Topping-out ceremony for new assembly hall

Invited to the ceremony were employees of the construction companies working on site, the architects and specialist planners involved, as well as groninger’s internal planning team and company management. The setting was intentionally down‑to‑earth, and the speeches were personal in tone.

In his address, Jens Groninger made clear that the occasion held special meaning for him personally. He reflected on his father, Horst Groninger, who passed away in November last year and for whom coming together with people from the company had always been important. Topping‑out ceremonies, in particular, had held a special place for him: “He would have really enjoyed this gathering,” said Jens Groninger. “For me, it is also a way of honouring what he has left behind.”

At the same time, the managing partner used the moment to reflect on the course of the project. “As a managing director, I am often contacted when something has escalated or when something that should have started still hasn’t,” Groninger explained. “The fact that this project has already progressed so far and that I can feel this sense of calm tells me: things are running smoothly - and for that, I am very grateful to all of you.”

His wife, Michaela Groninger, who is closely involved in the project as groninger’s in‑house architect and coordinates cooperation with the external planning partners, also adopted a very personal tone. In her address, she expressly thanked everyone involved and referred to personal encounters and moments from the joint planning and construction phase. It became clear how closely many of the collaborations have developed over the years - and in some cases, over decades. Several of the partners involved have been working with groninger for a long time, and some project participants are even accompanying the construction project beyond the regular retirement age. “We truly appreciate this enormously,” she emphasized.

These long-standing relationships were also highlighted from the partners’ perspective. Architect Horst Döllinger, speaking on behalf of the companies involved, thanked the Groninger family for the trust they have placed in them and for the continuous collaboration. Projects of this scale, Döllinger noted, thrive on reliability, clear decisions, and mutual respect.

That this interplay is working is now clearly visible on the construction site itself. On an area measuring approximately 85 by 85 meters, the new assembly hall with its adjoining administrative complex is steadily taking shape. Structural and steel construction have now been completed, and the building’s form is clearly recognizable. The next steps include enclosing the building: installing the roof, walls, and glass façades, followed by pouring the floor slab and fitting out the technical installations inside.

With an investment volume of more than 30 million euros, the new building represents the largest single investment in groninger’s history. For the global market leader, the project is part of a long-term commitment to the Crailsheim site and the region. “This is where the future is being built,” Jens Groninger affirmed - carried forward by the work of many dedicated contributors.