New location for WAS in Emsbüren: consolidation and future orientation
A step into the future

After over 30 years of company history, Wietmarscher Ambulanz- und Special Vehicles GmbH (WAS) has taken a significant step: The relocation of the sites to Emsbüren marks a new era in the company's development. The previous location in Wietmarschen could no longer meet the increasing demands and space requirements for the growing number of orders. The company therefore looked for a way to combine production, storage and administration in one place in order to optimise logistics and efficiency. We present the view of the rescue magazine on this topic here.

From the tranquil Wietmarschen to Emsbüren

Over the years, WAS in Wietmarschen had expanded, but the potential for further expansion was exhausted. At times, rescue vehicles even had to be stored on the local shooting range to make room for operations. The decentralisation of the various locations led to logistical challenges, as dedicated trucks were only used for transport between the locations. The working atmosphere also suffered from the division, as employees at the different locations had little contact with each other.

After an intensive search, the choice fell on Emsbüren, a town with excellent transport links that is ideal for the new WAS location. A new, modern centre for WAS production and administration is being built on a 37,600-square-metre site starting in 2020.

[Translate to English:] WAS im Rettungs-Magazin

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[Translate to English:] Luftaufnahme der WAS am Standort in Emsbüren

A modern location for modern challenges

The move was successfully completed in December 2021, and Emsbüren has been the company's new headquarters since January 2022. Most of the approximately 400 employees remained loyal to WAS and moved with the company to Emsbüren. Despite the move, Wietmarschen remains anchored in WAS's corporate history. The former headquarters will continue to be used to handle urgent major projects.

The new site offers a production area of 13,400 square metres and 2,000 square metres for administration. The modern architecture of the building is complemented by a highlight steeped in history: a classic ambulance car, a Mercedes-Benz 170 S-D, in sparkling chrome, symbolises the history and tradition of the company.

Focus on sustainability and energy efficiency

The new building also sets standards in terms of energy. The production halls are equipped with energy-saving dark radiators, while the administration wing is heated by modern heat pumps. A planned photovoltaic system should enable even more energy savings in the future. In the in-house car wash, attention is also paid to water recovery, which means that 80% of the water used can be reused.

The topic of electric mobility is also actively promoted: 16 charging stations for electric vehicles are currently being installed at the new location. Since 2019, WAS has been using only green electricity generated by hydropower.

A step into the future

With the new site in Emsbüren, WAS has set the course for the future. The modern infrastructure and the centralisation of the company's activities will allow the company to develop further and meet the increasing demands of the market. At the same time, WAS remains a reliable employer in the region, continuing to offer apprenticeships and career opportunities.