Magnetic Solutions for Tomorrow's Industry
Interview with Christian Assfalg, Managing Director of Assfalg GmbH
Lifting and transporting heavy loads as easily as flipping a light switch, without any mechanical fixing: only magnets can do that. The family-owned Assfalg GmbH from Schwäbisch Gmünd is a worldwide leading manufacturer and wholesaler of magnetic lifting and clamping systems and has also established itself as a manufacturer of its own metalworking machines.
Over the past few years, Assfalg GmbH has established itself as a significant player in metal processing. Under the leadership of Christian Assfalg, the great-grandson of the company's founder, the company has not only expanded its product range but also undertaken a clear strategic realignment.
Strong Growth
In recent years, Assfalg GmbH has experienced strong growth. "We have doubled our revenue while the number of employees has remained constant," reports Christian Assfalg, who has been with the company for twelve years and took over as head of the company from his parents Annette and Ronald Assfalg at the beginning of 2022. This growth is the result of targeted optimizations and adjustments that enable the company to work more efficiently and at the same time increase the quality of its products. The employees also play a crucial role. With their expertise, creativity, and dedication, they significantly contribute to turning the company's visions into reality. "The order situation is still very good and the demand for innovative solutions in metal processing is increasing," adds the managing director.
New Construction in Planning
A key part of the growth strategy is the planned new building, which will nearly double the company's production capacity. Currently, Assfalg has an area of 1,000 m², which is to be expanded to 2,500 m². "We need to respond and are in the early stages of planning," explains Christian Assfalg. The new building will include both production and office spaces and is expected to be realized in the next two to three years.
Developing Our Own Products
A key point in the new strategic orientation is the shift from wholesale to own production. "We want to produce and develop more products ourselves," says Christian Assfalg. The company plans to free itself from dependency on external suppliers and develop its own innovative products. This is done not only for economic reasons but also to strengthen expertise within the company and to further improve the quality of products. "We are already known for our innovative products in the field of magnetic clamping and lifting technology," emphasizes Christian Assfalg. "This includes numerous patented solutions that enable our customers to work efficiently and with state-of-the-art technology. Research and development are our top priorities." As a result, customers benefit from tailored solutions specifically designed for their requirements.
New Products, New Approaches
In the last two years, Assfalg has developed various new products. This includes, among other things, a new sheet metal edge milling machine designed for weld seam preparation. Christian Assfalg explains: "We developed the product together with a new supplier and made some adjustments to meet our customers' needs." Assfalg GmbH sees itself as a service provider and wants to offer added value to its customers. "We need to engage with the customer and consider how we can create value for them," explains Christian Assfalg. This includes not only product development but also customer service and support after the purchase.
A Strong Family
As a family business, Assfalg is characterized by a familial and open working environment. Currently, Assfalg GmbH employs 20 staff members and plans to hire additional skilled workers in the coming years. "We are looking for talented employees to strengthen our team," concludes Christian Assfalg.