Window to the Future
Interview with Miriam Berzen, Managing Director of Klaes GmbH & Co. KG
When Horst Klaes developed a software solution for free window design in 1983, he laid the foundation for a company that is today a global leader in software development for the window, door, facade, and conservatory industry. With the 2nd generation in management, Klaes GmbH & Co. KG not only continues the success story but also the values of a family-owned business that focuses on trust, employee retention, and innovation.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Berzen, you run the company together with your brother as the second generation. Was that always the plan?
Miriam Berzen: Not explicitly, but it was somehow in the air. My brother and I have aligned our courses of study from the beginning towards our family business. I studied business administration, and my brother comes from a carpentry apprenticeship and a degree in wood technology. In 2011, we officially joined the company – at first as department heads, later together in the management. In 2015, our father completely retired. It was a well-planned, very straightforward transition.
Wirtschaftsforum: What would you name as the most important milestones in the history of the company?
Miriam Berzen: The breakthrough was clearly the development of the free window construction – a novelty at the beginning of the 1980s. Word spread quickly, and even machinery and profile manufacturers approached us. This led to a tremendous growth spurt. Today, we operate worldwide with about 285 employees – 138 of them at our headquarters in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler – and achieve an annual turnover of around 26 million EUR.
Wirtschaftsforum: What makes Klaes particularly successful today?
Miriam Berzen: It's the interplay of several factors: Our employees are a key success factor – we invested timely, recruited good people, and trained many ourselves. Our software continues to evolve, and we consciously opt for a standardized solution that companies can adapt to their processes – not the other way around. Moreover, we offer our clients stability and security, which is extremely important especially in economically uncertain times.
Wirtschaftsforum: You mentioned it: Your software is standardized. Why this approach?
Miriam Berzen: We never wanted to be a service provider that knits a custom solution for each company. Our software represents an industry standard which processes can align with. This brings advantages: less maintenance effort, better update capability, more sustainability. At the same time, our product portfolio covers all company sizes – from small crafts businesses to industrial production.
Wirtschaftsforum: What does the portfolio actually look like?
Miriam Berzen: We offer ERP solutions specifically for our industry – from quotation to order processing and invoicing to design and machine control. This includes webshops, trade programs, 2D and 3D designs for windows, doors, facades, and conservatories. We organize companies – that's how we like to describe it. We are particularly strong in the wood and plastic sectors, and aluminum is increasingly being added.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you succeed at an international level?
Miriam Berzen: Today we are present in about 20 countries with approximately 28 locations – through subsidiaries, offices, or partners. About two-thirds of our turnover is generated domestically, and one-third from exports, like in the Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, or Spain.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you position yourself as an employer?
Miriam Berzen: We aim to be a safe, attractive employer – this is very important to us. Therefore, we invest in training, in benefits such as home office, flexible working hours based on trust, an in-house childcare facility or after-work events. Our cafeteria, sports facilities, and small gestures like ice cream in the summer or waffles in the winter are expressions of our appreciation. We cultivate a team spirit, flat hierarchies, and a trust-based cooperation.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are a woman in a male-dominated industry – does that make a difference?
Miriam Berzen: Sometimes, yes. Especially in our industry, women still have to prove themselves. But I believe that different perspectives enrich a company. And we see that generations are changing – diversity is more taken for granted among the younger ones. That gives hope.
Wirtschaftsforum: Where do you see Klaes in the coming years?
Miriam Berzen: Our goal is healthy, steady growth. We want to further develop our software solutions, ensure knowledge transfer from long-standing employees and continue to offer reliability to our clients. In doing so, we do not lose sight of our values as a family company. The atmosphere at Klaes is something special – not just according to us, but also our employees. And we want to preserve this.