Driving the Future with New Momentum

Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Guyon, REDEX is a globally active company that specializes in sophisticated solutions for the high-precision industry and convinces with innovation and quality made in Europe. What has the development of the group looked like up to this point? 

Jacques Guyon: The company was founded in 1949 in France; at that time, the focus was on developing a new planetary gearbox that was suitable for many different applications; for wire, foil, strip, and for synchronizing mechanical components. Over time, three main focuses emerged: drive technology, precision rolling mills, and strip processing technology. 

Wirtschaftsforum: How can this further development be seen in today's positioning, and how has the location in Germany evolved?

Alexis Trouillet: REDEX began to expand externally very early, already in the 1950s. In Germany, products were initially distributed through representatives, with the foundation of REDEX GmbH in 2006, direct sales began. In 2012, Bühler GmbH, a competitor in Pforzheim, was acquired, followed by Ungerer GmbH in 2017, and BWG technologies GmbH in 2020; two years ago, the three companies merged. Today, the group employs 400 staff members, with 100 in Germany. The special aspect is that we not only develop here, but also produce and assemble. We are a globally operating company with exceptionally technology-oriented locations. Previously, mechanical engineering was heavily mechanical; today, a lot is automated, which improved the quality and increased the efficiency. Today, we see ourselves as a classic mid-sized company with a variety of applications and markets. REDEX stands for a broad lineup with pronounced expertise. 

Wirtschaftsforum: How do you split the management responsibilities at REDEX GmbH? 

Jacques Guyon: We complement each other excellently. As CTO, I am responsible for the technology sector, but I also advise in the precision rolling mills area. 

Alexis Trouillet: At the Pforzheim location, we have a large factory where production, assembly, and distribution take place. This is where I see my area of responsibility. An important issue that I deal with together with the managers of our company is organization. Like most mechanical engineering companies in Germany, we feel that demographic development is increasingly having concrete impacts on our organization. For decades, our workforce was relatively stable. Now, as many employees will soon retire, we urgently need to prepare to attract new talents from the younger generation and integrate them carefully. We need to pass on future-relevant knowledge to the new generation and further develop both our customer orientation and our profitability. However, the market continues to change – and people must be carried along in this transformation.

Wirtschaftsforum: Let's return to the products. Are there any particular highlights?

Jacques Guyon: One big challenge is the electrification of the industry. For applications in e-mobility, for instance, new materials need to be rolled. Another topic concerns the recycling of materials, in which we are heavily involved. Recycled materials have different properties and need to be treated differently.

Alexis Trouillet: To truly be innovative, we network and form partnerships with universities, research institutions, startups, and suppliers. This ability to cooperate in order to develop cutting-edge technology is a distinctive feature.

Wirtschaftsforum: What challenges do you currently see in the market?

Jacques Guyon: The geopolitical uncertainties are challenging. Some of our customers, therefore, have to forgo projects because these risks are unbearable for them. On the other hand, many customers invest despite the current situation, as they can achieve significant competitive advantages thanks to our machines – even under difficult conditions.

Alexis Trouillet: The most valuable resource of a company is its employees. Even in our market, it is extremely important to continue focusing on the human factor. Despite all the possibilities that arise from modern technology such as electrification, automation, and artificial intelligence, we must not forget that humans remain indispensable for sustainable success. For our customers, we develop and produce state-of-the-art machines that must handle complex tasks. They serve not only to deliver the desired performance but also enable that changes or unplanned events such as disruptions can be managed faster, more reliably, and more safely by the operators. Even if machines are capable of learning, they cannot fully replace the experience and adaptability of the operators. Internally, the human factor also plays a central role. Without the curiosity, mutual support, and intercultural thinking of each employee, we as a team cannot successfully meet the high market demands.