Process Competence in Contract Manufacturing
Interview with Mark Schürmann, Managing Director of ProChem GmbH
Whether in cosmetics, food processing, chemistry, or high-tech electronics – the demands on contract manufacturers are increasing. ProChem GmbH is well-positioned in this challenging environment and scores with flexibility, a variety of processes, and rapid response capability. Mark Schürmann, one of the three managing directors of the company based in Berlin, talks about sustainable expansion, international customer relations, and new perspectives in the food industry.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Schürmann, how was ProChem GmbH founded and how has the company developed?
Mark Schürmann: ProChem was founded about 27 years ago by two transport entrepreneurs who spontaneously developed a drying solution for a customer. From there, step by step, it grew into an independent company. Today we have six locations - including in Dieburg, Rodgau, and Frankfurt-Höchst - and about 300 employees. Many of our sites were created by reactivating closed plants, which we purposefully put back into operation.
Wirtschaftsforum: How is your company positioned today and which industries do you serve?
Mark Schürmann: We exclusively work as a chemical-technical contract manufacturer, without our own products. Our business is based on four pillars: food, cosmetics, electronic materials, and classic chemistry. Depending on the order, we refine raw materials, produce intermediates, or carry out complex processing steps. The formulations and materials are usually provided by the customer, and we implement them reliably and with process safety. We currently generate around 20 million EUR in sales - with the goal of growing to 30 million EUR through our most recent site expansions.
Wirtschaftsforum: How are your customer relationships structured and what role does international business play?
Mark Schürmann: About 60% of our revenue is generated with customers in Germany, including many large chemical companies. The remaining 40% is distributed across international markets - such as Ireland, France, Taiwan, Korea, but also North and South America. Our specialization in certain processes is increasingly opening up international partnerships for us.
Wirtschaftsforum: What requirements do your customers have for you?
Mark Schürmann: Many customers value our speed and flexibility – we often implement new processes within just a few weeks. Especially in uncertain market phases, we are a reliable partner, even when customers do not yet have their own capacities.
Wirtschaftsforum: What role do digitalization, artificial intelligence, and sustainability play in your company?
Mark Schürmann: In production itself, AI has so far been scarcely used, as we work with stable, predefined recipes. In project development or engineering, we increasingly use digital tools, such as for visualization and planning. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to us – for example through the recycling of solvents and the use of energy-efficient processes. We are SEDEX and Ecovadis certified and continuously develop measures to conserve resources. Economically, not every green technology is immediately feasible, but technically we are often one step ahead, such as with electrically operated spray dryers.
Wirtschaftsforum: How are you addressing the increasing shortage of skilled workers?
Mark Schürmann: We are fortunate to be able to rely on very experienced, long-standing teams at some locations – for example in Dieburg or Obertal. In Frankfurt-Höchst, we were also able to secure qualified personnel through plant takeovers. We provide our own training – yet it is becoming increasingly difficult to attract young people to our work. We are actively working on this.