60 years later, Endress+Hauser is still a family-owned business, made up of a global network of companies, worldwide state-of-the-art production facilities and a full basket of quality products which continues to expand. This success can be attributed to one of the company founders, the late Dr Georg Endress, whose motto: ‘First serve, then earn’, is still valid today.
1953 to today
It all began inconspicuously on 1 February 1953, when Swiss engineer Georg H Endress, and German banker Ludwig Hauser set up their company in a backyard in Lörrach, Germany. The first level measurement instrument was patented just two years later and these innovative measurement instruments soon enjoyed a good reputation in the industry. As early as 1957, sales exceeded one million Deutschmarks.
In the subsequent decades, the fields of operation were expanded to include flow, pressure, analysis and temperature, with new production sites built or bought for development and production. With a growing number of sales partners, Endress+Hauser gradually conquered first the European market and the African, Asian and American markets soon followed. After Ludwig Hauser’s death, the Endress family became sole shareholders in 1975. At that time, the company had around 1000 employees. 15 years later, the headcount reached 4000 with sales in excess of 500 million Swiss francs.
At the dawn of the digital transmission and communication era, around 1990, Endress+Hauser was actively involved in various fieldbus initiatives. In early 1995, the company founder handed over the business leadership to his second eldest son, Klaus Endress, who runs it today.
Responding to the challenges of globalisation, Klaus Endress developed the international network of production and sales, while at the same time steadily expanding the company’s offering.
From device to solution
The Endress+Hauser Group has evolved from being a vendor of devices and instruments to offering a complete basket of products, services and solutions to assist its customers to operate their plants reliably, efficiently and in environmental compatibility. “Our strength is that we are entirely driven by the market,” says Klaus Endress. “We learn from our customers and strive to create sustained and outstanding benefits and value for them.”
Thanks to the global roots in different regions (over 40 sales centres, 70 representatives and productions facilities in 12 countries including South Africa) and operating in various industries, the Endress+Hauser Group is well versed to cope with cyclical fluctuations. The lean and highly networked organisation guarantees flexibility and rapid response.
Almost coinciding with the 60-year anniversary, another milestone was reached, employee number 10 000.
Continuity is a priority in the business: in spite of the finance and public debt crisis in 2009, no employees were laid off. With the result that a new sales record was achieved in the following year after the economy began to recover.
Outlook
With sales totalling €1,5 billion, the Endress+Hauser Group achieved another record year in 2011, in spite of a flagging economy in Europe. “Although the market is extremely volatile today, 2012 will be an excellent year for us,” said Klaus Endress. “We trust in our strength and look ahead with confidence, but we must stay alert.”
With well-targeted acquisitions in biotechnology, gas analysis and energy management, Endress+Hauser has recently rounded off its product portfolio. With an equity ratio of over 70%, the company is largely independent of lenders and is well equipped to meet the challenges of the future.
For more information contact Hennie Blignaut, Endress+Hauser, +27 (0)11 262 8000, [email protected], www.za.endress.com
| Tel: | +27 11 262 8000 |
| Email: | [email protected] |
| www: | www.endress.com |
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