With Attitude to the Roof – and Beyond
Interview with Sebastian Engelskirchen, Managing Director of Otto Lehmann GmbH
The demands on construction products are increasing – they should be efficient, durable, sustainable, and yet economical. Otto Lehmann GmbH, based in Neutraubling, has proven for decades that especially specialized medium-sized companies can set crucial impulses here. As a traditional company with over 170 years of history and high competence in metal processing, the company has worked its way into a strong position in the market – and is now looking resolutely forward.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Engelskirchen, you have been the managing director of Otto Lehmann GmbH since July 2025. What attracted you to this challenge?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: I had already become familiar with Lehmann through my work at the Federal Association for Hot-Dip Galvanizing. When the opportunity arose to take over the management together with Andreas Batzl, it was clear to me: This is an exciting step. Lehmann is a company with a long tradition, strong DNA, and a lot of potential – exactly the right place to set new impulses together with a dedicated team.
Wirtschaftsforum: What do you think particularly distinguishes Lehmann?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: There are several points. First, we are strong in a niche. Our products – such as safety roof hooks or rooftop module holders for solar panels – are technically demanding but very much in demand.
Secondly: We possess decades of expertise in metal processing. And thirdly – and perhaps most importantly – our employees live the company. Many have been with us for 30 or more years. 'Once Lehmann, always Lehmann' is not just an empty phrase with us, but a lived corporate culture.
Wirtschaftsforum: How do you intend to preserve and develop this corporate spirit for the future?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: It is important to us to focus on interpersonal relations – combined with a clear purpose behind what we do. Therefore, as part of a change-management process, we have developed a new mission and vision. Our vision: To make the world a bit safer and more climate-friendly together. Our mission: We combine traditional manufacturing techniques with innovative thinking. The aim is to continuously improve quality and sustainability and to provide solutions for changing markets.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role does innovation actually play?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: A very central one. Our aim is to become technology leaders. This also means: We need to develop more of our own patents, expand our product portfolio, and make our processes even more efficient. For this purpose, we have brought a colleague into the team who specifically takes care of the development of research and development. And we want to open up new markets with new products.
Our bestseller right now is the rooftop module holder for solar panels – a product that tradespeople appreciate for its simplicity, robustness, and efficiency. However, we do not want to focus solely on the roof. If we can do roofs, we can also do other building products. Applications in the field of renewable energies and new markets such as France, Spain, the USA, or Canada are also in our focus. Additionally, we aim to support the rebuilding of Ukraine in the future, for instance through our expertise in decentralized energy networks.
Wirtschaftsforum: Lehmann continues to exclusively produce in Germany. Is this a deliberate location decision?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: Absolutely. We are a Bavarian company – from Bavaria to the world. For us, producing here is part of our identity. Of course, this is a challenge in a high-wage country. However, through automation, efficiency, and good relationships with our works council, we manage to remain competitive – while also offering fair wages and a good working atmosphere.
Wirtschaftsforum: You have been a member of the SPD for 20 years. How do you view the current political situation from a business perspective?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: Politics and business should ideally go hand in hand. What I currently miss is the courage for profound reforms – for instance, in health insurance, pensions, or taxes. The biggest costs for companies are not energy or raw materials, but the social security contributions that employers have to pay. We need to address the structures, otherwise, the system will crash. At the same time, it is good that the government is investing in the future – we fully support this.
Wirtschaftsforum: Finally, a personal question: What motivates you to be part of the economy – and not, for example, a full-time politician?
Sebastian Engelskirchen: As an entrepreneur, you have direct responsibility for people, for jobs, for societal impact. You see what your own actions result in. Additionally, I have the opportunity here to rethink leadership – not top-down, but in dialogue. It's challenging but also meaningful. And if you really want to change a company, it can only be done together with the people.