Editor's Note
This editor’s note highlights the key facts and market implications behind “Codex Launches State-of-the-Art Dry Mortar Produ”, with emphasis on sourcing, product fit, fabrication, logistics, or buyer impact.
On October 20, 2018, around 400 invited guests attended the opening of codex's new production facility in the Ulm Danube Valley. Customers of the construction chemistry specialist celebrated the scheduled launch of the state-of-the-art dry mortar plant together with management, employees, project participants, and suppliers. After just one and a half years of construction, the new plant of codex GmbH & Co. KG is complete, and employees have already moved into the new building. The 10,000 m² site houses a high-end production plant for powder products and an administrative building with a research and development center as well as training rooms. Production is already running at full speed.
Tilers and trade partners from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands came to celebrate the official opening on October 20, 2018, and the start of production at codex's new plant. As usual, fun and enjoyment were not in short supply during the day and later in the evening. Instead of the usual symbolic handover of the plant key by Axel Nething, Managing Director of the planning office Nething Generalplaner, to Mario Meuler, Managing Director of codex GmbH & Co. KG, he presented one of a total of 500 miniature Einsteins by concept artist Ottmar Hörl.
“A key handover would be boring,” Nething summarized. “That doesn’t suit codex. Because one thing codex certainly is not: boring.” Hörl’s artwork fits the company, the brand, and the Ulm location much better.
A highlight of the day was the tour of the new building.
“The heart of our production is housed in the new 34 m high production tower,” explains Mario Meuler. “With this production plant, we are at the cutting edge of technology and capable of producing up to 60,000 tons of powder products per year. This allows us to respond more flexibly and precisely to customer requests and significantly expand our previous capacities.”
In the new dry mortar plant, tile adhesives are primarily produced; grouts, screeds, and fillers are also part of the codex brand's product range. These will be developed in the plant's own research center in the future. The new spacious training rooms also offer more opportunities for knowledge transfer regarding products for professional tilers – for both customers and employees.
Modern, Open Space Concept
The three-story administrative building houses modern meeting rooms, the new training center, and an inviting canteen on the ground floor. On the first floor, application technicians work hand in hand with colleagues from research and development.
“These short distances enable us to work even closer to the market to address our customers’ needs,” says Mario Meuler.
The top floor houses corporate management, product management, and marketing. Particular emphasis was placed here on an open space concept. All employees can work mobile and have the opportunity to meet, exchange ideas, or retreat in informal spaces. A creative lounge also provides atmospheric variety, strengthening both the fun at work and the team climate.
Building Combines Functionality, Appealing Aesthetics, and Ecology
codex's new plant features, among other things, a photovoltaic system, a water heat pump, a buffer storage tank of over 4,000 liters, and a central ventilation system with heat recovery. Cooling is generated using heat pump technology, drinking water is treated, heat from the server room is recovered and used as energy.
In total, 20,000 m³ of earth was excavated, 5,000 m³ of concrete and nearly 1,200 tons of steel were installed. Throughout the entire construction period, around 25 companies were involved in the construction project. For the massive reinforced concrete foundation of the dry mortar tower alone, 450 tons of steel were required. The investment volume is around 20 million euros. Managing Director Mario Meuler is thrilled:
“All those involved have done a fantastic job. Everything went according to plan, from the groundbreaking in April 2017 to the move-in in September and the inauguration in October 2018. We are also proud of the high-quality large-format tiles that were installed almost everywhere in the administrative building – naturally with codex products.”
The codex brand originated in 2007 from UZIN Fliese/Naturstein – with 15 employees. On January 1, 2017, Uzin Utz AG spun off the installation materials for tiles and natural stone division and founded codex GmbH & Co. KG. Today, around 75 employees belong to the company, and the codex brand is represented in 10 countries.
Source: Read the original article | Published: October 25, 2018