The forklift dealer invested over EUR4 million in the new facility.

Yale dealer Appenfelder GmbH has celebrated its 60th anniversary with the official opening of its new 12,000 sqm (129,167 sqft.) premises in Wiehl-Marienhagen, 40 km (25 mi.) east of Cologne.

Yale Europe Materials Handling says the forklift dealer invested over EUR4 million (USD4.9 million) in the purpose-built offices, workshop and warehouse. The new dealership was built on a recently developed business park and overlooks the main Cologne A 4 highway.

Designed and developed with input from company employees, the new facility consists of a 971 sqm (10,452 sqft.) open workshop, a 1,264 sqm (13,696 sqft.) warehouse and modern offices situated on two 978 sqm (10,527 sqft.) floors.

"It was really amazing how quickly the project came together and the building was completed. It is evidence of the great teamwork we have in our organisation," says managing director Gerlinde Appenfelder, who is the daughter of founder Waldemar Appenfelder.

Waldemar founded the company 60 years ago in a small building in Nümbrecht-Drinsahl.

The design work on the new facility commenced in May 2011 and staff were able to move into the new premises at the end of December.

Ralf Mock, managing director of NACCO Materials Handling Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa, said in a short speech that the opening of the new building signaled to the market that
"Appenfelder has a strong belief in the future and the brands they represent".

According to Yale, the new offices, warehouse and workshop do not only look modern, but use a highly effective and energy-efficient heating system, reusing and recirculating the warmth that is produced in other parts of the building.

The design also maximises the use of natural in the workshop and warehouse so that energy needed for artificial lighting is minimised and employees enjoy "a natural atmosphere".

Appenfelder GmbH and its sister company, Sixt Foerdertechnik GmbH & Co. KG, have been exclusive Yale dealers since 2001, and are part of the 18 Yale independent dealer network in Germany.

They are complete materials handling and transport solution providers rather than forklift, working platform and cleaning machine sales and service companies.

Gerlinde Appenfelder and her nephew, Michael Breunig, are the only family members working in the business.