Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser have recently celebrated the beginning of construction of the Innovation Campus at Sennheiser headquarters in Wennebostel, Germany with a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. The Innovation Campus, which will cost around 20 million Euros, will provide approximately 7,000 square metres of optimum, modern workspace for employees, as well as room for an events facility. As stated by Dr. Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser, CEOs of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG., "with the Innovation Campus we will have room to further develop Sennheiser's innovative company culture. Today we are laying the foundation for lots of creative ideas which will form the basis of future success." Construction work should be completed by the end of 2014.
On behalf of all shareholders and accompanied by family members Karin, Daniel, Alannah and Dinah Sennheiser, Dr Andreas Sennheiser welcomed the guests to the ceremony. "As the third generation, it is a great pleasure for us to be able to build on our grandfather's legacy. Today we are laying the foundation for the Innovation Campus, which marks a new milestone in our development plan", said Dr Andreas Sennheiser.
For the laying of the foundation stone, along with his brother Daniel and sister Alannah, Dr Andreas Sennheiser filled a ‘time-capsule' with documents and products which symbolise the importance of Sennheiser's innovative company culture. The contents included a photograph of the three generations of the Sennheiser family, a current annual report, new Euro coins and a daily newspaper. Also included were the classic microphone MD 421, the IE 800 ear canal phones and a digital handheld transmitter SKM 9000 from the Digital 9000 system. The MD 421 is one of the best-known microphones in the world; the IE 800 is the headphone containing the most innovations per square millimetre and the Digital 9000 system has been developed for all professional users in broadcast studios, theatres and live performances unwilling to comprise on sound. And because every idea begins on a piece of blank paper, pens and paper completed the contents of the ‘time-capsule' as a symbol of the brainstorming, which takes place within the company. Dr Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser then came to break ground, thereby marking the beginning of the construction of the Innovation Campus.
As part of an extensive site development plan, the Innovation Campus represents a clear commitment to Sennheiser's company roots. A modern building complex will be developed on an area of approximately 3,200 square metres. Office space on three floors will offer 300 employees space for collaborative work and dedicated project areas. Part of the building fits in with the local architecture of sandstone-coloured clinker brick. The three ‚fingers‘ will also adopt the architectural style of the existing buildings on the site.
With its cubist geometry, this part of the building stands out thanks to its shape and materials, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows, which flood the building with light. In contrast, the facade of the 199-seat events building will boast a modern surface of curved aluminium scales in light silver. This is an innovative approach, which also incorporates green areas to encourage people to relax in the forecourt. "We will be welcoming visitors here from all over the world", says Dr Andreas Sennheiser. "With our clients - artists such as P!NK - we will be able to try out the microphones that we have developed specifically for them in the theatre." Furthermore, a Sennheiser Flagship Store is also planned, where visitors will be able to learn about, and purchase, the latest products.