In January 1940, Heinrich Himmler visited the site and deemed Neuengamme brick production below standard. In April 1940, the SS and the city of Hamburg signed a contract for the construction of a larger, more modern brick factory, an expanded connecting waterway, and a direct supply of bricks and prisoners for construction work in the city. On June 4, the Neuengamme concentration camp became an independent camp ("German: Stammlager)", and transports began to arrive from all over Germany and soon the rest of Europe.