Of Connections and Connectedness
Interview with Mandy Haase, Managing Director of Emes Kabel GmbH
Giving up was not an option. When Mandy Haase took over her family's business in 2001, things did not look good for the company, which today operates as Emes Kabel GmbH and is managed by Emes Holding. However, instead of burying her head in the sand, the then 24-year-old entrepreneur restructured the business from the Erzgebirge region, followed her visions, and took innovative paths – always knowing she could rely on an excellent team of employees. Today, Emes is synonymous with tailor-made cable solutions from A to Z.
The story of Emes is one of success, albeit with its ups and downs. Claus-Dieter and Brigitte Uhlig founded the company in 1990 and built it on three pillars: cable assembly, car dealership, and workshop. In 2001, they handed over the business to their daughter Mandy Haase. At just 24 years old, she faced a tremendous challenge: "The economic conditions at that time were difficult," she reflects. "Consumer goods were becoming cheaper, and bulk production was increasingly being outsourced to low-wage countries. As a subcontractor, we could not survive in the market under these conditions."
Every Beginning is Difficult
Mandy Haase took over the company from bankruptcy – but only the cable assembly section. Emes had five employees and two customers back then, and faced five challenging years ahead. A particular challenge was the bankruptcy of two customers. In this situation, Mandy Haase took new directions in acquisition and attended the INTEC trade fair in 2007.
The trade fair visit was a turning point," says Mandy Haase. "We acquired a customer there who is still one of our top five customers today."
Think anew, think differently
With this and other customers, Emes has grown organically to this day. In 2012, the company had about 15 employees. The site in Amtsberg quickly became too small, so a new building of nearly 1,000 m² was constructed. By 2018, now with 45 employees, they again reached their limits, and 2 million EUR were invested in another new building. The new hall was occupied in 2020, and the inauguration was celebrated, delayed until 2021 due to COVID.
"In 2021/22, we brought in an external consultant to show us new ideas and potentials," Mandy Haase reports. "His broader perspective opened up new vistas for us and spurred our dynamic development. Change management was a big challenge, which also involved taking the employees on this journey."
Customized from A to Z
The employees have accompanied and supported the change process, which went far beyond just the manufacturing of cables. Today, 65 employees work for Emes, and the revenue has increased from EUR 4.9 million in 2022 to EUR 5.2 million in 2023. Since 2024, Emes has been structured as a holding company, with the holding company being the administrative unit, while Emes Kabel GmbH is the manufacturing company. The portfolio has been deliberately diversified over time, so that today 15,000 different materials are processed. The focus is on custom cable assembly – from simple cables to complex wiring harnesses, Emes stands by its customers competently and reliably. Controlled quality is considered a trademark: The company is ISO 9001 certified. It has UL certification and is therefore allowed to manufacture cables for the American and Canadian markets.
"Over the past three years, we have started with electrical and mechanical assembly groups, device assemblies, and control cabinet configurations," says Mandy Haase. "It is important to us that our customers have Emes as a contact for all areas: purchasing, direct shipping, and logistics." A cooperation with an engineering office has been providing new impulses since this year. "The cooperation has created a real win-win situation," emphasizes Mandy Haase. "Both companies fit together excellently, complement each other perfectly. Through the collaboration, we can also offer electrical designs, device constructions, and device certifications, making us a one-stop shop for our customers."
Problem Solver and Motivator
Companies from the railway industry, medical technology, special vehicle construction, municipal technology, machinery and plant engineering, automation, and robotics appreciate not only the comprehensive range of services. Flexibility and quality are additional advantages. The 100% inspection of cables and assemblies is standard and applies to every single cable, no matter how large or complex. But these are not the only reasons why customers choose to work with Emes. "We approach our customers and try to understand their problems and develop practical solutions. Ultimately, it's about the well-being of our customers." And that of the employees. At Emes, there is a friendly, warm togetherness.
Emotions are important to Mandy Haase. She has an open ear for her employees, addresses their problems, tries to alleviate their fears, involves them in every situation, and aims to be a reliable employer. "Someday, I want to hand over to my son a company that is healthy, stable, and solid," she says. "Different, than when I took it over more than 23 years ago. I hope that we can develop in terms of content and maybe someday present our own product."