At a glance: HELLER remains on the road to success

29.09.2017

Global economic conditions in almost all markets relevant to us are positive and, according to the IWF, even show a slight upward trend. The economic situation in our industry is also satisfactory. In terms of products and organisation HELLER is well set up and consistently working on further improvements.

All in all, we expect a moderate growth as far as the economic development in 2017 is concerned and a continued positive development of business throughout 2017 for HELLER in terms of turnover and earnings.

Tailor-made products and solutions – successfully expanded

We are continually and consistently expanding our existing product range. Additionally, we are developing new technologies and processes, successfully launching them onto the market.

With the introduction of the new HF series of 5-axis machines we have taken the next logical step in completing our existing machine portfolio. The target groups providing potential for further growth in order intake are companies from the automotive supplier industry and the general machine industry. Currently, our new HF series is available in two different sizes. In addition to our established portfolio, we are now able to offer a cost-effective range for single-machine business to further expand our market.

For project business with our automotive customers we are also offering a highly attractive range of cutting-edge products. This includes our recent developments for crankshaft and camshaft machining, comprising an interesting range of smaller machine sizes. Business with the HELLER CBC technology for the coating of cylinder bores of automobile engines is also developing excellently. Major vehicle manufacturers have already equipped their production facilities worldwide with this systems technology and are producing high volumes or are planning to do so in the coming years at more than 20 locations. Until 2018, a total of 65 systems for the coating of more than 8 million engines worldwide will be in operation.

Trend topics like electromobility and Industry 4.0 are very much in our focus at the moment and already being implemented. With HELLER4Industry, launched at HELLER WerkTage 2016, we are offering our customers an expanded solution range for the digitisation of production (Industry 4.0). It provides greater ease of use of the machine, optimal network integration and expanded functionalities and service possibilities. 

Global network – versatile and close to our customers

Our perception is that the economic situation in the machine tool business is stable and we expect a moderate growth as far as the economic development is concerned. Yet, we are closely following the developments of world political events. With this in mind, we need to ask ourselves how we can best distribute the tasks between our individual locations. We are currently working on various scenarios regarding the production and procurement strategy that will enable us to adapt to different world political developments.

Our internal processes strongly benefit from HELLER’s global value-creation network, enabling us to utilise capacities across different locations. Additionally, we are intensely working on finalising the new logistics concept. At its heart is the new logistics centre in Nürtingen, consolidating various complex processes that until now had been distributed to several locations, and which will be operated by an external service provider.

In the largest Sales operation for Europe, adjustments in terms of personnel and organisation have largely been completed. In terms of service business we continue to offer high customer proximity and efficiency.