Act Instead of React
Interview with Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, Managing Director of Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG
"If you no longer have visions and goals, you should just play golf." Hans-Jürgen Schwarz, who is quoted, is far from playing golf. The founder and managing director of Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG is a passionate children's book author, considers Steve Jobs as a role model – and has visions. The special vehicles developed in Schönebeck save lives.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schwarz, the name of the company says it all. Ambulanz Mobile GmbH & Co. KG specializes in the construction of patient transport vehicles, ambulances, and emergency medical vehicles, and has not only gained prestige but also a leading market position. How did this success story begin?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: The story of Ambulanz Mobile began after the reunification, but its roots go back further. During the GDR times, I worked as a mechanical engineer in a tractor factory, a large company with 7,000 employees at the time. From 1986 until the reunification, I was the production manager there, and then the factory was handed over to the Treuhand agency. When I was offered to start a new company with the then shareholder and another colleague, I did not hesitate. In 1991, we started with six employees to build a company for special vehicles for people with mobility restrictions.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are the founder, majority shareholder, and CEO. What does the structure exactly look like?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: We are a traditional family business, in which my wife Dagmar Schwarz and my sons Raik Schwarz and Frank Lundershausen also work. The latter has been a minority shareholder and commercial managing director since June 1 of this year. Dr. Torsten Bunge is COO.
Wirtschaftsforum: On the grounds of the former tractor factory, 1,300 specialty vehicles are built annually. What kind of vehicles are they?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: We focus on four business areas. Vehicles for people with mobility impairments (KMP), ambulances based on chassis from Mercedes, Ford, MAN, and VW – here we are the market leader in Europe –, emergency medical service vehicles, and medical transport vehicles. The NEFs are about smaller vehicles that we have continuously technically developed. Examples include patented blue light systems integrated into the roof. In Germany, no one builds more NEFs than us. We work closely with the major manufacturers, sometimes building our own roofs on the vehicles and taking care of the interior conversion. Because utmost safety for patients and staff is a priority, we adhere to the EN 1789 standard and rely on crash tests that are significantly above the norm.
Wirtschaftsforum: Who are your customers and how do you reach them?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: We supply fire departments, rescue services, aid organizations, and taxi and bus companies, including in 41 countries around the world. Exports account for about 35%. Our furthest customer is from Auckland, New Zealand, and our largest single customer is the Free State of Bavaria, for which we have been providing all ambulances and emergency doctor vehicles since 2009. In sales, we pursue different approaches; we have the traditional field service, but also partners in the Netherlands, Switzerland, Slovenia, Hungary, Finland, and recently in Spain, who are responsible for acquisition and the completion of the vehicles. In Germany, we sell directly. To exchange ideas with customers, we are present at many events and exhibitions. The RETTmobil in Fulda and our own in-house trade fair play a special role.
Wirtschaftsforum: 350 employees, European market leader, 110 European patents and protective rights – what is the key to your success?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: Constant innovation, ecology, and sustainability as well as quality and service are strengths that set us apart from the market. Above all, we act rather than react; we are pioneers, not followers.
Wirtschaftsforum: How sustainable are the vehicles?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: We work with materials that are pure-grade and recyclable – for example, vacuum-formed plastic materials – and opt for a removable interior design to give products a second life. In our KTW Valeris V21, we were able to save 20 kg of adhesive and 60 kg of weight through new technologies. A beautiful story that shows quality pays off in the long term, including ecologically. We recently repurchased a vehicle that has run 1,067,000 km. It is so well-maintained that we can dismantle parts and install them in a new, identical vehicle.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ambulanz Mobile not only impresses with innovative quality products but also with a special spirit. What values are lived at the Schönebeck site?
Hans-Jürgen Schwarz: Respect, esteem, and a partnership approach. We have employees from 13 different countries; for us, it's always about the person and their personal commitment. We take responsibility for them and want to show that there is a future going forward. That's why we developed the Agenda 2034, which focuses on the development of employees and products, on digitization and AI, but especially on realistic goals and visions.