When Innovation Saves Weight
Interview with Marnie Tietje, Head of Sales at SOMMER GmbH
Vehicle construction is changing rapidly: lightweight construction, sustainability and flexible solutions are more in demand than ever today. A company that has shaped this development for years is SOMMER GmbH from Laucha an der Unstrut. Founded 90 years ago as a wheelwright's workshop, the family business has developed into an international specialist for innovative vehicle bodies.
Founded 90 years ago as a wheelwright's workshop, the family business has evolved into an international specialist for innovative vehicle bodies. With its Ultralight systems made of polypropylene, SOMMER is setting standards in modern vehicle construction today – demonstrating how tradition and future can successfully meet within one company.
Ultralight Construction as a Unique Selling Point
"Many still think of us in terms of classic vehicle construction - but we have reinvented ourselves," explains Marnie Tietje, Head of Sales, Marketing & Homologation. Indeed, the company opened a completely new chapter in 2022: With so-called Ultralight structures made of polypropylene (PP), SOMMER relies on a material that is not only extremely light but also robust, waterproof, and 100% recyclable. "What's special is that we can produce the box as a self-supporting unit. This means: no more heavy profiles, but a structure made solely of one material - and thus unique in the market," says Marnie Tietje. The initiation began with a bicycle box, and now SOMMER realizes structures up to 7.5 tons. The advantages are manifold: higher payload, flexible conversions according to customer requirements, simpler repairs, and even a washable surface - a not to be underestimated factor in urban areas of use. "We continuously develop our products. Recently, for example, we introduced a new floor with GRP top layer and anti-slip surface.
'Innovation is not a project for us, but an ongoing process,' emphasizes Marnie Tietje. Around 150 employees in Germany and 120 in Poland work today for SOMMER GmbH. While the site in Poland continues to engage in traditional vehicle manufacturing, the focus in Germany is clearly on the innovative Ultralight systems. Internationally, the company is well positioned: customers come from all over Europe, but also from Israel or other regions of the world. For Marnie Tietje, working at SOMMER is more than just a job: 'I originally studied law, then I joined SOMMER and stayed. It excites me that we bring innovations to the market every year, that we develop and implement ideas together with the whole team. Our products are fun – and that’s the reason why I like working here.'
With a mix of tradition, a spirit of innovation, and a familial cohesion, SOMMER GmbH looks optimistically into the future. The 90th anniversary is not just a retrospective, but above all a promise: the success story continues.