Interview with Nico Hanke, Managing Director of Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte, one of the international market and quality leaders in efficient clamping technology solutions for workpieces and dies in forming technology and plastics processing.

 

IndustryArena: Mr. Hanke, Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte has a long history of innovation in clamping technology and related fields. Could you briefly describe the next steps for Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte to maintain its position as a market leader?

Nico Hanke: It always takes many measures for a company to remain a market leader. We focus on our strengths: technical expertise, the long-lasting quality of our products, and our employees, who have been advising our customers with high technical expertise for decades. In addition, we are always striving to explore new industries and set new technological impulses, such as the further development of electromechanical principles in clamping technology.

It is impressive that Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte places great value on sustainability and even established its own environmental and energy management system. Are there specific projects or goals you aim to achieve in the coming years?

Of course, we are also committed to using resources efficiently and sustainably. Furthermore, we are keen to find approaches with and for our customers to further protect the environment and improve the sustainability of production processes.

You are active with several subsidiaries and a broad product range in various industries. Are there any market segments you would like to expand further in the future?

We are confident that with our product approaches, we will continue to be successful in our established industries in the future. Our global presence will help us serve potential markets wherever our expertise is needed. Of course, we also have new market segments in mind. These include industries with rather independent growth from economic cycles, such as medical technology, or those with a special status due to known circumstances, like the defense industry.

Can you name technological trends that you see as particularly important for the future of clamping technology? And is Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte well-positioned and prepared for these?

Intelligent clamping technology that communicates with machines and systems is an important field where we see ourselves well-positioned with our development partners. Additionally, we observe a global trend where companies want to make their production processes more environmentally friendly. Here, our electromechanical clamping technology, which operates without hydraulics and pneumatics, holds very promising future prospects.

Recently, you developed the quick die clamping system Flexline 3.2280, which allows for efficient handling of large dies on presses. Could you briefly explain the specific benefits this system offers to your customers?

The use of this quick die clamping system means that our customers can change heavy dies in just a few minutes, quickly and safely. Where two employees were previously required for a die change, our ROEMHELD "Flexline" system only requires one employee. A reduction in setup times and manpower is equivalent to a reduction in costs while increasing machine runtime. We help our customers achieve significantly higher productivity.

Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte is known for offering a variety of customer-specific solutions. How intense is the collaboration with customers during the development process?

We learn from our customers, and our customers learn and benefit from our solutions. Without close and trusting communication, this would not be possible.

Are there new markets or regions you intend to target in the coming years? Will digitalization and automation play a larger role?

Not only because of the ongoing crisis in mechanical engineering in Germany, which has lasted for more than two years, but also increasingly in America and Asia, the focus is shifting. We are closely monitoring the impact of the change in government in the USA on our business. Despite some political uncertainties, Asia remains the largest potential market for the future.

Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte has an impressive history dating back to 1707. How does the company’s long tradition influence its current corporate culture and innovation? Are there values or principles from the past that still play a role today?

We are proud of our history. It will always be embedded in our DNA. However, tradition does not prevent us from constantly reinventing ourselves and seeking new paths to success. Perhaps the cohesion within the company, due to the long-standing connection with the region and employee families, is a particular advantage.

You mention that your products help customers save resources. How does Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte contribute to enabling companies in mechanical engineering and other industries to make their production processes more energy-efficient and resource-saving?

A good question that cannot be fully answered here. But let me return to electromechanical clamping technology. Imagine being able to completely do away with hydraulic lines, with the constant risk of leaks, or with energy-inefficient pneumatics. That would be a significant step towards more optimal resource usage.

Finally, one last question: Can you briefly summarize in one sentence what distinguishes Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte from the competition and makes the company unique?

We are a quality provider of innovative solutions, combining decades of expertise with a constant willingness to learn new things and to remain globally connected with our customers in a partnership.

Mr. Hanke, thank you very much for this interesting and insightful talk.

For more information about Römheld GmbH Friedrichshütte, click here.