Graepel News
Graepel News
Graepel, an internationally renowned manufacturer of sheet metal products, has developed a new product range that helps cities and communes to sustainably protect their trees and create attractive living spaces. In collaboration with the city of Magdeburg, Graepel has developed an innovative tree protection solution that also provides parking opportunities for bicycles and promotes the urban mobility transition.
With the first tree protection measures installed, Graepel has shown how the concept can be implemented and what added value it offers. This motivated the specialists to develop the comprehensive “Green Cities” range. The new product branch focuses on solutions that can make cities more sustainable, greener and therefore more resistant to the effects of climate change. The greening of city centers to reduce temperatures is a key motivation here.
Three market-ready products in the new range.
To establish itself as a leading supplier of sustainable components for modern urban design, Graepel has developed three standard products. The current portfolio includes a patented tree grating system with non-slip embossing, corrosion-resistant bicycle leaning bars and protective bars for borders, green spaces and trees. Further products are in development and will follow.
The tree protection grilles prevent the consolidation of the soil around the tree grates caused by walking and driving on the area. This ensures optimum ventilation and drainage of the tree root zone, which contributes to healthy growth in the long term. In addition, covering the tree grates protects them from drying out, especially during hot periods. Graepel's profiled metal gratings offer high slip resistance for pedestrians even in wet, frosty or leafy conditions. They are also quick and easy to install with low individual weights and their four-point fixing protects the ground and roots more than the usual all-round strip foundation.
Special protective brackets protect the tree trunks from damage caused by “parking bumps”. They can also be used separately for other green areas. In addition, the brackets have been designed to serve as integrated bicycle stands without the need for additional foundations. Both the bicycle racks and the impact protection racks are also available as individual solutions.
Customized solutions for cities and communes.
“Our products promote safety in many areas, from vehicles and buildings to mechanical engineering. With our new offering, we are helping cities and local authorities to protect and expand their green lungs while promoting mobility in urban areas. We would like to talk to those responsible about this,” explains Maximilian Irps, CEO of Graepel in Seehausen (Altmark), where Graepel's profiled metal gratings are manufactured.
Graepel, with over 1,000 employees worldwide, is known for its high-quality sheet metal products. In Magdeburg, the need for better tree protection was recognized and the new solutions were developed together with the city until they were ready for the market. Graepel sees this as an important contribution to its own sustainability efforts and the promotion of green urban development.
Cooperation offer for individual, sustainable solutions.
Graepel's new offer is just starting and the company is ready to develop individual solutions with interested cities and communes as well as general contractors in building construction. The products are made from durable and reusable materials and help to create sustainable solutions for urban green spaces and mobility needs.
Lutz Constabel, head of the road construction department in Magdeburg, emphasizes the dimension of the joint approach: “The protection and care of our urban trees are central to the quality of life in our city. Trees improve air quality, provide shade and promote biodiversity. Preserving our green lungs requires preventative measures and continuous care. This includes securing the root zone, protecting against damage and providing reliable irrigation and nutrients. This is precisely where the idea of creating solutions together with Graepel's technical expertise was born. We welcome and support the fact that Graepel is now developing this concept into a comprehensive offering to make cities greener and more liveable.”
As a special gimmick, Graepel offers the possibility of individualization. For new plantings, for example, sponsor names can be lasered into the tree slice cover or a reference to the city or district can be made. This is highly visible and protects the trees.
You can find more information about the new product range here: https://www.graepel.de/en/industries/urban-solutions
Photos: Magdeburg wanted to protect the valuable tree population in the city center and ensure optimal growing conditions. Together with the sheet metal specialists from Graepel, a pioneering tree protection grille was created. The pictures shows the first installation in the state capital.
