Review of the year 2021

Rarely has a year been so full of challenges and also associated with so many trailblazing milestones for VIEROL AG!

As in 2020 before it, 2021 was dominated by the pandemic. The year was shaped by Covid measures, raw material and supply chain bottlenecks and travel restrictions, but also by many bright spots and hopeful expectations. While the Corona pandemic has turned life upside down on a global scale, many new prospects have emerged for VIEROL so that, despite the crisis, we can look back on growth, innovations and many great shared moments.

The new year began just as the old one had ended: with lockdowns and restrictions. Once the vaccine became available, people generally felt we had survived the worst that the Corona pandemic could throw at us. The economy picked up again and business recovered faster than the experts had dared to predict. At the same time, the industry struggled with supply chain difficulties and increasing costs for raw materials and energy. But Covid-19 was not the only topic that shaped 2021. Our review of the year summarises the main events for our company:

Biggest investment in the history of the company
One special highlight of 2021 was the inauguration of the new logistics centre WERK II in Rastede and the expansion of our company headquarters in Oldenburg. Apart from improving the available space situation, this measure also enhances our appeal as an employer. WERK II also makes the company’s overall intralogistics more efficient with positive effects for VIEROL customers all over the world who can look forward to even more reliable service and optimised delivery quality. The total investment amount of altogether 30 million Euro underlines VIEROL’s commitment to the site and to its growth targets.

New logistics centre WERK II
After only one year of construction, we ceremoniously opened our new logistics centre in Rastede. The invited guests included guest of honour Christian Wulff, former Prime Minister and Federal President, who praised the company’s courage in a speech. The new building represents the growth of the international vehicle parts specialist. Located on a 20,000 m² site, the new logistics centre and is a more than just a visual highlight. The new building is also exemplary in terms of resource efficiency and sustainability with an innovative energy concept.

Expanding company headquarters
During the summer we also moved into our new administration building. The office space has been doubled to altogether 7,000 m² for the company headquarters. The VIEROLINO day-care centre with 10 childcare places has also been expanded to a size of 200 square metres with its own garden.
Planning the new facilities focused particularly on the well-being of the workforce. Modern offices with air purifiers, meeting rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and tastefully furnished social points provide the ideal setting for a shared, future-oriented work approach. There is also an inhouse fitness centre to enhance the work/life balance.

Top SME employer 2021
For the fourth time, Focus Business (business magazine) and kununu (employer portal) have selected the best employers in Germany. VIEROL is one of the chosen few to receive the award that places us among the Top Companies in Germany. Besides the OLLY award of the City of Oldenburg for being a family-friendly company and the TOP TRAINING label of Oldenburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the particularly high standard of training, this is VIEROL’s third award which further embellishes the eventful year for the company.

At a distance but always connected
We were all pleased when team events were allowed again, heeding all the necessary safety measures of course, as a means of ensuring we don’t lose our team spirit despite hybrid work models and contact restrictions. Canoe tours, raft building contests, cookery courses, mudflat hiking tours or traditional bowling events were just some of the events held under the motto “we love team spirit”, giving staff a welcome opportunity once the incidence rates came down to indulge in some exercise, laughter and sharing after nearly twelve months of working under digital conditions.

Hopeful expectations for 2022
With the New Year just around the corner and two very turbulent years behind us, our thoughts turn automatically to the future as we look ahead at what is to come. Despite all the challenges, VIEROL AG looks back on the most successful financial year in its corporate history. This success has been achieved as a joint effort with our employees and business partners! For the year ahead, the company is poised for further growth in improved general conditions and looks forward with the whole workforce to an end to the pandemic.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish all VIEROL customers and business partners a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!