New lorry parking area opened in Dasing

The Rehlingen-based company Hörmann Reisen is venturing into new territory with the mobility centre at the junction of the B300 and A8 in Dasing. 75 lorry parking spaces have been created here and are now open to drivers.

The inauguration of the truck parking spaces at the Dasing Mobility Centre on Tuesday morning marks a major step into new territory for the family-run, long-established company Hörmann Reisen, headquartered in Rehling. A new location is being developed outside the company's own core business of coach travel. "We acquired the property in Dasing in 2010 and are now able to use it for its intended purpose after 15 years," explains company director Philipp Hörmann. For him and his family, the project represents "a major investment in the future of the company and a further mainstay," says Hörmann.

The company is also looking to the future with regard to the area currently designated as a reserve. A charging park for commercial vehicles is to be built here. A hydrogen and LNG filling station was actually planned at this location, An der Brandleiten 4 in Dasing, directly on the A8/B300, years ago, but then the market changed and political funding plans were cancelled. Hörmann reacted flexibly and is now using the "SteP" funding programme for truck parking spaces from the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM). Without this support, we would not have been able to realise this," he reported in his speech to the invited guests from politics and society as well as representatives of the press. From January, 65 car parking spaces will also be available for Hörmann-Reisen guests.

An ambitious goal has been achieved, says Philipp Hörmann, referring to the opening exactly one year to the day after the ground-breaking ceremony. In times like these, it is not only the adherence to the schedule that is remarkable, but also the fact that the project remained within budget. This shows what is possible when the companies in the region work together and pull in the same direction," says Philipp Hörmann. The aim from the outset was to keep the added value in the region. In cooperation with the municipality of Dasing, the Aichach-Friedberg district office and regional partners, it was possible to keep to the tight schedule set by the funding programme.

Mr Hörmann described the employees of the Osterried construction company as the most important people on the construction site. Managing Director Johannes Osterried in turn praised: "It is entrepreneurs like the Hörmann family who make a big difference in the region." It is small and medium-sized businesses where the money is earned from which we benefit in Germany." Even at first glance, the new car park for the lorries looks modern, clean and pleasant. What you don't see, however, is the civil engineering that lies beneath it or the huge drainage system. We moved 100,000 tonnes of material last year," revealed Osterried.

A humorous moment at the opening was provided by Philipp Hörmann presenting Sascha Pfannenschmidt from Terrae Immobilien GmbH with a gripper arm that had been converted into a "sceptre". The property developer described himself as the "caretaker" of the facility and said with a wink: "We actually wanted to take the property away from you." Hörmann rejected the offer at the time, but offered to work with him. This led to a friendship, according to Pfannenschmidt. He remembers: "When the first lorry arrived, we were as happy as little children."

Since Tuesday morning, the Dasing Mobility Centre car park has also been blessed in the literal sense by Friedberg's parish priest Steffen Brühl. The sky played along: The fog that prevailed at the beginning of the event was later chased away by rays of sunshine.

Peter Tomaschko, member of the state parliament, enthused that the facility had "turned out great" and mused: "I'm happy when there are a lot of lorries on the road, because that shows that something is happening in the economy." Family businesses and SMEs are the backbone of the district," said the politician. Thank you for your courage, said Marina Jakob, member of the state parliament, to the entrepreneurs. Dasing's mayor Andreas Wiesner praised the fact that the project had been realised at a time when the economy needed it and not when bureaucracy needed it. Deputy District Administrator Manfred Losinger was pleased that the breaks for lorry drivers, which the parking spaces would now promote, would contribute to their well-being and to general road safety.

The first lorries arrived immediately after the inauguration. Drivers not only benefit from amenities such as toilets and showers as well as benches for socialising: The Dasing farmers' market with its catering facilities is within walking distance.