Interview with Mirja Gerlach CFO + CPO, MÜNCH-Edelstahl GmbH

 

Interview Feed Planet Magazine “Secret of Success: High-quality raw materials and trained staff”

“We want to drive smart and organic growth that does not limit our independence and flexibility. With trusting, strong global partnerships that serve our product portfolio and help to pave the way for global growth, innovation and competitiveness. We are pleased to offer our customers a competent local contact person and the best possible service.”

Münch-Edelstahl GmbH is a well-known German machinery exporter and German companies often enjoy a good reputation in machinery production. Thus, we had a talk with Mirja Gerlach, CFO and CPO of Münch-Edelstahl GmbH, about the feed industry and the secrets of success. She says the key to success is raw materials of excellent quality and a well-trained team of developers and technicians. Following the technological developments closely and being financially self-sufficient are other important points she points out.

 

You are a well-known company in feed milling technologies with an experience of more than 40 years. Can you tell us a bit about the history of your company?
Company founder Peter Münch started in the 1970´s as a single company in the steel trade. In 1981 it became today’s Münch-Edelstahl GmbH. Since this time Münch-Edelstahl GmbH has increasingly concentrated on the pelletizing technology and holds a patent for wood pelleting.

In addition to the company founder, we – Sandra Münch and Mirja Gerlach- as his daughters also belong to the management today. As an owner-managed family business, we are financially self-sufficient and have the ability to respond quickly to both economic and political issues while ensuring the company’s continued existence.

Would you give us some information about your production facilities and business activities?
From the Headquarter in Germany, we offer our customers a comprehensive portfolio of machines, main components and other high-quality accessories and spare parts. The wishes of our customers for innovative products and services are one basement of our activities. A flat level of hierarchy and close cooperation between the departments offers plenty of room for flexibility, creativity and spontaneity, enabling us to meet customer needs satisfactorily and in a timely manner.

Research and development activities are focused primarily on the continuous development of the product program, with a focus on the currently important areas of environment, energy and sustainability, and form a keystone for long-term competitiveness.

I saw from your website that you have ranked also ‘specially designed machines’ among your products. Do you provide tailor-made solutions for your customers, particularly for the ones from the feed industry?
This is correct. As an owner-managed company, there are no group-specific, rigid requirements as often part of holdings and larger companies and therefore we have the opportunity to respond very flexibly to customer requirements. Our project business mainly involves customer-specific, custom-made products, which achieve excellent results in close cooperation with our technology and distribution. This point will be emphasized by our high customer satisfaction.

When it comes to machinery, German companies are enjoying a good reputation. To what do you think German firms owe this reputation?
German mechanical engineering has always been known for its high quality standard and immense longevity. The basis for this is certainly the excellent quality of the raw materials and a very well-trained team of developers and technicians. And as well we, MÜNCH-Edelstahl GmbH, are proud to say that a very well-educated and trained team is able to offer customized products that meet this usual high German quality standards.

What makes your company different from your competitors in the global arena?
A flat hierarchy creating the scope for needed for necessary innovation and creativity and enables the company to react quickly to internal and external developments, so that all our products are subject to continuous technical development. As mentioned before MÜNCH-Edelstahl GmbH is an owner-managed family business. We are financially self-sufficient and have the ability to respond quickly to both economic and political issues while ensuring the company’s continued existence.

You are exporting to more than 90 countries. Which regions do you primarily target with your products? Towards which markets do you aim to expand your business in the first instance?
We want to drive smart and organic growth that does not limit our independence and flexibility. With trusting, strong global partnerships that serve our product portfolio and help to pave the way for global growth, innovation and competitiveness. We are pleased to offer our customers a competent local contact person and the best possible service.

Do you have an agency in Turkey? Can Turkish firms or the companies from neighboring countries reach your products easily?
Yes of course. We have strong partnerships in the Middle East / Western Asia Area.

E.g. for the MÜNCH-Edelstahl key products “dies & rollers” is Oryem Yem Makinalari Imalat A.S. one of our partner. All partners will be added to our new website. You are invited to take a look. Machinery is sold directly from our German headquarter to Turkey.

All industries have their own problems. Which problems do you face all around the world?
Pelleting technology, like other niche industries, has to adapt to the prevailing economic and environmental conditions.

One example is certainly the trends in the recycling industry, which will also have an impact on the pelletizing industry. Our research and development department keeps a close eye on the developments so that we can always adapt in a timely manner and react quickly to developments.

Industry 4.0 revolution is showing up as a recent buzzword for the business world. What do you want to say about this popular concept? Within this context can you inform us about your R&D studies?
Certainly, the new development level 4.0 is a big step for many industries. But we think that it will not add value to us until now. It would limit us very much in our flexibility and singularity. Of course, we will also monitor the developments here and, if necessary, introduce appropriate adjustments.

Actually, the importance of accurate estimates and predictions are indisputable on the path to success. There is no doubt that this is also the case for feed technologies industry. In this context, what do you think awaits the world in the future in the area of feed technologies and feed milling?
The animal feed industry is also subject to a constant change. It is always important to keep in close contact with our customers and the associated developments in the animal feed sector and customer wishes. Our research and development department keeps a close eye on the developments in the feed technologies industry as well, so that we can always adapt in a timely manner and react quickly to developments.

Finally, do you want to add anything?
We thank you that we are able to introduce the company and the brand MÜNCH-Edelstahl GmbH in more detail on this very large platform of the animal feed industry. For questions and suggestions we are always at your disposal and are looking forward to a conspiratorial exchange.

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