Citizen Machinery Europe GmbH (CME) is turning a new chapter in its corporate history: With the groundbreaking for the new European headquarters in the Scharnhausen-West industrial area of Ostfildern, the highly specialized machine manufacturer is setting the course for a location change and a growth-oriented, sustainable future. Around 8,000 square meters of office, training, and exhibition space, a technology competence center with an assembly hall, as well as workshop and storage areas will be created. In short: An innovative sales and production site equipped with the latest technology and designed for sustainability for around 70 employees in the future. The move from the former Esslingen location is planned for the end of 2026.
Citizen Machinery Europe GmbH stands for high-precision CNC turning technology, where Japanese and German innovation and engineering excellence come together at the highest level. As part of the globally operating Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., the company offers lathes under the Cincom and Miyano brands for a wide range of industries. These include customers from key industries such as the medical and electronics market segments, precision mechanics, mechanical engineering, aerospace, and automotive. The company is a world market leader in the field of long-turning machines. With state-of-the-art technologies such as the patented LFV machining for chip break control, Automatic Tool Changer ATC, automation concepts, and innovative turning-laser hybrid systems, Citizen consistently sets benchmarks in chip removal manufacturing as a pioneer and trendsetter. Customers benefit from the strength of a global market leader and the proximity of a partner with over 100 years of experience in the local market under the motto 'the global corporation next door.'
Setting the course for the future
CME has been located with its European headquarters for over 30 years on the outskirts of Esslingen city center, in the so-called old Boley area, and organizes the sales and service of Cincom long-turning and Miyano short-turning machines in the German-speaking region, the Benelux countries, and Eastern Europe from there. In addition, the turning machine specialists 'refine' the turning machines according to specific customer requirements, such as with loading and unloading options, software adaptations, or automation solutions from the recently newly established business field 'Automation.'
Due to growing demands for production capacity and sustainability, CME decided to move to Ostfildern. The land purchase agreement was signed in February 2025. Markus Reiβig, Managing Director of Citizen Machinery Europe GmbH: 'The old company premises near Esslingen city center posed a logistical challenge for us and our suppliers due to the topographical hillside location. Various renovation phases took place to better meet our needs. This was never achieved one hundred percent. With the development of larger and thus heavier machine types, static problems in the existing building also arose: These new tonnages cannot be accommodated at the previous headquarters in Esslingen and thus cannot be adequately presented to customers.'
Identity-strong, sustainable architectural concept
Citizen relies on companies for the new construction that align their actions and practices with their own corporate philosophy: The Vollack Group, headquartered in Karlsruhe, is responsible for general planning and construction execution and is a nationwide specialist for the methodical planning, construction, and revitalization of sustainable, energy-efficient buildings in the areas of office, industry, and health.
THOST Project Management GmbH, headquartered in Pforzheim, is another partner and is among the leading German companies in project management. THOST offers not only classic project management but also ESG consulting, sustainability strategies, and the implementation of forward-looking technologies such as hydrogen and e-mobility.
The company location in Ostfildern meets Citizen Machinery Europe's high standards for sustainability and efficiency: The new building with a gross floor area of around 8,000 square meters includes an office building with exhibition areas and production spaces. The material and color concept of the identity-strong architecture will follow the global Citizen Corporate Identity with white metal facades and dark window frames and surfaces that structure the building bodies. All office and administrative functions are arranged on one level.
The newly designed open-plan offices ensure shorter internal processes and communication in the fastest way among each other. On the ground floor, the public area with exhibition and cafeteria will extend into the customer-accessible testing area in the hall area. The large technology competence center with assembly hall and an engineering area for newly conceived business fields, such as automation solutions, completes the concept.
Markus Reiβig: 'With the symbolic groundbreaking for the new European headquarters, Citizen Machinery Europe is not only making a strong statement for growth and customer proximity - architecturally, Vollack is also making a special statement:' The design of the new building directly references the traditional roots of the parent company in watchmaking and precision mechanics. The architectural concept cites elements of a watch mechanism - such as the dial, the hands, or hour indices - and translates them into striking architectural details. Angled columns on the office building, strategically positioned window posts, and characteristic structures of the post-and-beam facade take up this design idea and make it constructively visible. The new building will thus not only be a functional location but also a visible symbol of precision, innovation, and origin.
A central theme is the sustainable energy supply via a district heating network, which, in combination with ground source heat pumps and air-water heat pumps, will cover the heating and cooling needs of the buildings. The concept is rounded off by photovoltaic areas on roofs and facades. Additional facade areas will also be partially greened.
Markus Reißig: "For CME, the Scharnhausen-West industrial area offers many advantages: such as the flat topography with quick access to the Stuttgart Trade Fair, the highway, and the airport. Furthermore, we can present ourselves as a company much better. All machines fit into the new exhibition space, and due to the good transport connections, a spacious meeting and cafeteria area, events for our business partners, customers, and dealers from home and abroad can be offered."
The future-oriented energy strategy of the municipality, which relies on geothermal energy, heat pumps, and renewable energies, as well as a future parking garage, combined with our own concept consisting of green roofs, solar systems, and battery storage, were also good arguments for investing here."
A remarkable accent is already being set with the new address: The future European headquarters of Citizen Machinery Europe will be located on Mária-Telkes-Straße – named after the Hungarian-American scientist and pioneer of solar technology. Mária Telkes, also known as the "Queen of the Sun," developed, among other things, the famous Dover Sun House, a solar heating system, and a solar oven, and held over 20 patents at the time of her death in 1995. The choice of this address not only emphasizes the municipality's clear commitment to future technology but also symbolizes CME's ambition to focus on resource-saving energy and building concepts.
Markus Reißig emphasized during the groundbreaking celebrations in the presence of Christof Bolay, Mayor of Ostfildern, the excellent support of the city of Ostfildern and highlighted their sustainable overall concept of the new industrial area as an important decision criterion: Markus Reißig: "With the investment in our new European headquarters, we are setting the course for our further development and the future challenges of efficiency, sustainability, and absolute customer orientation. We are all excited about the outcome and are already looking forward to the move at the end of 2026."
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