You will never walk alone
The Covid-19 pandemic makes 2020 an exceptional year. During this challenging time, Grenzebach employees, customers, partners and suppliers around the world demonstrated how they surpass themselves, grow closer virtually and find ways to drive projects together despite all odds. You will never walk alone: Grenzebach started using this song title earlier in the year in its service communication and it has become the motto for the team spirit within the Grenzebach network.
"I would like to thank all of our customers and partners for their loyalty and cooperation in 2020. We work very closely with companies all over the world. We all regret missing out on the opportunity to meet in person at tradeshows, events and meetings - each and every one of us prefers the direct exchange. I am very delighted to see how quickly and professionally our teams and partners are adapting to the changing situation in the face of the Corona pandemic. We remain close to each other even in these times, albeit virtually, and share the experience, that they provide opportunities as well," says Dr. Steven Althaus, CEO of the Grenzebach Group.
“I would like to thank all of our customers and partners for their loyalty and cooperation in 2020. We remain close to each other even in these times, albeit virtually, and share the experience, that they provide opportunities as well.”
A bang with a long echo: „LogiMAT goes Hamlar“
When the pandemic started to affect the tradeshow industry, Grenzebach became a pioneer in digital tradeshows with the project "LogiMAT goes Hamlar". The Intralogistics business unit, which has great strategic importance to the company, was able to open up new ways of reaching target groups with the digital LogiMAT. There was a lot of positive feedback, which gave Grenzebach energy for a challenging year 2020. In addition, the courageous approach brought valuable experience for more digital shows.
Open for virtual exchange
At Powtech and Global Gypsum Conference, both virtual, Grenzebach experts were in close contact with customers and interested parties. "We were very pleased to be present at the tradeshow premieres in the digital arena - and we are delighted that our customers and partners are as well open to the new formats. Our teams gained a lot of momentum from the events," says Frédéric Erben, Head of Corporate Strategy & Communications at Grenzebach. This also applies to the virtual glasstec that took place in October, which brought together glass producers and technology experts from all over the world. The participants embarked on a new journey: During webinars, presentations and in the digital showroom they received information provided by Grenzebach's technology experts and joined discussions in digital spaces.
“We were very pleased to be present at the tradeshow premieres in the digital arena - and we are happy that our customers and partners are as well open to the new formats.”
Grenzebach and CNUD EFCO GFT with bundled competence
Grenzebach and CNUD EFCO GFT presented themselves together for the first time during the virtual glasstec in October. Since this year they have been combining their experience and expertise in flat glass production for integrated solutions for increasingly complex production lines. "From the tin bath to the annealing lehr to the cold end, from coating to transporting the end product to the warehouse, we can now plan all of that together - we have received a lot of positive feedback," says Egbert Wenninger, Head of the Business Unit Glass.
“From the tin bath to the annealing lehr to the cold end, from coating to transporting the end product to the warehouse, we can now offer all of that together.”
Quick and easy help with the Collaboration App
With the new Collaboration App, Grenzebach is now even more customer-oriented in its daily digital business worldwide. Florian Nagler, Head of Global Service Sales at Grenzebach, emphasizes: "Especially in these difficult times, it is very important for us to be available for our customers at all times - with practical advice. The Collaboration App makes it possible to solve questions around the system in direct exchange with the customer, quick and easy."
“Especially in these difficult times, it is very important for us to be available for our customers at all times. The Collaboration App makes it possible to solve questions in direct exchange with the customer, quick and easy.”
Successful in Europe, USA and Asia
Together with partners Grenzebach realized a number of outstanding projects this year. For example, Grenzebach and GEODIS, a leading international transport and logistics service provider, are jointly implementing a Goods-to-Person solution from Grenzebach for the consumer electronics sector in Nashville, Tennessee. "Looking back on the year, there is one particular highlight for our intralogistics: Grenzebach is part of Porsche's award-winning logistics concept in Leizpig," says David Schwebel, Head of Intralogistics. In Japan, together with its strategic partner Matsubo, Grenzebach placed further Vacupress systems for compressing and venting silicic acid while the Polish company Dolina Nidy Sp.z.o.o. expands its gypsum production. They rely on Grenzebach's technological expertise for their new flash drying system for synthetic gypsum.
“Looking back on the year, there is one particular highlight for our intralogistics: Grenzebach is part of Porsche's award-winning logistics concept in Leizpig.”
On the road to success for green mobility
Climate protection is one of the greatest and most important topics of the future. The energy and mobility change is becoming more tangible every day. Grenzebach is on the road to success with friction stir welding systems for electric vehicles. The demand for welding cast components for the automotive industry is growing immensely. In 2020 Grenzebach has secured several major orders for European car manufacturers who rely on friction stir welding for e-mobility and related components. "We are pleased about the industry's confidence in our friction stir welding expertise. This gives us the chance to move forward together in the innovative field of e-mobility," says Christian Herfert, Head of Friction Stir Welding at Grenzebach.
“We are pleased about the industry's confidence in our friction stir welding expertise. This gives us the chance to move forward together in the innovative field of e-mobility.”
60 years Grenzebach
2020 is also the year in which Rudolf Grenzebach, the company founder, celebrated his 90th birthday and the Grenzebach Group turned 60. "Due to the current situation, we unfortunately were not able to celebrate together in the way we are used to. We hope to be able to express our gratitude to our employees with our anniversary gift. Each and every one of them has contributed to Grenzebach's ability to serve customers globally as an innovative group today. I would like to express my warmest thanks to all employees and their families for their work, their flexibility, their commitment and their innovative strength. It makes me very proud to see how Grenzebach is today, and even more optimistic to see how Grenzebach will be in the future," says Sonja Grenzebach-Proeller, principal shareholder, chairwoman of the advisory board and daughter of the company founder.
In this exceptional year, truly dear to our heart is the tradition of supporting social institutions in the region of the company locations with a donation.
Collecting strength for a successful and healthy 2021
Taking responsibility in the region and developing the business internationally, successfully advancing globalization and digitalization - Grenzebach has remained true to this in its anniversary year. "Our company offers automation and technology solutions for a wide range of industries. We were able to further strengthen this position despite the corona pandemic. I would like to thank our customers, partners and suppliers for the intensive, inspiring and reliable cooperation in 2020. Together we are successfully mastering turbulent times, which also offer lots of possibilities," says Dr. Steven Althaus.
“Each and every employee has contributed to Grenzebach's ability to serve customers globally as an innovative group today. I would like to express my warmest thanks to all of them.”
The Grenzebach Group wishes all employees, customers, partners, and companions happy holidays and a happy New Year. But above all, one thing in particular: health!
