The KARL STORZ medical device company opens its Berlin visitor & training centre at the historic Empress Augusta Hospital

The conversion preserved the historic charm of the building, which was originally constructed in 1868, and harmoniously complemented it with modern elements. The former hospital has become a KARL STORZ location housing offices and a modern visitor and training center in a central location (Berlin-Mitte). As in the past, the building is used to benefit medical science as well as patients. Hence, the medical device manufacturer not only preserved medical history but gave it a – modified – future.

On the two opening days of October 10 and 11, 2013, KARL STORZ presented itself in the new building. Speakers and guests of honor included Volker Kauder, member of federal parliament and chairperson of the CDU/CDU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Guido Wolf, member of state parliament and President of the State Parliament of Baden-Württemberg, and Professor emer. Johanna Bleker, who until 2004 headed the "Institute for the History of Medicine and Ethics in Medicine" at Charité Berlin.

Nearly two years of construction created 8,000 m² of floor space on which KARL STORZ can house, under a single roof, organizational units that were previously spread throughout Berlin. In the future, sales activities, repair service through "service vehicles", and clinical software development will be based here to benefit from closer proximity and improved interfaces.
"We see Berlin as a wonderful location that not only combines medicine, IT, and other technologies from a development perspective, but where we also have an excellent physician network to test new developments for their clinical benefits. Furthermore, our on-site staff offers optimal care and support to our customers", stated Dr. h.c. mult. Sybill Storz, managing director of KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, in her opening speech.

In addition to bringing together the activities of subsidiaries as well as affiliated companies, the building will serve as an event venue for holding high-caliber medical education events. The building is available to medical users and organizers of continuing education events as a meeting location for lectures, live surgeries, and endoscopy training sessions using innovative KARL STORZ equipment.

Asked how this strategic investment fits into the general business strategy steered from the Tuttlingen headquarters, Dr. Sybill Storz responded: "We have had our own subsidiaries in Berlin since the 1990s. Our Berlin activities are therefore not new, but they are strategically strengthened through the new building. The Berlin location will in no way weaken our traditional Tuttlingen headquarters. Instead, this step optimally complements our services, strengthens our networks, and underscores our goal of being close to the customer."

The building will serve as a dialog platform for customers, partners, and German staff as well as international guests. Karl-Christian Storz, representing the third generation of the family in the business, has been on the company's management board since 2007 and serves as deputy to his mother, Dr. Sybill Storz. His primary responsibilities are global structures in Research & Development and Production. He spoke as well at the opening of the new building: "Our company has been in close dialog with product users for more than 68 years. This is the only way we can create innovations that benefit patients. Our strong desire to promote professional exchange will also characterize the future use of our Berlin location."