Fenkl describes the earnings situation as “more than difficult” as the supply chain problems not only had an impact on delivery times but on pricing as well. “Some suppliers had already increased prices so quickly towards the end of 2020 and then repeatedly in 2021 that we were unable to pass these on to the market on a 1:1 basis.” Based on the experience in the first quarter, the manager knows that this situation will become more acute in the current year. “I've never experienced anything like this before," says Fenkl, who has now been at the helm of the family business for more than 20 years.
Ziehl-Abegg is regarded as a company with a high level of vertical integration. "We now want to expand this even further," says Fenkl. However, growth at the headquarters in Hohenlohe is problematical as there is a serious shortage in the availability of the necessary additional workers there. The intention therefore is to expand existing production facilities and establish new production sites. “Additional production sites will bring us closer to our customers.”
The 11.9 percent growth in sales last year provides a good base for further growth. Ventilation systems were the sales driver in the year just past, contributing EUR 637 million to the overall result. The company CEO holds no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead. “Work shifts are currently being repeatedly cancelled because of a lack of components – how can you realistically plan and how are you supposed to satisfy your customers?” he asks. Traditionally, the company does not provide any information on earnings.
Ziehl-Abegg employs 2,600 people in Germany, 200 more than a year ago. The number of employees worldwide rose from 4,300 to 4,700. Since employees of the baby boom era in Germany are now increasingly reaching retirement age, this is having a direct impact on the available workforce potential. “Companies must therefore openly target Generation Z, the post-millennials.” explains Fenkl. “We mustn’t persist with old ways of thinking but instead take the wishes and needs of young people seriously.”
About Ziehl-Abegg
Ziehl-Abegg (Künzelsau, Germany) is one of the leading global companies in the field of ventilation, control and drive technology. In the 1950s, Ziehl-Abegg established the basis for modern fan drives: external rotor motors which even today are still seen as state-of-the-art worldwide. Another area of business is electric motors which provide the power, for example, for elevators, medical applications (computer tomography equipment) or deep-sea underwater vehicles. The theme of electro-mobility for motor vehicles was established as part of the Ziehl-Abegg Automotive Team in 2012.
The high-tech company has an impressive innovative capability. Ziehl-Abegg employs 2,600 personnel in its production plants in southern Germany. The company has a global workforce of 4,700 spread between 16 production plants, 29 companies and 112 sales locations. The products, approx. 30,000 in all, are sold in more than 100 countries. Turnover totals 716 million euros, with exports accounting for three quarters of the figure, (all numbers refer to the year 2021).
Emil Ziehl founded the company in Berlin in 1910 as a manufacturer of electric motors. After World War II the company’s headquarters were relocated to southern Germany. Ziehl-Abegg SE is not a listed company but instead is family-owned.
For more information go to www.ziehl-abegg.com
