How to reach us

Thuringian State Development Corporation (LEG Thüringen)

Mainzerhofstrasse 12 | 99084 Erfurt
Telephone: 0361 5603-0
Write an email

A fertile ground for entrepreneurial success

Thuringia is a good location for sustainable and stable business growth – as the following two examples demonstrate. The South African dump truck manufacturer Bell Equipment celebrated its 20th anniversary in Eisenach-Kindel, in western Thuringia. Cookie producer Griesson – de Beukelaer – even celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Free State, opening a new production hall in Kahla, in eastern Thuringia, in the presence of Thuringia's Minister-President Bodo Ramelow.
Official visit: the focus is on the Prinzen Rolle (a type of chocolate-covered wafer roll).

Official visit: the Prinzen Rolle in view of (from left) Andreas Land (shareholder Griesson - de Beukelaer), Bodo Ramelow (Minister-President of Thuringia), Marco Geimer (Griesson - de Beukelaer, plant manager Kahla plant), Dr. Andreas Heller (District Administrator of the Saale-Holzland district). Photo: Claudia Preuß

The huge dump trucks that Bell Equipment has been building in the "Kindel" industrial area near Eisenach for 20 years.

The giant dump trucks that Bell Equipment has been building for 20 years in the "Kindel" industrial park near Eisenach. Image: LEG Thüringen, Photographer: Susann Nuernberger

Cookies from Kahla are known far beyond the borders of the state – and these confectionery and baked goods are now produced at one of the largest and most modern facilities in Europe. Shortly after German reunification, the company chose Thuringia as its location, thus beginning a success story in the heart of Germany. At the end of June, coinciding with the anniversary, €140 million was invested in the new production hall. The famous "Prinzenrolle" (a type of German cookie) comes from Kahla, as do soft cakes, cookies, and pastry mixes. Every year, 600 employees produce more than 80,000 tons of baked goods for customers worldwide.

With over 270 employees, Bell Equipment has a strong presence in western Thuringia. Twenty years ago, the international corporation established its first production facility outside of South Africa there, and the Thuringian site has experienced continuous growth. Most recently, in 2019 and 2022/23, additional space was brought into operation and the product range expanded. Currently, the Thuringian plant manufactures around 500 heavy transport vehicles for earthmoving and mining annually, supplying customers in Europe, North America, and Asia. (hw)

Share this article:

[linguise]