Essen, 13 October 2026 - SPIE, the independent European leader in multi-technical services in the areas of energy and communications, took over technical facility management at the "ruhr tech kampus essen" (rtke) as of October 1, 2026. As part of a five-year consortium with Klüh, technical and infrastructural facility management services will be brought together to reduce interfaces for the customer and streamline processes. SPIE will take the lead in managing the site's technical facilities and will head the consortium, while Klüh will be responsible for the infrastructural services.
The rtke is a technology and innovation campus in western Essen, offering around 6,000 people space for work, collaboration and innovation across its office, event and hospitality facilities. The complex is operated byruhr tech kampus essen Management, which commissioned the consortium. The rtke site comprises a total of ten buildings serving different purposes, with a wide range of technical systems and installations. SPIE will provide comprehensive management of the building services, covering ventilation, heating, refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, as well as safety-critical systems such as sprinklers, lighting and access control technology, through to kitchen equipment. The scope of services also includes maintenance of the water treatment system for the large outdoor water feature and a 24/7 fault management service.
"The technical infrastructure at the rtke is particularly demanding compared with other sites. The large number of different systems requires reliable interaction and precise coordination of our services," says Isabel Sterzel, Project Team Manager in the Efficient Facilities business unit at SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria. "That is why our activities are consistently focused on ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the campus. Clear quality and performance standards help us identify opportunities for improvement at an early stage and make targeted use of them - particularly when it comes to operating the buildings as efficiently as possible from an energy perspective."
A dashboard developed by SPIE provides transparency on key performance indicators (KPIs) and customer performance indicators (CPIs), enabling the services to be continuously monitored and optimised. A central digital interface also simplifies ticket management for users and service providers. Another key focus of the technical facility management service is energy optimisation and ensuring the campus complies with ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) requirements. To achieve this, SPIE integrates energy management and building management systems on a single digital platform. Together with specialised solution partners, SPIE is using AI-supported, continuous optimisation routines to sustainably reduce energy consumption and increase energy efficiency. Under a gain-share model, the resulting efficiency improvements and cost savings are realised jointly with the customer and channelled into ongoing process optimisation.
"By bringing together SPIE and Klüh, we are combining the technical and infrastructural expertise required for the rtke, creating a strong foundation for the reliable operation and further development of our site," says Hardy Stimmer, Head of Construction Project Management at thyssenkrupp Services. Stefan Schusterschitz, General Manager of the Efficient Facilities Operational Division at SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria, adds:"The contract combines technical operational responsibility with a clear focus on performance. Today, customers are no longer looking for individual services, but for tailored, integrated solutions that combine operational reliability, efficiency and sustainability."