Staying Special
Interview with Martin Ebner, CEO of StramaGroup
Special machine construction is a demanding field of activity that brings constant change. A prime example is the integration of state-of-the-art automation technology, which makes productions more efficient, flexible and future-proof and opens up new perspectives. The StramaGroup, with its headquarters Strama-MPS in Straubing, has stood for quality, continuity, and reliability in machinery and plant engineering for decades. Today, the internationally operating group is valued as a solution provider for special machine construction.
Drilling, turning, milling – classic activities of a mechanical engineering company. For a long time, this was also the core business of StramaGroup. Today, the range of tasks is more differentiated and StramaGroup enjoys high international acclaim as a special machine builder.
From zero to complete
Alfred Michaelis founded the company in 1946 in Straubing; in the post-war period he started from scratch, repaired machines and thus supported the reconstruction. The first employee was an apprentice – a deliberate choice that continues to shape StramaGroup to this day. Until the late 1990s, traditional CNC machining processes such as milling, turning, and assembly were the focus of Strama; then came a turning point, the beginning of something new. "Following a company split, MPS was created," explains Managing Director Martin Ebner.
"The merger of Strama and MPS in 2001 was the kick-off for our current core competency and thus a crucial milestone. Since then, the development has moved away from pure CNC machining towards special machine construction and automation technology."
Until 2015, the Strama-Group grew continuously; both nationally and internationally. Locations in China, Mexico, and the USA were established, with both Greenfield foundations and Brownfield investments. As early as 2014, the company focused on e-mobility, realized smaller projects, 2016 the first major project and thus took another important step towards the future: moving from a machinery manufacturer to a general contractor that builds machines and systems. While previously solely active in the automotive sector, the Strama-Group today also develops automation solutions for clients in medical technology, the aviation sector, or the e-bike sector.
Act globally, close to customers
Following this dynamic development, today approximately 1,850 employees work for the group; the majority, around 1,200 employees, in Germany, 400 in Croatia, 100 in China, and another 100 in North America. With a total performance of 300 million EUR per year, StramaGroup is one of the larger special machine-building companies; in some areas, such as e-mobility and specifically in automations for battery technology, the company is among the Top 10 worldwide. "There is hardly a country in the world where there isn't a machine from us," emphasizes Martin Ebner.
"We have customers all around the globe. China was booming for a long time; however, demand has significantly decreased in recent years. Today, Eastern Europe forms a strong market, and there is also a clear trend towards North America." To serve customers globally, StramaGroup has locations in North America, Mexico, the USA, China, and Singapore. There are service locations in India, a branch in Croatia, and three in Germany. A network that guarantees proximity to customers and brings challenges; currently, StramaGroup is in the phase of group formation on an international level.
"Our goal is to be perceived as StramaGroup as a whole," says Martin Ebner. "We need to make the international strength of the group more transparent and utilize synergies." Customers around the world appreciate the company’s philosophy and trust it, often for decades. "We solve problems, are open to changes, and interested in long-term partnerships," emphasizes Martin Ebner. "The passion for innovation leads to unique solutions that others cannot offer."
Investing in training and thus in the future
The positive development is driven by the employees; employees who have been working for the company for a long time and identify with its philosophy. An important element of this philosophy is the strong focus on training, which has been embedded in the company's DNA since its founding.
"When the first employee is an apprentice, it says a lot about a company," explains Martin Ebner. "Today, there are over 100 apprentices working at the headquarters in Straubing. Since 2022, we have our own academy for further training offers. Our employees are engaged in a very special area, the construction of custom machinery. Almost every machine is unique with special features; for this, we offer corresponding training."
Martin Ebner is himself a good example of the training opportunities at the company. He has been working for Strama for 15 years, learning all areas from the ground up. He completed an apprenticeship, was a dual student, and has been the managing director since 2022. "The fact that StramaGroup has always placed great importance on training has proven advantageous against the backdrop of the skilled labor shortage," emphasizes Martin Ebner.
"We invested early, can rely on a solid staff base, and therefore do not currently have significant problems. Since 2008, we have been offering the possibility of a dual study program, which five to ten students use annually. Apprentices find an exciting field of work within the StramaGroup. Because we operate globally, there is, for example, the opportunity to explore other countries. Last but not least, we do not offer just one product or one machine, but unique, innovative products with individual characteristics. Thus, everyone here can find their dream job."
Exceptionally well-trained employees are a unique selling proposition and the most important foundation; another is the very differentiated corporate setup. "We have a large segment in e-mobility, but also smaller sectors in special machining centers, test stands, or robotic applications. There are bigger players in this market, but we intentionally do not want to broaden our portfolio too much in order not to lose focus. Our goal is to be able to serve different technology areas within automation technology and thus create resilience.">
Seizing Opportunities, Pushing Boundaries
The StramaGroup operates at the cutting edge, delivering innovative automation solutions for complex components and systems of tomorrow. For this, the company relies on modern digital technologies. "Standards are essential for digitalization," says Martin Ebner. "We have been developing our own PLC and software standards for 20 years, which makes us very flexible, but we can also cater to customers' standards. Of course, AI is also a topic for us. We use specific algorithms that make processes even safer and thus more efficient, and we are working on virtual commissioning."
Staying Special
The StramaGroup develops solutions for tomorrow's problems with a distinct spirit of innovation – this includes constructively dealing with the issue of sustainability. PV systems for environmentally friendly power generation, waste sorting, and recycling are standard; with the machines themselves, the customers set the pace, as Martin Ebner says. Projects with alternative technologies have already been implemented. In the future, the StramaGroup wants to establish its innovative automation solutions in new industries, remain financially independent and, lastly, stay special and advance something special. 'Moving the limits together, constantly' is not without reason a maxim of the company.