B. Braun inaugurates Europe’s most modern production site in Saxony
Wilsdruff/Melsungen. On September 4th, B. Braun Melsungen AG opened up Europe’s most modern production site for dialyzers with a celebratory inauguration event in Wilsdruff. Dialyzers are filter units for the dialysis of people with chronic kidney failure. With this investment, B. Braun hopes to double its production capacity in Saxony.
Numerous guests were invited to the event, including Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, Saxon Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer, Saxon Minister of Economic Affairs Martin Dulig, and the Mayor of Wilsdruff Ralf Rother. Together with B. Braun Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Professor Dr. Ludwig Georg Braun, and Member of the Management Board of the B. Braun Avitum division, Markus Strotmann, they inaugurated the new construction.
"In Germany, currently around 100,000 patients are reliant on regular dialysis therapy. Dialysis is very strenuous for those affected, yet it is vital," underlined Minister of Health, Jens Spahn, in his speech. "B. Braun is making an important contribution to, high-quality medical care for people with chronic kidney failure. At the same time, today’s opening of the dialyzer production site is a clear commitment to the future of the industrial location of Saxony. With around 5.5 million employees, the healthcare economy in Germany is an important motor for the overall economy," explains Minister Spahn.
Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer also emphasized the added value for the region. “For Wilsdruff, Dresden, and all of Saxony, B. Braun, as a family business from Northern Hesse that operates around the world, is a true asset. The new production site here is a commitment to Saxony. Through the investment in the location, the company is creating attractive jobs in the region. It signals that investors can find economical and competition-friendly framework conditions here,” says Kretschmer.
The operator of the new filter factory is the corporate subsidiary B. Braun Avitum Saxonia GmbH, which already produces dialyzers in Radeberg and Berggießhübel. Altogether, the company is investing over 100 million euros in the new production site and creating around 140 jobs. "Companies like B. Braun that are active here in Saxony and continue to invest are important to us. That’s why the free state also contributed to the new construction with economic support of 6 million euros. I am thrilled that B. Braun is making a clear commitment to Saxony with this highly modern facility," explained Saxony’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Labor, Martin Dulig.
At the opening, Prof. Dr. Ludwig Georg Braun emphasized that the location of Saxony holds great meaning for B. Braun. "With our development and production sites, we have called the region our home for many years and with this strategically important investment, we are continuing to expand our economic commitment," explained Professor Braun. "Furthermore, with the Center of Excellence, the location also makes up the research and development center for dialyzers and filters and bears worldwide responsibility for this product group."
Background
B. Braun Avitum Saxonia GmbH
B. Braun Avitum Saxonia GmbH ranks among the world’s largest manufacturers of dialyzers. It produces dialyzers for the dialysis of people with chronic kidney failure. The high-tech fiber for the filtering of blood is spun at the Berggießhübel site, with the assembly of the dialyzers taking place in Radeberg. The new location in Wilsdruff is to expand the existing production network. In 2017, 13 million dialyzers were produced. Since 2004, the company has belonged to B. Braun Melsungen AG and has plants in Radeberg, Berggießhübel, Wilsdruff and Obernburg. As the Center of Excellence, the Dresden location has since 2011 been responsible for the further development of products and the production technology of filters for extracorporeal blood treatment for all B. Braun locations and employs more than 900 employees.
B. Braun Melsungen AG:
With 63,000 employees in 64 countries, the B. Braun family business ranks among the leading providers of solutions for the healthcare market worldwide and supplies users and patients with products and product systems for anesthesia, intensive medicine, cardiology, extracorporeal blood treatment, surgery, or the homecare sector, as well as with services for clinics and practicing doctors. In a constructive exchange with customers and partners, B. Braun promotes effective solutions that preserve people’s health and sustainably improve their lives. In 2017, the company recorded revenue of 6.8 billion euros.