Service in the Name and in the DNA
Interview with Dane Tarhan, Managing Director of Te-Mo Service GmbH
From assembly service provider to IT, quality, packaging, and warehouse logistics expert: This is roughly how the development of Te-Mo Service GmbH can be described in one sentence. But the company is so much more for its customers: a partner with handshake quality, who takes responsibility, can impress with a broad range of services, and accompanies its customers on a sustainable path.
Te-Mo Service GmbH was founded just before the turn of the millennium, in 1999, by Hakan Tarhan. This year, the family business, now run by the second generation, Dane and Deniz Tarhan, sons of the founder, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
IT as a separate business division
"Since its founding, we have been able to achieve an average annual growth of 16%," says CEO Dane Tarhan. Especially in recent years, a lot has changed: About four years ago, an independent IT department was established, which implements ERP systems for the company's clients and takes over project management for IT projects. "This area has very classically emerged from within the company," Dane Tarhan reflects. "My brother Deniz is a professional computer scientist, coming from the IT sector. We had decided back then to establish IT as an autonomous area – a decision that has proven to be absolutely correct in hindsight, as digitalization has become an indispensable part of all business processes.
It is therefore very valuable for us to practically have IT ‘in-house’ for our own manufacturing processes. But above all, in terms of the services we can offer our customers, it represents an additional pillar for us. Two years ago, an injection molding production was added as another business division. There, too, production is digitally controlled. 'In this respect, IT is now fully included in our processes and has also given us a significant boost in production and logistics,' says the CEO.
Portfolio with a Wide Range
Previously, Te-Mo Service only provided processing and assembly of plastic parts for its clients, but today the company can offer all services from a single source through its extensive portfolio. The range of services in the Industrial Service sector includes the manufacturing of plastic parts by injection molding, assembly of products and entire assemblies, even under cleanroom conditions. Other areas include hot stamping, quality control, product packaging, and warehouse logistics. In the field of AI and IT Service, Te-Mo Service takes on the implementation of ERP systems as well as the optimization of production processes, workplace setup, and the delivery of the required hardware and software for its customers. "Ultimately, the customer can relocate their entire production process to us and concentrate on their core business," explains Dane Tarhan. The step towards diversification was partly due to changes in the market caused by the pandemic. However, today the massively increasing labor and energy costs pose greater challenges. Many companies are therefore now relocating their production abroad. "We counter this with the broad scope of our services, which also includes highly complex assembly activities that not every provider can take over. Additionally, it means the customer has only one point of contact to manage all their concerns," the managing director points out the advantages of his company. "Our customers, some of whom we have had established partnerships with for 20 years, appreciate this immensely."
Clients from Many Industries
By now, Te-Mo Service has managed to attract clients from a variety of industries and employs nearly 140 staff, generating approximately 5 million EUR annually. "As we now offer cleanroom assembly, medical technology companies have also approached us," Dane Tarhan is pleased to say. A major client in battery manufacturing also values the services of Te-Mo Service – its name rightly suggests the excellent service the company is known for. "This client has completely outsourced their production to us, but we also offer various services to other clients in this sector." So far, new clients have often come to Te-Mo Service through recommendations from satisfied customers. Nevertheless, the company plans to increase its presence at industry trade shows next year and become even more active on social media than before.
On the Path to Sustainability
Another important issue for Te-Mo Service is sustainability. "Since we moved into our company building in Wörth, there has been a photovoltaic system on the roof," says the managing director. But that's not all, because as regards the materials used for injection molding, the company is also pursuing a sustainable path. "We have partnered with TIDE, a company from Switzerland that fishes plastic out of the world's oceans and turns it into a granulate made from 100% recycled material, from which we then produce injection molded parts again. It is important to us that we can offer our customers the option to choose a sustainable material," says Dane Tarhan.
Consolidating Achievements
With an eye on the future, Dane Tarhan is primarily focused on the present: "Right now, after a phase of strong growth, it's all about consolidation," he explains. "We want to solidify what we have achieved and expand our customer base. We also have a responsibility towards our employees. Therefore, we hope that the government will protect small and medium-sized enterprises: businesses must be kept in the country!