Skip to main content

Efficient concrete production in Germany

A German concrete producer, Thomas Beton, is boosting its operating efficiency by using the latest plants. The firm is now producing high-quality ready-mix for a range of projects in North Germany. Thomas Beton is strengthening its local presence and produces concrete at 26 facilities across the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony. Producing materials closer to operating sites helps lower transportation distances and reduce logistics costs for its clients. When the firm w
January 11, 2019 Read time: 3 mins
German concrete producer Thomas Beton now has Ammann Elba concrete plants
A German concrete producer, Thomas Beton, is boosting its operating efficiency by using the latest plants. The firm is now producing high-quality ready-mix for a range of projects in North Germany.


Thomas Beton is strengthening its local presence and produces concrete at 26 facilities across the German states of Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Bremen and Lower Saxony. Producing materials closer to operating sites helps lower transportation distances and reduce logistics costs for its clients.

When the firm was prepared to build a new facility in Elmshorn, it turned to 6791 Ammann, which had already supplied plants for eight Thomas facilities. The concrete producer opted for an Ammann CBS 120 SL Elba Concrete-Mixing Plant featuring a frequency-controlled skip hoist. It offers theoretical output of up to 121m³/hour but has a compact footprint and requires minimal space.

The customer also opted for the Ammann CEM 2660 S Elba Single-Shaft Compulsory Mixer. This unit features the proven double helix design, which is said to offer high mixing intensity and fast homogenisation. Another benefit is the novel cleaning system, which simplifies maintenance work.

To meet the requirements of the site at Elmshorn, the Ammann CEL 210/6 Elba Linear Storage Bin was lowered by 3m to allow grade-level filling. This eliminated the need for an approach ramp, and additives such as steel fibres are now discharged directly onto the weighing belt at grade level. The opposite filling opening was increased to optimise filling and utilisation of the chamber volume. The segment dosing seals are operated pneumatically, and their opening width can be adjusted freely.

As Thomas Beton already has experience with the Ammann CBS Elba plant, the specifications were defined quickly and construction of the customised plant got off to a prompt start. In its basic version, the Ammann CBS Elba plant is installed on concrete foundations, but mounting on a steel frame without foundations is an option. Chamber walls and partitions are keyed for assembly of the linear batcher. Pre-installation of components such as the skip hoist track and the segment dosing seals saves time on-site.

The unit is designed to cope with both hot summer and cold winter conditions. Even at midwinter temperatures, smooth mixing operation is said to be optimised by insulated housing together with a hot air/hot water system to heat the aggregates in the linear batcher and the feed water needed for the concrete.

This is the ninth Ammann-Elba plant installed at a Thomas Beton concrete facility and further orders seem likely in the future.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • More efficient asphalt output from new plants
    November 20, 2015
    Advances in asphalt plant design offer major gains in product throughput and quality, while also allowing for warm asphalt and increased recycling The asphalt sector is constantly looking for ways to optimise production, lower costs and improve product quality and consistency. Competition is fierce in the asphalt plant market, with several of the key companies working hard to develop new and more efficient technologies, as well as equipment that is more versatile and more mobile. Advances have been made
  • Innovating sustainability: The amo/Debus Gruppe and the high-tech asphalt plant in Hof, Germany
    July 29, 2025
    Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Untersiemau near Coburg, Germany, the amo/Debus Gruppe has grown into a leading force in the building materials and construction logistics industry. With more than 20 locations strategically spread across Northern Bavaria, Thuringia, and Saxony, the company has firmly established itself as a reliable partner in infrastructure development and sustainable construction.
  • Innovations in plant development
    September 19, 2024
    Several of the major manufacturers are offering key innovations for the asphalt plant segment – Mike Woof writes
  • Major gains in concrete plant technology
    June 28, 2013
    There is a great deal of innovation across the concrete plant, pump and truck mixer sector. Guy Woodford looks at what some of the sector’s biggest names are offering. CIFA managing director Davide Cipolla believes the Zoomlion-owned Italian firm has “not reached the limit” of what it can offer customers, thanks to a significant investment in research and development. Speaking about a US$2.57 million-a-year (€2million) R&D investment in CIFA and some Zoomlion products over the last five years Cipolla, who i