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Kraft Maschinenbau

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Majority shareholding in Becker Sondermaschinenbau GmbH

G. Kraft Maschinenbau GmbH from Rietberg-Mastholte and Becker Sondermaschinenbau GmbH from Langenberg will be going down the same path in future. Kraft announced the day before yesterday that it had acquired a majority stake in Becker Sondermaschinenbau.

Just like Kraft, Becker has been operating successfully for decades. Both companies are active in similar markets. In recent years, different product focuses have emerged, which are now to be bundled into an even more efficient portfolio, according to the Gütersloh district. In fact, only about 6 kilometres separate the two companies.

Kraft has its strengths in the customised development and implementation of larger and more complex projects in various industries with a high degree of automation. In recent years, Becker has been able to place excellent products on the market, especially in the areas of packaging and sawing technology. These focus areas of the companies will be retained and further strengthened in the new group.

At the same time, both companies, Kraft and Becker, want to cooperate in many areas and use the resulting synergies for the benefit of the customers.

According to Kraft, the resulting group is very powerful and well equipped for the future: “We literally have the power to expand our performance promise even further, true to our motto ‘everything from a single source’,” promises the traditional company, headed by Markus Hüllmann – who also took over the chairmanship of the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association at the beginning of 2021.

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Schmalz

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Optimism for the next few years

Like most companies, Schmalz had to navigate through difficulties at the beginning of the Corona pandemic. It succeeded well, as Dr Kurt Schmalz, managing partner J. Schmalz GmbH, was able to explain during a press conference on 19 May. The growth markets of China and the USA stuttered additionally due to the trade dispute, while the rest of Europe recorded good growth. Despite temporary short-time work at the Glatten site, Schmalz was able to remain fully capable of delivering throughout the pandemic. Schmalz has already been experiencing a strong upswing since autumn 2020. Both in Germany and in the export markets, incoming orders are developing positively. In particular, the trends of digitalisation and robotics are continuing very successfully.

Schmalz now expects a further growth trend in all relevant markets. Therefore, the company is also planning some major investments. The two largest in the USA and in China:

– In Raleigh, USA, production and logistics are to be more than doubled by 5,110 square metres. The project is to be completed this year.

– In Taicang, China, Schmalz wants to complete a new building on a greenfield site, also this year. This location is to comprise 7,600 square metres of floor space.

“More e-commerce also means more handling in logistics,” says Dr Schmalz about the company’s continuing success.

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Lectra

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Céline Abecassis-Moedas is the new director

A new face at the top of Lectra: at Lectra’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on 30 April, members voted to appoint Céline Abecassis-Moedas as a new independent director. She was nominated for a four-year term and will be a member of the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Strategy Committee.

“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Céline Abecassis-Moedas as a Director of Lectra,” said Daniel Harari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lectra. “Her international experience and knowledge in strategy and innovation management, as well as her in-depth knowledge of the fashion industry, are a great asset to the company.”

The addition of Céline Abecassis-Moedas to Lectra’s Board of Directors is intended in particular to strengthen the Strategy Committee, which will deal with an increasing number of investment projects in innovative companies and the further development of Industry 4.0 offerings.

Céline Abecassis-Moedas will also be able to contribute her international experience as an independent member of the Board of Directors, having worked for almost ten years in four companies in Spain and Portugal. She has an impressive career record:

49-year-old Abecassis-Moedas, is now Dean of Executive Education and Associate Professor at Católica-Lisbon. She began her career in research at France Telecom R&D before joining Lectra in New York as an e-business product manager in 1999 and AT Kearney in London as a consultant in 2000. From 2002 to 2005, she was a lecturer in strategy at Queen Mary University of London and then served as an assistant professor of strategy and innovation management at Católica-Lisbon University. From 2014 to 2020, Abecassis-Moedas was also Affiliate Professor at ESCP and Co-Science Director of the Lectra-ESCP Fashion and Technology Chair.

Céline Abecassis-Moedas is a graduate of École Normale Supérieure de Cachan, Université Paris Dauphine (DEA in Scientific Management Methods), holder of a PhD in Management from École Polytechnique and holder of the 2017 INSEAD Certificate in Corporate Governance.

