International. The German industrial company Ziehl-Abegg has published its annual figures for 2022. With sales of 873 million euros, the company has recorded an increase of around 22 percent over the previous year (716 million euros). The number of employees worldwide reached 5,100 (previous year 4,700) and in Germany 2,800 (previous year 2,600).
The company said that despite the closure of the headquarters in Russia and the general lack of stability in the supply chain that made production planning difficult, it plans new investments in new plants in Germany and abroad.
"We are on the right track," said CEO Dr. Marc Wucherer, who says that sales growth is attributable on the one hand to the inescapable need to increase sales prices as a result of sharp increases in purchase prices; On the other hand, sales have been driven by the growing demand for efficient and durable electric motors and fans.
Investments in new production sites will future-proof the company: in autumn 2022, construction work began on a new €50 million plant in Lodz, Poland; at the beginning of 2023, the first stone of a new plant in the USA was laid, in which around 100 million euros will be invested. "If we produce closer to the customer, we can deliver faster and eliminate the need for transport over long distances," says CEO Wucherer, explaining the positive effect a global production network has on the carbon footprint of products.
Trends such as digitalization, the expansion of wind energy, food production, and building ventilation, heating, and air conditioning technology will further drive demand for Ziehl-Abegg products in the coming years. In addition, the continued interest in heat pumps will further increase the demand for quiet and efficient fans, with experts predicting double-digit growth rates for the industry worldwide.
To exploit the growth potential despite the limited capabilities of employees in Germany, Ziehl-Abegg is focusing on automation in all its existing plants and on expanding international production capacities. Marc Wucherer: "With our innovative solutions and the continuous expansion of our product portfolio, we are perfectly equipped to meet the growing requirements and further strengthen our competitive position."
Ziehl-Abegg is aware of the challenge posed by demographics and skills shortages and is investing in young talent specifically to maintain its long-term market success. "The quality and quantity of opportunities for young people to start their careers with dual training or a dual course of study will be further expanded in 2023," Wucherer emphasizes.
