The founding of Rolf Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG was based on the vision of Jürgen Rolf, who recognized the growing importance of laser technology. Together with his wife Susanne Rolf and supported by his children Tobias and Carina Rolf, he decided to take the risk. "We put all our eggs in one basket at that time," recalls Tobias Rolf. "The first machine cost 650,000 EUR and we had to operate economically from day one." From the outset, it was clear that the company's success was not guaranteed. The operation started on just 500 m² and soon there was the first setback: An electrical fire in the office set the building ablaze. "It was a traumatic experience," says Tobias Rolf. But giving up was not an option. "My father said, 'Now more than ever!' – and within a few months, the business was rebuilt." This experience brought the family business even closer together and laid the foundation for the work ethic that still characterizes the company today.

Growth through Focus on Laser Technology

In the following years, the company grew steadily. Tobias Rolf officially joined the management in 2007 and the operation expanded. Today, the premises of Rolf Lasertechnik GmbH & Co. KG span an impressive 17,000 m², including 3,500 m² of production space and 500 m² of office space. The number of employees has risen to 50 and the company processes around 8,000 t of metal annually. A key factor in the success of Rolf Lasertechnik is the early focus on laser technology. "Our core competence lies in the thermal separation of metals," explains Tobias Rolf. "We offer a wide range of services, including laser cutting, plasma cutting, and oxy-fuel cutting. Additionally, we handle machining, making us a complete provider for the metalworking industry."

Advancing Through Flexibility in Times of Crisis

The company has specialized particularly in the production of small series and prototypes. "We are often the first manufacturing instance for mechanical engineering," says Tobias Rolf. "We produce cuttings and bent profiles for customers who require the highest precision and flexibility." By storing large quantities of raw materials, the company is able to process orders quickly and cost-effectively. "This flexibility is an essential part of our business model and has proven to be a great advantage, especially in times of crisis," adds Tobias Rolf. The past few years, however, have put the company to a severe test. "The fluctuating material prices were one of the biggest challenges," recalls the Managing Director. "We had weeks where steel prices increased by up to 25%." However, the company was able to ensure material supplies through its proactive storage and strong partnerships – such as the cooperation with a dealer from Salzgitter. "We stored all available sheets to continue production," reports Tobias Rolf. But the next crisis was not long in coming. The war in Ukraine hit the entire metal industry hard, particularly through the shutdown of the steel plant in Mariupol, one of the largest suppliers of raw steel in Europe. "We suddenly found ourselves without material," says Tobias Rolf. "Our suppliers could no longer give us binding prices and orders already placed were canceled." Thanks to the flexibility and close cooperation with other suppliers, however, the company was able to continue production and maintain its customer base.

Building a Successful Future with Strong Relationships

Despite these setbacks, Tobias Rolf is optimistic about the future. "We have emerged stronger from the crises," he says. "Our flexibility and close cooperation with customers and suppliers have helped us to stay successful." In the coming years, the company plans to invest in new machines and technology to continue manufacturing at the highest level. A central element of the strategy is building long-term customer relationships. "We maintain a personal, peer-level relationship with our customers," emphasizes Tobias Rolf. This closeness enables the company to offer tailored solutions and respond flexibly to customer needs. "Our customers know that they can rely on us, especially in times of supply shortages," he adds. The reliability and strong teamwork in a family-like company have proven to be important success factors to continue being flexible and reliable in a changing market.