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"Salone del Mobile.Milano" 2021

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Hybrid format instead of “normal fair”

It is now clear that the 60th “Salone del Mobile” will not take place again in its usual form until April 2022. This year, according to a press release, the organisers have decided on a very special, hybrid format. On the one hand, the “Salone” will take place digitally – the launch of a digital platform with designed rooms and themed itineraries is planned for June – and on the other hand, there will be new products to see live from 5 to 10 September at the Rho exhibition centre and at many venues and showrooms in the city. For the first time, the fair halls are not only open to trade visitors, but to all those interested in furniture and design. Another new feature is that the furniture exhibited there can be purchased. Part of the proceeds will be used for charitable purposes. The board of directors of Federlegno Arredo Eventi SpA has appointed the architect Stefano Boeri as curator for this “alternative salone” – a name is to be announced shortly. He will be assisted by young international architects and professionals, the organisers announced.

One of the attractions of this event, it said, is to see products created during the Corona pandemic, a very emotional and special time. “The September event will be unique and innovative,” promised Claudio Feltrin, president of FederlegnoArredo. Thanks to the experience and sensitivity of Stefano Boeri and the young curators working alongside him, he said, the national and international public will experience the innovative power of our companies. The event, says Feltrin, offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the spirit of the times, the developments in the world of furnishings and contemporary life. Milan’s place as a pacesetter on the creative scene is undisputed, he said. The event is meant to be a symbol of recovery. Feltrin thanked everyone who helped and took on this “wonderful adventure”.

The fact that the products shown, which are innovative and of high quality, can be purchased by all visitors at reasonable prices is a real concern for Stefano Boeri. Because, due to conora, countless families and companies are now rethinking their furnishings and thinking about redesigning their living and working spaces. For Boeri, it is clear that this edition “will reaffirm Milan’s central position as a global capital of creativity, innovation and social generosity.” Further details of the project are to be announced in the coming days.

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Ima Schelling Group

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All-round satisfaction with the second digital “Open House”

From 3 to 7 May, Ima Schelling held its “Open House” 2021, which focused on digitalisation, technical innovations and individual solutions. Admittedly, the planned hybrid event turned into an online-only event due to high incidence figures. But this did not detract from the success: more than 250 different Ima Schelling customers from all over the world took advantage of the five days to inform themselves in detail about the product innovations of the Ima Schelling Group during presentations, virtual company tours, expert rounds and in personal discussions.

The highlights of the event, which can be accessed via the Ima Schelling media library under the link https://experience.imaschelling.com/neighbourwood/, included the presentation of the future “Aimi” software landscape, the highly flexible “hl 1” machine concept for high-performance cutting as well as fully automatic edge handling and the presentation of the new “Imagic L1” drilling machine for batch size 1 production. Expert panels on the future level of automation in furniture production and guest contributions from cooperation partners rounded off the programme. The live sessions on the technical innovations were clearly the most popular among the participants, who came mainly from Ima Schelling’s European core markets. But despite the time difference, numerous customers from Asia and America also joined in.

The participants, each of whom attended at least three sessions, were more than taken with the event. And not only by the innovations presented, but also by the professional execution of the entire event. “We were absolutely impressed with the event and ‘Neighbour Wood’. It was a really exciting and very informative event. Ima Schelling has put together something really great,” Patrik Riedi, Machine Room Manager at Jutzler AG from Switzerland, confirmed enthusiastically.

“The online character of the ‘Open House’ made it possible for many international experts to take part in the event. It would certainly not have been possible on this scale otherwise,” says Andreas Bischoff, CSO at Ima Schelling. Wolfgang Rohner, CEO of Ima Schelling Group, adds: “We are more than satisfied with the process and the result. Although it was a purely digital event, the professional exchange was very high in intensity and level. But of course we are also pleased to be sitting around the table with our customers again.”

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Hettich

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Awarded as “Premier Supplier 2021” by Steelcase

Hettich has received the “Premier Supplier” award in Steelcase’s annual supplier assessment. Steelcase, which was founded in 1912 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1998, awards this accolade to its suppliers every year. The world’s largest office furniture manufacturer with approximately 12,000 international employees thus recognises exceptional performance and special commitment.

“We are very pleased to receive this award. Steelcase recognises our great commitment in these challenging times,” says Jürgen Krüger, Office Sales Manager. “And it is another great incentive for all our colleagues. Of course, we would like to receive this award again next year and further expand our partnership with Steelcase,” adds Karlheinz Deutsch, Key Account Manager for Steelcase. This is the second time that Hettich has received an award from Steelcase in a business relationship that has lasted more than 20 years.

