Giving Machines a Second Life
Interview with Christian Munzinger, Managing Director and André Elz, Managing Director of GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH
New does not necessarily mean better – especially when considering the costs. As a leading manufacturer-independent provider of innovative engineering solutions in the field of special machinery and automation technology, GSN Maschinen-Anlagen-Service GmbH specializes in the reuse and modernization of existing machines. In an interview with the managing directors Christian Munzinger and André Elz, the challenges and opportunities of the company are explored.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Munzinger, Mr. Elz, can you tell us about your professional backgrounds and how you came to GSN?
Christian Munzinger: I have been with GSN since my graduation and studied mechanical engineering here. After various positions, including in the USA where I set up a service location, I switched to sales and finally to management. I lead the machinery and plant construction department and am proud that we can give existing machines a second life.
André Elz: I started as a toolmaker and then studied industrial engineering. After many years working in maintenance at large companies like Ford and Getrag, I decided to switch to GSN. Here I can bring my expertise in maintenance services.
Wirtschaftsforum: GSN was founded in 1992. What milestones have contributed to today's success story?
Christian Munzinger: A key step was our entry into technical services in 2001, when we took over maintenance for Mercedes in Kölleda. This marked the beginning of our expansion in this area. Another significant milestone was the establishment of our branch in Mexico, where we support European businesses that are active there.
André Elz: Establishing locations in Poland and expanding our services in the automotive industry were also crucial. We have always oriented ourselves to the needs of our customers and strategically placed our locations to provide local support.
Wirtschaftsforum: How has GSN adapted to changes in the industry over the years?
Christian Munzinger: The trend is clearly towards sustainability and reuse. We modernize existing machines to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly. This is not only economically sensible but also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and material consumption.
André Elz: We offer a wide range of services, from maintenance and automation to the complete redesign of manufacturing processes. Our employees are flexible and can adapt to different projects, giving us a competitive advantage.
Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you see in the current market situation?
André Elz: The uncertainty in the industry is high. Many machine builders do not know how the needs will develop in the coming years. While we continue to be active in the combustion engine sector, we have also identified battery technology and automation as growth areas.
Christian Munzinger: Another issue is that many machine manufacturers are under pressure. This leads to an increased demand for our services, as companies increasingly focus on reusing existing machines.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does the future look like for GSN?
Christian Munzinger: We are optimistic, even though uncertainties persist. We plan to expand our services further and focus more on automation and digitalization.
André Elz: We have already successfully implemented many projects and will continue to remain flexible to respond to changing market conditions. Our corporate culture promotes innovation and collaboration, which helps us to be successful even in turbulent times.
Wirtschaftsforum: What are the corporate values that are important to you?
André Elz: We place great emphasis on open communication and short decision-making paths. Every employee should be able to contribute, and we foster a family-like work atmosphere.
Christian Munzinger: This is a key to our success. Our employees are highly qualified and motivated, which is reflected in the quality of our services.
Wirtschaftsforum: Finally, what would you like to pass on to our readers?
Christian Munzinger: GSN stands for innovation and sustainability. We are proud to play a significant role in the industry as a manufacturer-independent service provider and look forward to the challenges that the future brings.
André Elz: We are ready to face the changes and support our customers in the best possible way. Our flexibility and expertise are our greatest strengths.