Ziehl-Abegg, the German industrial company specializing in electric motors and fans, has reported record sales and growth in employee numbers for 2022. The company recorded sales of EUR 873 million, marking an increase of approximately 22 per cent compared to the previous year’s EUR 716 million. Ziehl-Abegg’s global employee count rose to 5,100, up from 4,700 the last year, with the number of employees in Germany growing from 2,600 to 2,800.
Despite the challenges posed by the closure of its site in Russia and instability in the supply chain, Ziehl-Abegg was able to continue its successful trajectory. The company plans to invest in new plants in Germany and abroad to secure long-term global growth. CEO Dr Marc Wucherer remarked that the change in sales was due to increased selling prices resulting from sharp purchase price rises and the rising demand for efficient and durable electric motors and fans.
Investments in new production sites will make the company fit for the future. Ziehl-Abegg began constructing a further EUR 50 million plant in Lodz, Poland, in autumn 2022. A new plant in the USA, which will see an investment of approximately EUR 100 million, began construction at the start of 2023. “If we produce closer to the customer, we can deliver faster, and we do away with the need for transportation over long distances,” explained Dr Marc Wucherer, citing the positive effect a global production network has on the products’ carbon footprint.
Ziehl-Abegg products are expected to see further demand in the coming years, driven by trends such as digitalization, expansion of wind power, food production, building ventilation, and heating and air conditioning technology. The continuing interest in heat pumps will also fuel demand for quiet and efficient fans, with experts predicting double-digit growth rates for the industry worldwide.
“Ziehl-Abegg’s Focus on Automation and Investment in Young Talent for Long-Term Success”
Ziehl-Abegg is focusing on automation in all of its existing plants and expanding its international production capacities due to limited employee capacities in Germany to exploit this growth potential. Dr Marc Wucherer stated, “With our innovative solutions and the continuous expansion of our product portfolio, we are ideally equipped to meet the increasing requirements and further strengthen our competitive position.”
Ziehl-Abegg is also investing in young talent to sustain its success in the market over the long term. Dr. Wucherer emphasized, “We will further expand the quality and quantity of opportunities for young people to start their careers with dual training or a dual course of study in 2023.”. The company is taking targeted measures to address the challenge posed by demographics and the shortage of skilled workers.
