Construction Diary: Insights into the build

RUWI —and doing so sustainably. Right here in the Black Forest, we’re building our new company headquarters. And because our roots run deep in Fluorn-Winzeln, we’re building it right here.

In this construction diary, we'll take you behind the scenes. You'll see how an initial sketch gradually becomes reality.

October 2022

Our ideas always start in our own workshop. We built the first design of the new building ourselves as a prototype—a practical way to understand what we really need. Our previous workshop had become too small, and its location right in the heart of town left little room to grow. We wanted RUWI for the next generation and create more space for future developments.

Homemade building model prototype with RUWI — Prototype building with our lift tables

October 2024

After intensive planning, October finally arrived: Together with Mayor Rainer Betschner and our architects from W:Architekten (now Arc+) from Freudenstadt, we celebrated the official start of construction.

Official groundbreaking ceremony with the mayor, architects, and contractors. — Groundbreaking with W:Architects, contractors, and Volksbank

November 2024

The topsoil was carefully removed. Now five dump trucks are shuttling back and forth, taking the excavated earth to the nearby landfill.

Earthworks from a bird's-eye view. — Earthworks begin, seen from a bird's-eye view

December 2024

The construction pros are digging strip foundations, and the first concrete is rolling onto the site. We made sure the foundations can handle the loads from our machines and workshop equipment.

Pouring concrete for the strip foundations. — Pouring the foundations

January 2025 (concrete core activation)

Before the concrete was poured, we laid about 4,000 linear meters of tubing in the reinforcement. These tubes will later be used for concrete core activation to heat and cool the building – combined with air-source heat pumps, it provides the building with heat from renewable energy.

Concrete core activation: hoses laid in the reinforcement. — Concrete core activation

February 2025 (floor slab)

Our construction partners, the Firma Sieber, poured the floor slab in three sections. The result is a level, load-bearing surface – the foundation for everything else.

Pouring the floor slab in several sections — Pouring the floor slab

May 2025

For us, it was clear from the start: our timber comes from home. We consciously chose CLT elements from Holzbauwerk Schwarzwald – for the short transport routes and out of connection to the Black Forest and responsibility towards the region. Piece by piece, the carpenters (Zimmerei Ginter) are assembling the components – and our new building is taking its clear shape.

Assembly of the CLT timber elements by Ginter Carpentry — Timber construction kicks off with Ginter Carpentry

June 2025 (Roof and PV system)

The roof is finished, and seven truck trailers full of roof elements were installed. The PV system aims to cover as much of our energy needs as possible with electricity.

New building with a covered roof — New building with roof installed

July 2025

The interior fit-out requires craftsmanship and creative solutions. Window installers, electricians, heating and ventilation experts, and drywallers are now on site. We deliberately chose local trades and had many discussions with them to ensure they were a good fit for our company. The interior is developing quickly, and there's a lot of activity on the construction site.

We plan to move in by the end of the year. Preparations are already underway, with every step carefully planned so we can start operations smoothly. We're looking forward to filling the new building with life and a passion for craftsmanship.

Interior fit-out: Electrical installation — Interior fit-out – Electrics

Construction site – Trades at work — Contractors in action

Installation of the post-and-beam facade

August 2025

The construction site is still bustling. The outdoor facilities are currently taking shape. 34 truckloads of gravel are forming the base for paths and surfaces – solid and load-bearing, the foundation for the asphalt.

Outdoor facilities construction: Gravel sub-base — Outdoor area under construction

Finished asphalt surface around the building — Finished asphalt surface

September 2025

Things are changing inside too: the warehouse is moving, and new structures are emerging. A shelving system is currently being installed, offering space for up to 260 pallets – a key part of future logistics.

Assembly of the new pallet racking in the warehouse — Assembly of the new pallet racking

October 2025

After a short break, work on the outdoor facilities continued. The parking lots were paved, the last exterior louvers were installed by the carpenters, and the final sheet metal work was completed. From the outside, the building is now pretty much finished – the project is entering its final phase.

Paved parking spots all around the building — Paved parking spots

Aerial shot of the completed new building with its outdoor area — Aerial shot of the completed new building

November 2025

We’ve arrived. RUWI new home RUWI at Obercarsdorfer Straße 10 in 78737 Fluorn-Winzeln. What began as a rough sketch in 2022 has become a wooden building where work is now being carried out.

Completed RUWI with a dark wood facade and company sign in Fluorn-Winzeln — RUWI New Home RUWI Fluorn-Winzeln

Behind the timber facade, the machines are running, the warehouse is set up, and development is still tinkering with the next idea. The ceiling made of local timber, which we watched being installed, now supports our workshop.

Machine shop of the new RUWI with an exhaust system beneath an exposed wooden ceiling — The workshop is humming along under its local wood ceiling

Right in the thick of it, our own tool is in action: the lifting table XL Akku, which uses electric power working height up to 400 kg to working height . That’s exactly why we RUWI —tools from the workshop, for the workshop.