The former textile factory “Spinnerei und Weberei Hermann Kümpers” in Rheine is a significant testament to industrial heritage in the Münsterland region. Since 2021, the city’s architectural landmark, built around 1905, has been gradually repurposed. A vibrant urban quarter is taking shape on the approximately 11.5-hectare site – with fischer injection mortar systems.

Built around 1905, the cotton spinning and weaving mill in Rheine follows the design of a classic brick factory with influences from English industrial architecture. The design is the work of the industrial architect Sidney Stott from Oldham, England. The three-storey main building is characterised by tower-like structures at the corners with a square floor plan. Particularly distinctive is the striking stair tower with its curved spire. Large, evenly spaced windows provided light for the production halls. They give structure to the façade and emphasise the functional character of the industrial building, which at the same time displays high design quality.

From factory site to urban quarter
Today, the site, which covers around 11.5 hectares, is undergoing a multi-year process of conversion and development. Operations at the spinning and weaving mill ceased back in 1978; work is now underway to create a mixed-use urban quarter on the site, with completion expected by 2027. Plans include sheltered housing, care facilities, a nursery, restaurants, residential buildings, a special school for children with physical disabilities, as well as retail and services. The former textile factory will become the social hub of the new urban quarter, bringing together housing, care, education and community life. The listed building envelope will be preserved as an identity-defining element, linking the industrial past with the present.

Secure anchoring in the existing structure
To renovate the factory façade in accordance with conservation guidelines and integrate it into the new use, fischer FIS V Plus injection mortar was used in conjunction with FIS A M8 x 1,000 anchor rods, amongst other materials. In the perforated blocks of the existing masonry, FIS H 12 x 1000 L anchor sleeves ensured that the mortar was distributed precisely when the anchor rods were inserted. This ensured low material consumption whilst providing a secure form-fit. The injection system was used to secure and connect the listed external façade to the building, which is being rebuilt internally.

When used with the relevant system components, the universal mortar proved to be a flexible solution for all anchoring substrates – concrete and sand-lime brick in new builds, as well as clay bricks in existing buildings. Tensile tests and accompanying technical support ensured that the loads were verifiably absorbed even in the challenging existing building materials. Variable anchoring depths allowed for optimal adaptation to the specific application. Thanks to its wide range of system approvals, high load-bearing capacity and tested safety, the injection system is the reliable anchoring solution – even under challenging existing conditions. “The technical implementation of the project was reliably verified through tensile tests and professional structural engineering support,” says Uwe Herding, Technical Field Representative at fischer. “In this way, we ensured that the anchors would permanently withstand the loads and meet the requirements for safety and load-bearing capacity.”

A tradition that endures
The Kümpers textile factory demonstrates how historic industrial architecture – when repurposed sensibly – continues to have an impact in the present day and shapes the cityscape both then and now. 

An exclusive look behind the scenes at fischer: Spotlights – the fischer blog