Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) is developing a modern HEI-TECH industrial park at its Wiesloch/Walldorf site and has gained a strong partner in VGP, a European provider of high-quality industrial and commercial real estate. In this connection, the VGP group has acquired a further 80,000 square meters of space from Heidelberg. A corresponding purchase agreement was signed by both companies. Together with the approximately 130,000 sqm already acquired a year ago, VGP plans to establish an innovative, sophisticated office and technology quarter in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region in close cooperation with Heidelberg. The first construction measures in the HEI-TECH industrial park are scheduled to take place as early as calendar year 2022.
The total areas of Heidelberg and VGP will be combined to form the integrated HEI-TECH industrial park with the aim of developing an innovative production, office, and technology quarter. Heidelberg and the production and research companies to be located in the future will thus be able to benefit from each other’s expertise and achieve sustainable synergies in various areas.
“We are delighted to be able to take the next step in the development of our HEI-TECH industrial park in Wiesloch/Walldorf with VGP,” said Rainer Hundsdörfer, chief executive officer of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG. “For us, it is crucial that new, forward-looking developments are now being created quickly and visibly in our industrial park with modern commercial and industrial uses – with qualified, good jobs for people in the region and synergies with Heidelberg’s capabilities. The industrial park is another component of our successful transformation into a technology company. In addition, more efficient use of space at Heidelberg will save us considerable costs in the future.”
Jan Van Geet, chief executive officer of VGP, is also very pleased about the acquisition of the site, “We are very pleased that we have succeeded in acquiring this unique property. In close and trusting cooperation with the seller Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG and the responsible parties of the cities of Wiesloch and Walldorf, we were able to realize the acquisition very quickly. We plan to strategically realign the site and develop a modern industrial and commercial park here for longterm tenants from a variety of sectors. In this way, we want to make a sustainable contribution to the creation of new jobs and the economic development of the region.” Van Geet adds, “Sustainability and energy efficiency are key parameters for the properties developed by VGP. These aspects will also play a central role in the development in Wiesloch/Walldorf.”
Heidelberg’s further milestone at Wiesloch/Walldorf
For Heidelberg, the project is a further milestone in the planned site and structural optimizations in Wiesloch/Walldorf. The Wiesloch/Walldorf site covers a total area of around 840,000 square meters. Of this, more than 200,000 square meters will be remarketed with VGP as part of the planned site and structure optimizations. Almost 5,000 employees currently work at the site. Heidelberg will achieve a purchase price in the mid double-digit million-euro range. The transaction is scheduled to be completed in financial year 2022/23.
VGP is a family-owned European developer, operator and owner of high-quality logistics and commercial real estate. The company has a fully integrated business model and many years of experience along the entire value chain, from land acquisition and development to asset and property management. The VGP Group operates in thirteen European countries and remains on track for success. In Europe, the family-owned company based in Antwerp, Belgium, now operates 94 parks in twelve countries.
