FRANCOTYP-POSTALIA TO MOVE TO BERLIN IN OCTOBER 2014

Francotyp-Postalia Holding AG, the first multi-channel provider for mail communications und accredited De-Mail provider, is relocating its company headquarters from Birkenwerder in Brandenburg to Berlin. In October 2014, more than 200 employees of the company will move into a prestigious administrative building at Prenzlauer Promenade 28 in Berlin-Pankow. The corresponding rental agreement was concluded in late December 2013.

“The relocation to Berlin visibly reflects the FP Group’s development. Originally just a franking machine manufacturer, it has now become a multi-channel provider for mail communications – with franking machines, postal services and software solutions,” explains Hans Szymanski, CEO and CFO of FP. “Wittenberge stands for production. Berlin stands for innovation,” he adds.

Berlin has played an important role for Francotyp-Postalia since the company's foundation in 1923 and was already a company location in the early days of Francotyp-Postalia’s history. The headquarters were previously located in the city for a time during the 1980s and 1990s. So to some extent, the current decision means that the company will be returning to its old home. “In recent years, Berlin has become a stronghold for innovation and talent from all around the world,” says Szymanski. “FP will now become a part of this and will be able to expand its solutions business from a base in the capital.”

FP focuses administration, sales and product research and development in one location

In addition to administration, sales and product research and development will also be located in Berlin. FP is renting 5,062 m2 of office space for this purpose. The total space in Birkenwerder was considerably larger, as production was originally located here, too. Since 2012, all of FP’s manufacturing activities have been performed at a new, flexible production site in Wittenberge, Brandenburg. “We are very satisfied with production in Wittenberge and are planning to expand this as part of the move by locating production-related research and development there. We will thus maintain close ties with the state of Brandenburg,” explains Szymanski. The relocation will also make a major contribution to optimising processes at the global medium-sized company, which has more than 1,000 employees in total. Starting from 2015, this will result in annual cost savings that impact liquidity in the amount of approximately €1 million. The company therefore decided not to extend the rental agreement expiring at the end of 2014. “We are sending a signal with the move to Berlin. FP is staying true to its roots and looking to the future. Our relocation demonstrates this change both internally and externally. We are focussing all our efforts on implementing our current growth plans and developing the full potential of our company in all markets.”