Focus on Germany: Wemhöner | 29
Above: The Herford production line
the people stop talking then something serious is happening. There is still willingness to invest.” Mr Wemhöner said the factory remained busy, in part due to the decisions to bring certain component production in house - switch cabinets for example are produced at Herford now.
“The good thing is we don’t have to make
short working this year. Our customers still believe in us and we are looking at how we can be more efficient, what can we do cheaper, but it is a demanding time. There is business, but if I compare it to 2022 and 2023 it’s completely changed.” “Customers have told us that they are ready
to place the orders but many have postponed them, so it’s difficult to see how the situation will be next year, hopefully we will get some orders and of course we are prepared with our strategy to have more or less turnover.” Looking at global geographical markets,
Ms Wemhöner said countries including India and North Africa, as well as the North America region, were interesting with signs of activity, although Asia and North Africa were very price sensitive about the cost of machinery. “We see potential in some of those
markets, even if Chinese supplieres are offering lower prices,” she said. This was because Chinese machinery makers were extending their reach into other markets with their products. “For a long time, we did not have much
competition in the Chinese market, but Chinese competitors start to compete against us these days. “The idea of my family to invest in China
– now 20 years in the country – was a good idea and if we hadn’t invested then we would have lost the market.” Mr Wemhöner said he was very happy
that the company had invested long term in China, with the operation acting independently from Germany. The first Chinese factory established in 2005, with production starting in 2007, with three later extensions. By 2018 it had become too small, so another facility was established.
“The situation in China is also different from the years before, as it’s quieter. But the advantage is [our Chinese operation] is very competitive to reach customers we wouldn’t reach from Germany anymore.” The Chinese company exports products across SE Asia.
On the project front, several large,
short-cycle presses are in the delivery and installation phase, including two lines for Egger at Markt Bibart. The first will be started up by the end of 2025 and the second should be operational by next spring. “The Egger project is a large investment, it’s nice to have customers that are doing investments in Germany,” said Mr Wemhöner. Meanwhile, a short cycle laminate flooring line will be supplied to Unilin in the US. The machinery is currently being produced and has new features enabling faster and more precise manufacturing. For Wemhöner, LIGNA proved to be an
interesting and important show, with the Master Chamfer a new feature to show customers, while there is a new innovation in the short cycle press as well. “It was better than expected, as the start of the year was not the busiest,” said Ms Wemhöner.
“I think it was a good fair for us; everyone was really positive afterwards. The numbers are getting more and more international. Sometimes in the past customers might just go to Interzum. Ideally, both shows can be seen in one week, as people can buy
the machinery [at LIGNA) and make the investments decisions are usually not at Interzum the whole week.”
STRATEGY During WBPI’s visit, Wemhöner took delivery of a book called ‘The secrets of German family businesses”. The company was one of 50 German companies selected for inclusion in the book and represents a special honour. “It’s a very big compliment to be one of the 50 companies to be selected. You can’t select yourselves,” said Mr Wemhöner. When asked what has been the secret to the
company’s enduring success and strong brand, Mr Wemhöner was clear in his response. “Everything we do is custom designed, nothing is standard. We listen to our customers and give them what they need. We are in close discussion all the time with them, and this is what they like.” Kathleen Wemhöner echoed the point. “It’s about being close to the client, being creative, having a good team, and with eyes open to what is happening in the world. There are a lot of factors. We have great teams in Germany and China and with our partners around the world.” Mr Wemhöner has been at the company since 1979, an incredible 46 years. You can see by the way he talks about the company and tours the production lines, that is incredibly proud of the whole operation. But he is looking ahead. “Now my daughter is in the management team and I’m on the way already to slowing down,” he commented. Ms Wemhöner and chief technology officer Florian Barth, who has been working for the company for 12 years, are gradually taking an increasingly prominent role in the business. ●
www.wbpionline.com | December 2025/January 2026 | WBPI
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