Industrial and Commercial Transformation
Strategies for Site Development, Transformation, and Relocation
Companies are under immense pressure to transform in response to the current energy and climate crisis, new ESG requirements, material shortages, disruptive technologies such as AI, changes in production, and the intensified war for talent. To remain competitive, sites, buildings, and production processes must respond to market demands faster than ever while remaining economically viable, flexible, and sustainable.
Industrial companies, in particular, face many questions:
- How can my site remain future-proof?
- How can I optimize existing spaces?
- How can I reduce costs and increase efficiency under uncertain conditions?
- How can I meet ESG requirements within existing structures?
- When does relocating a site make sense?
With decades of industry experience, we help companies successfully navigate site development with confidence. Our expert engineers, consultants, and project managers come from a wide range of disciplines and bring extensive expertise in planning, construction, and project management. With a strong focus on digitalization and sustainability, we consider the entire lifecycle of a site project, from planning to implementation, while taking a holistic, integrated, and independent approach. Turning vision to value.
Strategic Starting Points: Optimization or Closure, Expansion or New Build
Industrial companies find themselves at many different stages and scenarios of site development. In many cases, it's not just a single measure, but rather fundamental strategic decisions ranging from development and densification to relocation or completely rethinking a site.
The best option depends on many factors, including market developments, product strategy, site quality, regulatory requirements, costs, and land availability.
Existing production sites often hold significant untapped potential. The objective is to reduce costs, space requirements, and emissions while increasing productivity, flexibility, and competitiveness, all during ongoing operations.
Key Questions:
How can I adapt my property to continuously evolve core processes?
How can I unlock additional value from my existing portfolio and real estate assets?
Which use and redevelopment options are economically viable?
How can I meet ESG and CO₂ targets within existing structures?
Which investments are economically sound and future-proof?
How We Can Support (Excerpt from Our Services):
- Site analysis
- Strategic master planning for the site
- Factory, layout, and material flow optimization
- Building and MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) assessment of existing structures
- ESG, CO₂, and decarbonization strategy
- Economic feasibility studies and investment scenarios
- Implementation during ongoing operations
Expanding an existing site is often driven by growth, new technologies, or changes in value creation that require additional space. At the same time, expansion areas are limited, approval processes are complex, and surrounding environments are sensitive.
Key Questions:
Are existing land and infrastructure reserves sufficient?
How can expansions be efficiently integrated into existing structures?
How can the site remain scalable in the long term?
What impact will new uses have on traffic, energy demand, and the environment?
How We Can Support (Excerpt from Our Services):
- Site potential and expansion analysis
- Strategic master planning for the site
- Integrated factory and building design
- Growth and target planning
- Infrastructure and energy concept development
- Permitting processes and feasibility studies
- ESG and sustainability integration
- Project and construction management
A new site offers the opportunity to align production processes, buildings, and infrastructure with future requirements, from smart factories and sustainable energy supply to campus and mobility concepts.
Key Questions:
Which location ensures long-term competitiveness?
How can production, logistics, and building concepts be optimally integrated?
What requirements arise from funding frameworks, ESG, and regulations?
How quickly can a project be realized in terms of planning and approvals?
How We Can Support (Excerpt from Our Services):
- Site selection and due diligence
- Master planning and site concept development
- Growth and target planning
- Factory and production planning
- Energy, infrastructure, and mobility concepts
- Approval procedures and feasibility studies
- ESG and funding strategy
- Project, construction, and EPCM/EPC management
Outdated buildings, high operating costs, limited expansion opportunities, and regulatory requirements can make existing sites economically unviable. In such cases, the question arises whether to relocate, consolidate, or to fully close sites.
Key Questions:
When does refurbishment become more expensive than new construction or relocation?
Which site options align with future production strategy?
How can the value of surplus land or properties be secured or increased?
What risks and time constraints need to be considered?
How We Can Support (Excerpt from Our Services):
- Strategic site and supply chain analysis
- Feasibility studies
- Market valuation of existing sites
- Cost-benefit and risk analysis
- Site search and evaluation
- Redevelopment and repurposing concepts
- Decision-making and implementation support
- Transaction management
Successful site decisions require a holistic view of processes and production, as well as buildings and infrastructure. This is where our integrated, well-founded, and economically robust approach comes into play.
Our Services at a glance
From strategic decisions to measurable results – tailored solutions from one trusted partner.
Site development is not a one-off project but a continuous cycle. Market demands change, technologies evolve, and conditions become complex. That's why we support companies with our holistic approach, from ongoing operations through transformation and implementation to the next stage of development.
Your added value
We go beyond consulting—we deliver tailored solutions. From the initial idea to a sustainable, future-ready site.
Your benefits:
- Measurable results for your site transformation
- Synergies through a single point of contact
- More than 50 years of industry experience and sector expertise
- Deep technical expertise and interdisciplinary collaboration across more than 80 locations worldwide
That’s Why You Should Choose Drees & Sommer.
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