Precision Products with Heart
Interview with Viktoria Steiner, Technical Managing Director and Sascha Keilwerth, Deputy Managing Director of raro plastics gmbh
A kind of startup with a long tradition. Medium-sized family business and a major global player. Open to new ideas and at the same time principled. raro plastics gmbh from Berlin brings together many different aspects to offer the best possible solutions to its customers. But above all, raro offers highly precise work from a single source. And with heart.
raro has established itself as a specialist for demanding work in mold making and tool construction among companies in the medical technology, automotive industry, security technology, and electrical and electronics sectors, building a reputation for quality and reliability. The products are shipped to China and the USA. Since 2021, the Berlin-based company has been a subsidiary of Novapax Kunststofftechnik Steiner GmbH & Co. KG. raro looks back on a 125-year history. Originally, steel types for typewriters were manufactured, which in the 1980s and 1990s were replaced by plastic type wheels, which are still offered today. With Viktoria Steiner, a committed and active managing director leads raro. "We are a small team of about 20 employees, where everyone helps and supports each other," she emphasizes. "When there's a need, it is natural for me to lend a hand. The customer always comes first for us; it's about supplying them with quality products promptly and reliably."
The down-to-earth and pragmatic businesswoman, who always has an open ear for her team's issues even on vacation, is supported by Sascha Keilwerth. The Deputy Managing Director has worked for international automobile corporations for a long time and now appreciates the flat hierarchies, the flexibility, and the quick decisions of the medium-sized family company. 'Anyone who comes to us with an idea will receive a complete carefree package with full processes, complete development, and toolmaking,' he says. 'This sets us apart from the competition. We specialize in small batch sizes up to 100,000 units, but through cooperation with Novapax, for which we are an extended workbench, we can cover everything. Behind these services stand 125 years of tradition and the realization that experience cannot be bought.'
Good from Experience
Thanks to 125 years of experience, raro is able to adapt to market changes and the growing demands of customers. As a supplier for various industries, the company manufactures a variety of products. An example is the development of a balloon shape for stents, where the tooling department is heavily involved. "Medical technology plays a central role for us," says Viktoria Steiner. "We are certified according to ISO 1385, have a class 8 cleanroom, and will continue to expand this area in the future. We developed the balloon shape ourselves and thus have a unique selling point in the market.
Generally, we are open to all industries and always try to find a solution. "The market is developing ever faster and one has to consider which trend to follow, what really makes sense," adds Sascha Keilwerth. "Despite all openness, it is important to stay true to one's line and show continuity. Over the many years in the market, we have seen that the good prevails, that in calm, in quality, and in results lies the strength.
Unlike many competitors, quality is raro's top priority. We aim for long-term customer relationships." Viktoria Steiner also emphasizes that customer contacts are intensively maintained; the human component is very important. This also applies to the relationship with employees. The familial teamwork is an important characteristic of the company and a secure foundation, especially in challenging times. "We are not experiencing golden times right now," says Viktoria Steiner. "We watch what the market does and remain inventive. Above all, we remain a company with heart."