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Kinnarps

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Emission targets exceeded again

The Swedish office specialist Kinnarps has published the latest edition of its sustainability report “The Better Effect” and once again set its sustainability goals higher. In addition to the efficient and environmentally friendly use of resources, sustainability at the company also includes products that can be renewed and reused as well as sustainable logistics and delivery. Well thought-out, flexible and multifunctional interior design solutions should be designed for longevity and promote well-being.

As a result, the self-imposed CO2 emission reduction targets for 2020 were not only met, but exceeded: instead of the targeted 35 percent, Kinnarps achieved a 47 percent reduction. The main contributors to this success are Kinnarps’ switch to renewable diesel fuel and the investment in a gas-powered truck. By 2025, CO2 emissions from the transport of products are to be reduced by 70 percent. A reduction of 30 per cent is planned for CO2 emissions generated by payment transactions.

Kinnarps also exceeded the targets for the use of solvents, reducing them by 57 percent. Energy consumption was reduced by 19 percent.

Further steps towards even more sustainability include a test run of a circular rental model that focuses on the longevity of the products. In addition, new sustainable materials have been developed, such as a synthetic leather and products made from waste or a table top made from recycled plastic bottles.

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Acimall

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Strong first quarter of 2021 bodes well for the future

“There is no better way to start the new year. The data processed by our study office confirms the ‘strong perception’ of the last months: the year 2021 has started very positively, with a strong increase in demand for technology for the furniture and wood industry,” says Luigi De Vito, president of Acimall – the association representing Italian manufacturers of technologies, tools and equipment for wood and wood-based materials.

58 percent more orders came in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year. The trend in international orders was very positive, with a 52 percent increase, while domestic demand really boomed, with an 87.8 percent increase.

“The rebound has far exceeded our expectations, supported by the positive signals in the last quarter of 2020,” De Vito added.

The quarterly survey of companies by Acimall’s study office also shows that backlogs span 4.1 months, while price fluctuations have been one percent since Jan. 1. Total sales were up 2.4 percent from 1Q20.

In the quality survey, respondents provided clear feedback, with 75 percent of the sample reporting a positive production trend (up from 50 percent in the previous quarter, a clear indication of increasing confidence in more “reactive” markets); five percent reported declining business, while 20 percent were stable. Growth was also the predominant trend in employment numbers, with 55 percent of the sample reporting a stable trend, while 40 percent reported an increase and five percent reported a decrease.

According to the forecast survey, 55 percent of companies expect the export trend to remain at current levels, while 45 percent believe the situation may improve. No one fears that the situation may worsen, which is important for confidence in the future. Looking only at the domestic market, the outlook is somewhat different, with 55 percent of the sample expecting further expansion, 40 percent stability and five percent thinking of a decline.

So the first quarter showed a clear and positive change of direction after a difficult 2020.

Of course, the global situation also affected Italian exports. A decrease of 15.8 percent compared to 2019 and an absolute value of 1,330 million euros. Nevertheless, international sales remain the main driver for the entire sector.

The decline in imports in 2020 was even greater in percentage terms, with a drop of 28.2 percent or 153 million euros. Overall, these figures show that domestic demand was still in a critical situation in 2020, while the trade balance – i.e. the export-import difference – remained at a high level (1,177 million euros).

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Hettich

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Sells all shares in Ceres Vision

The Hettich Group is selling its shares in Ceres Vision GmbH, Bielefeld, to the previous co-shareholders Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kaschuba (photo center) and Jan Böske (right) as well as to the Managing Director Thomas Middelmann (left), paving the way for a new future for the company with this management buy-out.

Since Ceres Vision was founded in 2002, Hettich has accompanied its development into a supplier of complete process modules and solutions in automation technology. Today, Ceres Vision sets standards in industrial image processing: companies from various industries rely on the experience and innovative strength of this company when it comes to intelligent automation solutions and seamless quality control in production. The company is a solution provider for industrial plant engineering in numerous sectors. Through close cooperation with the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, Ceres Vision always has its finger on the pulse of technological trends.

With this management buy-out, Ceres Vision will continue to develop in the future with an independent shareholder structure outside the Hettich group of companies. “After almost 20 years of close cooperation, this step towards independence is now logical and enables growth in forward-looking technology fields. We wish Ceres Vision continued success in its future business development,” explain Jana Schönfeld and Sascha Groß, both Hettich managing directors.

The previous co-partners Prof. Dr. Reinhard Kaschuba and Jan Böske are increasing their shares in Ceres Vision. Long-time managing director Thomas Middelmann joins the group of shareholders as managing partner with immediate effect.

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