Success Lies in Technology
Interview with Walter Sayer, Managing Director of IPR-Intelligent Peripherals for Robots GmbH
With a clear strategic line, technical precision, and a keen sense for customer needs, IPR – Intelligent Peripherals for Robots GmbH has successfully asserted itself in a highly specialized market segment. In conversation with Managing Director Walter Sayer, it becomes clear why customized solutions, international presence, and increasingly intelligent products are the success factors of this medium-sized company.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does this portfolio look like today, and do you plan to expand it further?
Walter Sayer: Our revenue is roughly evenly distributed across three areas: components such as grippers or tool changers, drive axes for robots, and system solutions – like those for painting systems. We are particularly strong in custom solutions for foundries. Our strength is to respond quickly and precisely to customer-specific requirements. Our goal is to make our products even smarter – through digitalization and AI. For this, we have set up the software department. We also want to grow in service and develop new offerings.
Wirtschaftsforum: How international is your business?
Walter Sayer: Germany remains our largest individual market, followed by the USA and Mexico. However, many of our products reach foreign countries through German customers – often to Eastern Europe or Asia. So, our business is international, even if the order formally comes from Germany.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you consider the foundations for the success of your company?
Walter Sayer: We are very close to our customers and mainly offer quick, tailored solutions. Our size allows us short decision paths. And we are fortunate to have found the right niches for ourselves.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you want to take IPR in the coming years, what do you want to achieve?
Walter Sayer: A significant issue for us – as for many others – is the shortage of skilled workers. To counter this, we have already invested a lot: We are active on social media, attend local trade fairs, and actively seek cooperation with schools and clubs. For example, because there is no bus connection, we have our apprentices picked up by taxi from the train station. We also organize joint action days with other companies in the industrial park. Thus, we have already significantly improved our situation. However, the search for skilled workers will remain an important topic in the future. We also strive for further growth, including internationally. Additionally, we want to make our products more autonomous – so develop plug-and-play solutions that require less coordination. This strengthens our position and creates more customer benefits.
Wirtschaftsforum: What personally drives you?
Walter Sayer: In automation, I see the opportunity to make dangerous and unpleasant work easier while at the same time securing our prosperity. We will not remain competitive through low wages, but through technology. That is what I am committed to.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Sayer, let's start by looking back briefly: Which developments have been particularly important for IPR in recent years?
Walter Sayer: There were mainly two things: firstly, the establishment of our own software department, and secondly, our entry into battery manufacturing technology. In addition, we have invested heavily in our US subsidiary and set up a demonstration center there. The goal was to develop the USA as a location as independently as possible from Germany. This is paying off today.
Wirtschaftsforum: Do you anticipate further growth?
Walter Sayer: In 2021 we were at about 20 million EUR, last year at 32 million - with an upward trend. Prospects look good for continued growth by the end of 2025.
Wirtschaftsforum: Tell us a little about yourself: What was your motivation to take over the management at IPR and what do you see as your tasks there?
Walter Sayer: I have been managing director since 2021. Originally, I came from the machine tool industry and worked in Switzerland for over 15 years, most recently also in a leading position. The move back to Germany was for private reasons. IPR was an exciting challenge for me - a company with potential and scope for design. As managing director, I see myself equally as an operational leader and strategic impulse provider. Especially in our size, one must perform both roles.
Wirtschaftsforum: You talked about expanding into new markets. Which industries are you currently particularly interested in?
Walter Sayer: In addition to battery technology, we are considering entering the construction industry. Initial steps have been taken, some successfully, some slowed down by the general economic situation. Logistics is also a potential future market. The goal is to broaden and make our portfolio more resilient to crises.