A year like this shows how dynamically food processing is changing.
Production processes are becoming more complex, hygiene requirements are increasing, and companies have to rebuild, modernize and remain fit for the future at the same time. For the Wirth Group, 2025 was a year full of movement – characterized by bold projects, challenging conversions of existing buildings and many discussions about where the industry is heading.
Between new technologies, higher standards and ever tighter spatial requirements, the Wirth Group has shown how strongly integrated planning and precise implementation can work together.
A market in upheaval: trends that shaped the year
Anyone planning or converting production spaces today will notice that requirements are increasing in all areas. This was particularly evident in the topics that most concerned our customers in 2025.
Hygiene as a strategic element
Cheese dairies, dairies and meat processors are increasingly working with stricter hygiene zones. Materials such as GRP, low-joint wall surfaces and modern hygienic doors have become the standard – supported by our expertise and documented in several specialist articles.
Changing production spaces
The meat and alternative protein industry is developing rapidly. This was evident in projects that had to combine zone separation, material flows and energy efficiency – often in existing buildings.
Holistic hygiene concepts
From the wall surface to the door, from the logistics zone to the cold chain: customers were looking for solutions that deliver planning, hygiene and structural implementation from a single source. It is precisely at this interface that the Wirth Group develops its added value.
Sustainability & energy efficiency
Panel systems, façades, insulation, closed cold chains – energy optimization is no longer a side issue, but a decisive cost and competitive factor.
Hygiene standards at the next level
Game processing and finishing plant in Tübingen – turning a difficult existing building into a showcase project
Limited space, limited structural possibilities, complex hygiene and process logic requirements: this was one of the projects that demonstrated the Wirth Group’s strengths particularly clearly.
Schwan Projekt designed a solution in which even a completely concealed secondary construction of the pipe track was possible – and FoodTec Buildings implemented the conversion at the highest level.
The result: an existing building that is now regarded as a reference for intelligent refurbishment solutions.
Butcher’s shop with party service/catering in Lappersdorf – process optimization starts with delivery
A company for which we have already worked several times – and which shows how important detailed work is.
The challenge: the existing loading system was no longer optimal for the flow of goods, ergonomics and speed. A traditional ramp was transformed into an efficient scissor lift table through planning and conversion.
The combination of planning foresight by Schwan Projekt GmbH and precise implementation by FoodTec Buildings has resulted in a significantly improved material flow.
Country butcher’s shop in Wiesloch – a new building in the “narrow courtyard”
New buildings are rarely built on the proverbial greenfield site. In this project, the initial situation was particularly challenging: a new building in the middle of its own courtyard, with minimal scope for development, logistics and building shape.
Schwan Projekt developed a floor plan that makes perfect use of the location, and FoodTec Buildings implemented the structural hygiene standards precisely.
The project is an example of how individual planning and technical implementation can push boundaries together.
What this year has shown: Integrated planning is becoming a success factor
Many of last year’s projects made one thing clear: successful food businesses not only need good construction services, but above all planning security.
The challenges faced by businesses – from rising energy costs and stricter hygiene requirements to a lack of space in existing buildings – can only be solved if planning and implementation are closely interlinked.
Three insights of the year:
- Conversion of existing buildings. New buildings are becoming rarer – renovation and conversion are increasing significantly.
- Hygiene is included in the planning. Surfaces, zones, routing – everything influences product safety.
- Deciding processes. The focus is often more on logistics, goods flows and employee routes than on pure architecture.
The Wirth Group has shown here how well the internal strengths complement each other: Schwan Projekt with its strategic planning, FoodTec Buildings with its structural precision.
Where food production is heading
2026 will be a year in which many companies will invest again – but in a more targeted way than before.
We see the following developments:
- Even more process-optimized layouts, especially in meat and protein plants
- Growing importance of sustainable materials, including GRP and modern sandwich panels
- More digitalization in planning and construction
- Increasing demand for conversions during ongoing production
- Internationalization – an increasing proportion of customers come from non-German-speaking countries
For the Wirth Group, this means more projects that combine strategic planning and precise implementation. And more responsibility to guide customers safely through error-prone transformation phases.
The Wirth Group says thank you
2025 was a year full of challenges – and full of progress. The Wirth Group would like to thank all customers, partners and teams who have made this development possible.
If you would like to delve deeper, you will find specific insights into construction solutions and planning developments in the supplementary annual articles by FoodTec Buildings and Schwan Projekt GmbH.
We are looking forward to a new year full of ideas, bold projects and joint successes
