Pan-European recognition for an ultra-modern manufacturing method

The company, which was originally established in Bünde, Westphalia (Germany) as a manufacturer of special machinery for woodworking, set up shop in Meppen exactly thirty years ago this year. The main reason for this step was that after spending ten years in leased production shops, HEDELIUS was looking for a home of its own, and a second reason was Elektra Bekum, which was already located in Meppen and was seen by HEDELIUS as a partner for production of the power tools now known under the Metabo brand name. For Werner Hempelmann, company founder and father of the current managing director, this was sufficient reason to relocate his business, transfer his previous products to Elektra Bekum under licence, and start producing special machines for metalworking. Since then HEDELIUS has become one of the leading specialists in the metalworking sector. The machines from Meppen, which are called ‘machining centres’ and can carry out all machining operations on metal parts using the latest CNC production methods and CAD-based design, have achieved recognition throughout Europe. For Gerhard Hempelmann, this location provides yet another reason for special pride: ‘With our location, we are the northernmost supplier of special machining tools’, he explained in an interview with Wirtschaft aktuell. ‘Even though we are located outside the area of our German market, which is concentrated in southern Germany, our customers still know where to find us.’ Gerhard Hempelmann also pointed out that every day, several groups of potential customers from inside and outside Germany are welcomed to the meetings rooms in Meppen. After having established good coverage of the current market with a total of twenty factory representatives in Germany, the future plans of the Hempelmann brothers are focussed in particular on the international market.

‘In brief, we are going to establish branches in Turkey and Poland to address those markets’, is how Gerhard Hempelmann describes the implementation of his desires and plans. Additional branches in the Baltic States and the East European countries are in the planning stage. Despite these intensified international activities, the managing directors are still modest with regard to their desires: ‘When we are represented in all of Europe, we will have achieved our objective. Overseas markets are not on our agenda, either now or in the future.’ By contrast, an important item on the agenda for the Hempelmann family is ongoing development and improvement

Ongoing development and improvement of the machines is a key topic


of its machines. Machining of metal parts requires extremely high precision, but the machines must also be versatile and easy to operate. For HEDELIUS, these requirements have long since become part of the corporate philosophy. For instance, only components originating from the corresponding market leaders are used to build the machining centres. ‘Our motto is that we only use the best of the best. Besides ensuring high quality, this gives our customers the assurance that in case of a defective component, customer service can be provided by the manufacturer’s national branch offices even in the most remote corners of Europe.’ Just as HEDELIUS expects its suppliers to provide fast, problem-free customer service, it stands for fast service on its own part. The individual branches in Germany and elsewhere in Europe maintain stocks of replacement wear parts, and any other parts that are needed can also be supplied overnight by courier services.

‘This enables us to help our customers as quickly as possible while at the same time preventing our replacement parts from becoming overly expensive due to maintaining excessive stock levels’, according to managing director Gerhard Hempelmann. Although computer-controlled machining of metal parts may appear complex and bewildering to the layman, with three or five levels and up to fifty different boring or milling tools, these machining centres put together from a well-conceived set of standardised modules can be operated easily by every machining technician, and reprogramming for varying jobs can be carried out without outside technical assistance. ‘However, that only holds true for the machining centres that work in three levels’, points out Gerhard Hempelmann. ‘With five-axis units, in which the machining table with the clamped workpiece can also rotate, reprogramming must be performed by a specialist.’ Despite all their success, there is no time for Gerhard and Jürgen Hempelmann to rest on their laurels. A major addition to the administration building is currently in progress at the Meppen site, a suitable location for expanding the production facilities has been purchased, and a new service centre in Ulm will be opened soon. The two managing directors are thus thankful that the third generation of the family joined the business in April in the form of Dennis Hempelmann, the son of Gerhard Hempelmann, to provide continuity and maintain the family tradition.

Torsten Hansen

Wirtschaft aktuell EL IV/2003

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