In the Lab of Possibilities
Interview with Johannes Steinel, Managing Director of Schirm GmbH
The chemical industry is a fundamental pillar of the global economy. Schirm GmbH from Schönebeck (Elbe) is among the leading medium-sized specialists in contract manufacturing for chemical substances – from synthesis to formulation to packaging – and stands for innovative product development and high quality standards. In conversation with Wirtschaftsforum, Managing Director Johannes Steinel answers questions about growth, digitization, and his role in the industry.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Steinel, you have been CTO since December 2022 and CEO since April 2024 of Schirm GmbH, leading the company together with Thomas Schulz. What was your first impression when joining?
Johannes Steinel: The moment was very motivating for me – a company with an excellent reputation that is leading in its core competencies. The wide range of services from synthesis to packaging and assembly shows how deep and diverse Schirm GmbH is structured. From the beginning, my focus was on strengthening what already exists and setting new impulses.
Wirtschaftsforum: What environment did you find when you arrived – and what have you changed?
Johannes Steinel: Schirm brings strong technical and developmental expertise. The challenge for me was to advance digitalization. Making processes more efficient, using data better, and offering a performance spectrum more aligned with customer needs – those were clear levers. Additionally, we invested in modern analytics and optimized the interfaces with customers and suppliers.
Wirtschaftsforum: Schirm is considered highly specialized – what do you see as the core competencies and future topics?
Johannes Steinel: Our strength lies in the breadth of our processes: from dry and wet milling, granulation, and formulation to packaging.
In the future, sustainability, digitalization, and customer-centric development are top priorities. We are investigating how we can expand resource-saving processes and bring more transparency to production processes with the help of data analytics.
Wirtschaftsforum: How does Schirm position itself in the industry? Who are your main customers and competitors?
Johannes Steinel: We work for chemical producers in various sectors - such as agrochemistry, pharmaceuticals, or specialty chemicals. Our Asian and European competitors often focus only on individual production steps. Our advantage lies in the complete solution: one contact point, a holistic process, high quality, shorter supply chains - this is a strong argument for our customers.
Wirtschaftsforum: As a mid-sized company like Schirm - how do you deal with the skills shortage and pressure to transform?
Johannes Steinel: We focus on education, further training, and digitalization of the workplace. Our offerings range from dual study programs to modern e-learning solutions. The goal is to retain employees in the long term and at the same time implement sustainable processes - climate-friendly, efficient and fit for the future.
Wirtschaftsforum: What goals do you pursue in the coming years?
Johannes Steinel: We aim for moderate growth by expanding existing markets and selective cooperations. Digitalization remains a key issue – for example, through the introduction of sensors and analytics along the value chain (such as inline monitoring). In parallel, we are expanding our service portfolio to include sustainable services. The goal is to be perceived as a top service provider for specialty and biochemistry.
Wirtschaftsforum: What advice do you have for other medium-sized companies undergoing transformation?
Johannes Steinel: Keep the courage to change – but step by step. Digitalization, sustainability, and skilled employees are the pillars that make a company future-proof. And: communicate openly and look for allies – with partners, universities, and institutes.