The Synergy of Hydraulics and Electronics

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schwarzkopf, what role does Hans Pregler GmbH & Co. KG play in the industry?

Markus Schwarzkopf: Since its founding in 1929, Pregler has established itself as a reliable partner for companies that need custom hydraulic and electronic solutions for their applications. From this nearly century-long history, we have exceptional technical expertise. Always combined with innovative approaches and technologies, we can also meet very high customer requirements.

Wirtschaftsforum: What are the main products and services of Pregler?

Markus Schwarzkopf: Our range of services includes the development and construction of hydraulic power units and control cabinets. Additionally, we offer services such as assemblies, piping, and software programming. In the years following commissioning, we are available to our customers for maintenance, expansions, and optimizations.
We deliver wherever the power of hydraulics and the intelligence of electronics are needed – and that is a very broad range of applications. Certainly, the automotive and machine construction sectors are among our customers, but our installations are also used in waste incineration plants, power plants, chemical plants, and in testing helicopter or airplane parts.

Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes Pregler from other providers in the industry?

Markus Schwarzkopf: Our particular strength is in projects where we combine our core competencies in hydraulics and electronics. By offering such complete electro-hydraulic systems from a single source, we differentiate ourselves from many competitors. Especially with demanding customer requirements, we can quickly determine whether the specific problem is better solved hydraulically, electronically, or with a combination of both.

Wirtschaftsforum: What specific advantages does this offer to your customers?

Markus Schwarzkopf: For our customers, this means that they do not have to worry about the complicated interface between hydraulics and electronics, but receive a perfectly tuned electro-hydraulic system. This is often more powerful, user-friendly, and energy-efficient than a system where hydraulics and electronics are procured separately. Also, project processing is more efficient for the customer since they do not have to coordinate the hydraulic supplier and the automation provider at the same time.

Wirtschaftsforum: How has the company developed in recent years?

Markus Schwarzkopf: In the last five years, we have increased our revenue by 30% and our efficiency and profitability have also developed very positively. This is considerable, considering that industrial production in Germany has been declining since 2018. Many of our customers are currently more concerned with short-time work and staff reductions rather than with investments, which are the driver for our business.

It was also important in the past years that we have continuously expanded our customer base. This was easier said than done, as building new customers with limited resources in a difficult market environment, without neglecting the existing ones, is challenging. Today, however, the broad mix of customers and industries is an essential building block for our resilience in difficult market situations.
 

Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges have you experienced in the industry?

Markus Schwarzkopf: One of the biggest challenges was the supply of materials, especially during and after the Corona pandemic. Since we rely on reliable delivery of hydraulic and electronic components, the supply delays at the time posed a serious problem. A system can only be delivered when the last component has arrived – until then, it is usually not possible to issue an invoice.

Additionally, we are also experiencing a shortage of skilled workers in technical professions. We are currently looking for industrial mechanics and electronics technicians. In these professions, we train ourselves and also offer positions for dual students in the fields of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. Employees who have been trained by us, as well as recommendations from existing staff, have proven to be the best ways to attract qualified professionals in the long term.

Wirtschaftsforum: What trends do you see in the industry?

Markus Schwarzkopf: A clear trend is the increasing digitalization and automation in the industry. Our customers see this as an opportunity to work more efficiently and with higher quality. A higher degree of automation can also be the key to reducing monotonous or dangerous activities. Environmental protection and energy saving are also becoming more focused than in the past. Pregler supports all these efforts with its electrohydraulic solutions.

Wirtschaftsforum: How important is sustainability for Pregler?

Markus Schwarzkopf: The roof of our company building was fully equipped with photovoltaic modules right from the start of construction. With this, we produce more electricity in a year than we consume. We feed the surplus electricity into the grid – and our employees also benefit: Charging private electric vehicles is free for them.
Sustainability also plays a central role in our customer projects. With our patented motor-pump unit SAVE ENERGY for control pumps, our customers can achieve significant energy savings. And in retrofit projects, for example, 40 or 50-year-old presses are updated hydraulically and control-wise to the latest standard – without the need for purchasing a whole new press.

Wirtschaftsforum: How do you see the future?

Markus Schwarzkopf: As far as the further development of Pregler is concerned, I am very optimistic. Even in the crisis-ridden last few years, we have managed a positive development. But with all the expertise, flexibility, and strength that we undoubtedly have: We do not live on an island of the blessed. In the long term, we continue to need strong and successful industrial customers with whom we can collaborate and grow together. I only see this as possible if Germany as an industrial location regains its old strength.