From a Sole Proprietorship to a Consortium
Interview with Karsten Drews, CEO of HBS Elektrobau (Holding) GmbH
The leaders of HBS Elektrobau (Holding) GmbH turned necessity into a virtue when they no longer had enough employees. The company from Oettersdorf in Thuringia began acquiring and integrating more firms and over time evolved into a thriving group. With the acquisitions, the scope of activities also expanded, and today HBS covers all tasks related to electrical engineering.
Necessity is the mother of invention. This can describe the development of today’s HBS Elektrobau (Holding) GmbH in one sentence. Dietmar Schindler, the stepfather of managing director Karsten Drews, had started the operation in 1991 with two partners. “We were very successful with electrical projects for industry and the public sector,” explains Karsten Drews. “But in the long run, we didn’t have enough employees to complete these orders. That’s why we came up with the idea of either cooperating with other companies in the industry or buying them as part of a succession arrangement. In this way, we wanted to bundle know-how and procurement of materials, as well as be more flexible in executing orders.” About fifteen years ago, the first company was purchased, followed by several others over time.
Proven Model of Success
This strategy of buying and incorporating has proven itself as a successful model to this day. After the departure of HBS Elektrobau founder Dietmar Schindler, no successor was found for his position as CEO, leading to the division of the company into four smaller corporations, simplifying their management. "We have divided our customers and created new companies from that," the CEO describes. Thus, HBS Elektrotechnik GmbH focuses on energy and building technology, while HBS Elektroanlagenbau GmbH specializes in medium-voltage technology, own switchgear construction, and traffic technology, with the latter mainly dealing with railway station electrification, switch heating, and tunnel safety lighting. The domain of HBS Maintenance & Service GmbH includes the maintenance of high and low voltage systems as well as safety technical systems. HBS Customer Service GmbH takes care of things like purchasing, financial administration, personnel issues, warehousing, reception, and controlling for the other HBS companies; the technical customer service of this division realizes projects around Oettersdorf.
25 Companies in the Consortium
Today, under the umbrella of HBS Elektrobau Holding, there are 25 consortium companies, about 80% of which were acquired. The remaining 20% are collaborations. The network of companies extends far beyond Oettersdorf. The consortium includes companies located in Berlin, Munich, Issum, Schwandorf, and in Poland. Training and further education are carried out in its own training center, where mentors take care of the next generation. The group even operates its own dormitory for trainees. Currently, nearly 1,000 employees work under the umbrella of the holding, with a turnover of 120 million EUR. Steffen Schindler and Karsten Drews direct the holding together. Kevin Drews manages HBS Elektroanlagenbau GmbH, Markus Grau leads Elektrotechnik GmbH and André Grau heads HBS Kundendienst GmbH & Co. KG. The management of HBS Maintenance & Service GmbH is shared by Dirk Schindler and Christian Scherf.
Active Nationwide in Germany
HBS operates throughout Germany. "At 90% of our projects, our employees are on assembly," the managing director clarifies. The range of services offered is as broad as the spectrum of customers. HBS works for companies from the transportation and logistics sector as well as for IKEA, Deutsche Bahn, and public clients. Flagship projects such as the electrical installation for the construction of Europe's first lithium hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld-Wolfen or the implementation of data and networking technology for the Bavarian State Parliament underscore the company's excellent reputation. However, this reputation did not come about by chance. Karsten Drews cites the reasons: "We are reliable, friendly, and offer quality at a fair price. We see ourselves as problem solvers and want to succeed together with our customers."
Digital and Sustainable
As an ambitious electrical company, HBS also sets standards in digitalization. "Within the group, we are connected in accounting, even though each individual business operates independently," explains the managing director. "We have a good ERP system and electronic invoicing is already standard for us." With photovoltaics on the roofs, comprehensive LED lighting, as well as hybrid vehicles and electric cars in the fleet, HBS is also well-positioned in environmental protection.
Benefits for Employees
Since nothing works without the employees, the focus is on respectful and appreciative cooperation. This includes various benefits such as a job bicycle, Christmas bonuses, subsidies for a nanny or household help, and a four-day work week. Flat hierarchies promote open and quick communication. "We can certainly imagine further acquisitions if it fits," Karsten Drews outlines the perspectives for the coming years. "We want to grow properly and healthily. We need to take care of our employees, advance them further and be a secure company for them." With great zeal, the managing director continues to tackle his tasks: "I don't like doing the same thing every day and I take great pleasure in seeing things bear fruit with our young, cool team."