Safe Water, Strong Service: A 365-Day Commitment to Quality
Interview with Susanne Beierlorzer, Managing Director, Max Beierlorzer, Sales and Marc Gräfedünkel, Assembly Manager
Access to clean, safe water is one of the most fundamental requirements for modern life – from public swimming pools and hospitals to beverage producers, agriculture and industrial cooling systems. At the same time, water treatment is becoming more complex. Stricter regulations, new types of contaminants, changing climate conditions and growing expectations around sustainability all demand smarter technologies and highly reliable partners. In this environment, specialist companies that combine decades of experience with a hands-on service mentality are essential. One of them is Beierlorzer GmbH, based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
European Business: Ms Beierlorzer, Beierlorzer GmbH has been around for more than half a century. How did it all begin?
Susanne Beierlorzer: The company was founded 53 years ago by the father of my first husband. It started very small, with just two service technicians, mainly in the field of swimming pool water treatment. Over the years, we have grown steadily and passed the business from generation to generation – today the third generation is already on board.
European Business: Mr. Beierlorzer, what is your role in the Family business?
Max Beierlorzer: I more or less grew up with the company. Beierlorzer has always been part of my life, and I would like to continue the business when my mother eventually retires. Right now, I am working in sales and getting to know all sides of the company – commercially, technically and strategically. My sister is also very interested in the business, so the family story is likely to continue.
European Business: Mr. Gräfedünkel, what does Beierlorzer GmbH do today – and who are your customers?
Marc Gräfedünkel: We build and install water treatment and water disinfection plants, using components from a wide range of manufacturers. We deliberately choose high-quality, durable technology and do not work with low-cost suppliers where equipment fails after a short time. Our customers range from municipal and private swimming pools to the beverage industry, large industrial plants and agricultural operations that need clean water for cooling towers or climate systems.
European Business: You are often described as one of the leading providers in North Rhine-Westphalia. What sets you apart from competitors?
Susanne Beierlorzer: First of all, experience: we have been in this niche market for over five decades. Secondly, we have a very well-coordinated team that can design tailor-made solutions. And thirdly, our reliability: we offer a 365-days-a-year emergency service. Beierlorzer is known for reacting quickly when something happens – that is crucial when water quality, production processes or public facilities are at stake.
European Business: Water treatment is changing rapidly. What technological trends do you see?
Marc Gräfedünkel: Classical chlorination is still widely used, but chlorine gas brings safety issues and creates unwanted by-products in drinking water. We see a clear trend towards alternatives such as chlorine dioxide, UV disinfection and ozone systems. UV uses UV-C light to destroy microorganisms, while ozone is very effective with fewer residual substances in drinking water and beverages – although it requires strict safety management.
Susanne Beierlorzer: In some countries, such as the Netherlands, transporting chlorine gas on public roads is already prohibited. There, chlorine must be produced directly on-site. We expect regulations in Germany to tighten as well, so we are preparing our customers with suitable plant concepts. At the same time, we closely follow research on emerging contaminants such as PFAS and agricultural chemicals like glyphosate. Utilities will need to invest billions in new treatment technologies – and with our systems, we actively support the installation, operation, and reliable maintenance of these solutions!
European Business: How important is on-site safety and training for you?
Susanne Beierlorzer: It is extremely important. Many operators no longer have enough in-house technical staff or do not want to take full responsibility for operating complex systems. We therefore not only install and service the plants but also train customer personnel and accompany them closely. Safety has a very high priority – for our own employees and for our customers.
Marc Gräfedünkel: That is also why we keep planning and technical support in-house. We know the installations, we know the risks, and we prefer to be called before something becomes a problem.
European Business: You currently employ 19 people and generate around 4 million EUR in sales. Where do you want to go from here?
Susanne Beierlorzer: I would like to expand our team and our catchment area. Today, we are strongly focused on North Rhine-Westphalia, but we already serve customers in other German regions and have completed individual projects abroad. Step by step, we want to grow nationally and, where it makes sense, internationally.
Max Beierlorzer: From my perspective, digitalization is a key topic. We want to simplify internal processes, for example with modern software and AI tools, so that routine work becomes faster and our experts can focus on customers and technology. In addition, I see attractive new markets such as car wash water treatment or broader food processing applications – wherever clean process water directly influences quality.