Silver Lining: High-tech Meets Sustainability
Interview with Christian Veser, Managing Director of VEMA technische Kunststoffteile GmbH
In Krauchenwies, not far from Lake Constance, VEMA technische Kunststoffteile GmbH is located. This family business, which employs 65 people, has developed under the leadership of Managing Director Christian Veser, who shares the management of the company with his father Werner Veser, into one of the leading providers of technical plastic parts, whose products are particularly in demand in the automotive industry.
"Our success story began as a classic garage startup," explains Christian Veser. "My father laid the foundation for the company 42 years ago." After two years, injection molding was added to the portfolio alongside toolmaking, which paved the way for a stronger focus on the automotive sector. Already in the 1990s, the potential of optical components such as lenses, light guides, and front optics was recognized, which now account for more than half of the revenue of well over 8 million EUR. "We specialized early on quality and precision, which makes us today one of the top providers in Germany," adds the managing director. "Our clients include leading Tier-1 suppliers in the automotive industry that source components for premium vehicles – a business that remains largely stable through electromobility."
Sustainability and Innovation
Sustainability has long been an integral part of the company philosophy. At the location occupied since 2012, there is a complete reliance on non-fossil fuels. "We exclusively use the waste heat from our machines for heating and generate 35% of our electricity ourselves – all without subsidies," emphasizes Christian Veser. VEMA is ISO 14001 certified and continuously invests in photovoltaic and energy-efficient technologies, but also in automation. For several years now, cobots, collaborative robots, have been used. "This relieves our employees, who can focus on more skilled activities," explains the managing director. "We developed the corresponding automation solutions ourselves."
Broad Portfolio
In addition to the automotive industry, VEMA is also active in other sectors, such as plumbing and medical technology. The company manufactures plastic interiors for high-quality fittings that are certified for drinking water. "Our broad portfolio has carried us through difficult phases in recent years," says Christian Veser. "Furthermore, our customers know they can rely on us. We deliver on time and in the desired quality - that is our claim."
Future and Responsibility
Despite challenges such as the energy crisis and rising costs, VEMA plans to build a new hall by 2025 and is pushing forward with digitalization. The goal is to become more efficient and to bring automation solutions to the market as an independent product.