ALPMA Connect
ALPMA looks back on a positive business year: despite some uncertainty in key markets, for example the USA, the mechanical engineering company, which specialises in dairy and cheese-making plants, concluded the year 2018 with a positive result and can look ahead with confidence into the new year – in particular thanks to the constant development of its strengths.
At the works meeting, which is followed by a Christmas party and traditionally rounds off the business year, the around 450 ALPMA employees had plenty of cause for celebration: “2018 may not have been an outstanding year for us, but it was definitely a good and successful one,“ Gisbert Strohn, Managing Director of ALPMA, emphasised in his speech. He said that the past year had been marked by rising uncertainty in the international markets which are especially important for ALPMA, in particular the USA with the danger of an escalation of the trade war, but also emerging countries such as Turkey, following the collapse of the national currency, the lira, had crashed. “The positive development of the company despite these factors is the result of our own strengths and our consistent alignment over the past years,“ said Strohn.
ALPMA’s greatest strong point is doubtlessly its workforce, which helps to drive the family-owned company forward with a high level of personal commitment. A ceremony honouring the loyalty of long-serving ALPMA employees was proof of this: Senior Managing Director Gottfried Hain and Gisbert Strohn presented awards to 31 employees – “with an impressive total of 625 years of service!“ – among them three colleagues who have been with ALPMA for 40 years.
“It is you, our employees, who guarantee the success of ALPMA,“ confirmed Managing Director Frank Eberle, who also pointed out the positive development of the company’s sales figures: ALPMA remains firmly in the profit zone.
2018 also saw the start of many promising projects, for example a major coup for the Process Technology division with a large-scale project in the Netherlands. Several major contracts were also concluded, including orders from the USA. Eberle stated that these successes were a cause for optimism – despite continuing uncertainties in international politics: “They show that ALPMA is master of its own destiny. We are strong!“
The company, which is based in Rott am Inn, has set itself an ambitious schedule for 2019: The order books are well filled. Important new developments which set the course for the coming years will be launched, in particular the introduction of automated inspection processes, a key area in the food industry. Digitalisation is a further important area of development: here, the foundation stone will be laid with a digital service portal in 2019.
And ALPMA wrapped up the most important new development at the end of November, when it acquired a majority stake in Swiss plant engineering company SULBANA, which specialises in equipment for the processing of mozzarella and sliced cheese, thus further strengthening ALPMA’s position as market and technology leader. “This was a golden opportunity: the two companies are a perfect match – both as regards technological expertise and in their corporate culture and mentality,“ emphasized Strohn. “The acquisition represents a major enhancement of our portfolio: We gain important key competences enabling us to also supply complete lines for the production and processing of sliced cheese and mozzarella in future.“
The takeover of SULBANA looks set to become a real success story in the near future. Just a few days before the New Year, the two companies won a joint major order: the delivery of a complete plant for the production of pizza cheese to Belgium. Such a fantastic reference project is the ideal start to our shared future,“ said Strohn.
Honoured for 40 years of service with ALPMA: Angela Kerbs, Anton Kerschl and Franz Schötz (from left to right), with Managing Director Gisbert Strohn (far left), Senior Managing Director Gottfried Hain and Head of Division Michael Weber (far right) (Source: ALPMA)