WIKUS invests in the Spangenberg site

WIKUS is investing in its Spangenberg location in 2022. This include further expansion of our machine capacity and optimization of our production processes for future operations.

Spangenberg, 23 February 2022: Spangenberg-based band saw blade manufacturer WIKUS has budgeted around 13 million euros for investments in machine capacity and technology this year.

In 2019 and 2020, WIKUS still suffered significant revenue losses, which necessitated a restructuring process that also involved personnel cuts. In 2021, sales revenues of €93.1 million were almost back to the pre-Corona level.

Despite the ongoing global pandemic development, the measures taken in the international sales project “WIgrow25” have been in effect since 2021 and the company is on a clear growth course. In 2022, management expects sales revenues of more than €100 million.

WIgrow25 stands for ensuring comprehensive market and customer penetration in all potential markets. But the expansion of service and consulting expertise as well as digital sales channels are also on the implementation agenda as part of the project.

 “Our products are in high demand in the metal industry worldwide,” emphasizes Michael Möller, Managing Director, Corporate Group and Sales Division. WIgrow25 has led to a significant increase in incoming orders. “Therefore, we need additional line capacity in band saw blade production to meet our customers' needs.”

In order to cope with the order intake in terms of personnel, WIKUS has already hired 48 new employees in 2021 and seven employees so far in 2022, and is also planning to fill a total of 28 positions in the further course of the year, mainly in the production areas and apprenticeships.

“We as the Kullmann family of shareholders think and create for the long term. Only through our continuous investment in the planned future projects can we continue to develop WIKUS,” confirms Dr. Jörg H. Kullmann, Managing Partner of the company.

The ongoing optimization of internal production workflows and processes is also an important building block for the company’s success. Before the end of this year, the production area of customer order manufacturing will move into its own hall complex, so that the idea of flowing production can be fully implemented here as well.

It is also planned that two further production lines will go into operation in the fall of 2022, thus significantly increasing the capacity of bimetallic production.

In addition, numerous other investments in machinery, building technology, energy saving and fire protection are planned as part of the modernization measures.

“As employee representatives, we naturally very much welcome the fact that WIKUS is investing in the Spangenberg site. We hope that these measures will make the company more future-proof and secure jobs in the long term,” states Raphael Reinstein-Wagner, Chairman of the Works Council.