In the context of a company visit at Maschinenfabrik Johann Leimbach the city authorities and the public-law institution Wirtschaftsförderung Wuppertal (Economic Development Wuppertal) caught up on the products and services of the 100-year-old company and were simultaneously informed of its desire for expansion possibilities.
Approximately three to four times a month Andreas Mucke, the mayor of Wuppertal, visits local companies, together with a representative of Wirtschaftsförderung Wuppertal. The city authorities want to know “what kind of treasures are in this town” and want to further optimise the cooperation between business and administration. This time, they visited Maschinenfabrik Johann Leimbach which is led by fifth-generation Yannick Römer. Since 2016 he and Matthias Müller, who has had ties with the family for many years, have been managing the company that combines tradition and innovation (typical for Wuppertal!).
Specialist for the cable industry
Maschinenfabrik Johann Leimbach’s roots lie in the textile industry. In 1915 the first yarn winding machines were manufactured and today the company is a respected player in the cable industry, realising 95% of its turnover in foreign markets. Already in 1950 the dual take-up was conceived; it is used for the continuous winding of insulated cores and cables. Reaching a line speed of 1,200 to 1,600 metres per minute, these machines are used for the production of fibre optic cables as well as for strong underwater cables. The company’s product range also includes a so-called “dancer”, a machine that ensures a constant tensile stress. All units are almost completely manufactured at the site. The in-house production depth ranges from development to metal processing in the metalworking shop and paint shop and electrotechnical construction to software programming. The first tests are also run in-house. For commissioning purposes at customers’ sites, the employees travel not only all over Europe, but also to New Zealand or Mexico.
A steadily increasing turnover as well as 17 new jobs in the last two years prove that the company is positioned in a growth market. This is no surprise, considering that the increasing digitisation requires cables. “We have to grow,” says managing director Matthias Müller. While being led through the production hall, the mayor and economic promotor Rolf Volmerig could see for themselves that the Ostersbaum site is bursting at the seams. However, the management does not want to give up this site, because it is its own property. ”We would like to execute the final machine assembly elsewhere,” says Yannick Römer. For this purpose, Maschinenfabrik Johann Leimbach is now looking for a production hall of 1500 m². The fact that the Wuppertal site will not be given up, also reassures the 55 employees who all stayed until the late shift in order to witness the mayor’s visit that ended in a warm get-together in the staff canteen. Andreas Mucke had never experienced anything like this before on his company visits: “I was glad and felt rather honoured. We need companies like this!”
Pictures: © Wifö W/CtE | Quelle: Wirtschaftsförderung Wuppertal | Copyright: Wirtschaftsförderung Wuppertal
