LUDWIGSBURG. From the outside the building impresses with its sober, but high-quality façade made of spruce wood. The extensive glazing allows an interesting view into the entrance area. In the new building of Ludwigsburg’s Zedler-Group, the expert institute for bicycles and e-bikes, passion literally hangs from the walls: Several bicycles clearly show where the company heart beats.
Just in time for the 25th anniversary of the company Dirk Zedler had the “innovative energy-efficient building” inaugurated. Honoured guests like Baden-Wuerttemberg’s Minister of Transport Winfried Hermann, Ludwigsburg’s Mayor Werner Spec or Bernhard Lange, presidium member of the German bicycle association ZIV showed themselves impressed. Hermann opened his speech in saying that he would also be fond of working in such a building.
One highlight inside is the seminar room with integrated museum. Bicycles from all ages hang on the walls. “They are part of Dirk Zedler’s collection and that of a friend”, reports test engineer Norman Thalheimer. The company draws up more than 900 expert’s report per year. According to Thalheimer they neither repair nor produce own bicycles. Zedler’s main business is prototype testing. Every individual part has its own test stand. This allows simultaneous tests of saddles, frames or handlebars at the same time. “Compared to our former laboratory we have tripled the test stands”, says Thalheimer. “This ensures fast testing. That makes the difference between us and other laboratories.” It was already in the spring months of the past year that the team members moved into the new facilities.