18.03.2024
From machine builder
to solution provider
HEDELIUS managing director Dennis Hempelmann in conversation
Mr Hempelmann, the mood in the German machine and plant engineering sector is dampered. The VDMA reported a real increase in production of just 0.9 per cent for 2023 up to and including October and is even forecasting a decline of 4 per cent for 2024. HEDELIUS is about to complete a new production hall and already has the next construction project in the pipeline - does that let you sleep easy?
Dennis Hempelmann (laughs): Absolutely. I can proudly say that HEDELIUS has mastered these challenging times brilliantly so far. 2023 was by far the best year in our more than 55-year company history.
2023 was by far the best year in our
more than 55 years of company history.
Congratulations! That means in numbers?
We were able to increase our sales by 14.5 per cent to almost 80 million euros.
How did you manage that?
On the one hand, we have benefited from high demand in the range of automated chipping. HEDELIUS no longer "only" supplies machining centres, but also offers tooling-optimised production solutions that help to overcome challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers, cost pressure and productivity and to be successful in a competitive environment. This includes, among other things, a process analysis. How can I optimise coolant management, tool provision or chip management? How can I reduce travel distances? Can I run my system unmanned at night or at the weekend? We have answers to these questions: technical solutions that are ideal for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies with batch sizes of up to 500. On the other hand, our philosophy is well received in the market.
HEDELIUS no longer "just" supplies machining
centres, but also offers tooling-optimised production solutions.
How would you describe the HEDELIUS philosophy?
HEDELIUS is a thoroughly solid, owner-managed family business that has "Made in Germany" in its DNA and is characterised by a great passion for technology. Always curious and eager to try out new things, learn and improve in order to offer our customers the best solution. The customer and their individual requirements are absolutely at the centre of everything we do - including when it comes to service.
Isn't that a matter of course?
It should be, yes. But there are definitely differences in the market. For example, a HEDELIUS customer can use our service app to request a Spare part or report a problem. But they can also call our service hotline - and end up not in a queue, but with a competent service technician. In other words: the phone rings and we pick it up. In the traditional way.
Sounds likeable.
This is also highly appreciated by our customers. Incidentally, every third service enquiry is released directly over the telephone.
This will increase our production
capacity by forty per cent.
They have invested heavily in expanding production capacity and already have new plans.
That's right. A new, ultra-modern assembly hall with an area of 3,200 square metres is nearing completion. This will increase our production capacity by forty per cent. Before the end of this year, we plan to start construction of another 3,000 square metre hall to create more space for our mechanical production.
Does that mean you also see good growth prospects for 2024?
I am cautiously optimistic. We have started the current year with an above-average order backlog and certainly expect the strong demand for our tooling-optimised production solutions to continue. Not only in Germany, by the way, but also in other European countries. After all, the challenges facing manufacturing companies in the Czech Republic, the UK and elsewhere in Europe are the same as those in Germany. An important step in the internationalisation process will be the qualification of further service partners in our company and the Europe-wide expansion of the service partner network.
What technical developments can we look forward to this year?
Automation in mechanical engineering will continue to be our focus. Having supplied many ACURA machining centres with connected automation in recent years, we have now also prepared the swivelling spindle machining centres in our TILTENTA series for automation. We are starting with systems from our automation partners, but are also already working on our own solution.
Automation will also be the focus of our in-house exhibition on 24 and 25 April.
We are already looking forward to getting into closed dialogue with our guests.
2023 was by far the best year in our company's more than 55-year history..
HEDELIUS no longer "just" supplies machining centres, but also offers tooling-optimised production solutions.
This will increase our production capacity by forty per cent.
More news
We will be on company holidays from 23 December 2024 to 03 January 2025.
Our service will still be available for you on 23 December 2024 and will not be available for you again until 02 January 2025.
Our sales team will be available for you again from 06 January 2025.
In manufacturing companies that mainly produce small batch sizes, every minute of spindle time counts - or so the theory goes. In practice, however, the proportion of productive spindle time compared to working time is often less than 40 per cent. The search for tools, clamping devices and information, as well as set-up, tie up valuable resources and leave many operating companies far behind their potential. There are many ways to sustainably close flexibility - and thus performance - in production. But every manufacturing company is different. The trick is therefore to find your very own recipe for success.
Advancing automation has long since arrived in mechanical engineering and contract manufacturing - but many companies still face challenges, especially when it comes to small batch sizes. While large-scale production is already largely automated today, flexibility in smaller quantities, which are often the order of the day in contract manufacturing, poses a particular challenge. How can automation be made to pay off here too without presenting machine operators with insurmountable hurdles?
