Annual review 2017: Stronger for the future with new organisational structure

For PFEIFER, 2017 was one of the most eventful years in recent times. There were numerous reforms within the group of companies – both at the headquarters in Memmingen and in the more than 30 operative subsidiaries. The biggest change was the introduction of a new divisional organisation.

Reorganisation into four divisions

In order to bundle the strengths of the PFEIFER Group more effectively in future, the company is currently reorganising itself. In this context the traditional company has this year already combined its eight business units into four independently manageable organisational units, taking into account common markets, customers and business processes. "In international terms the PFEIFER Group has grown strongly in the past years and has reached a size that makes a new, sustainable organisational structure necessary. We are facing this challenge with our divisionally oriented realignment into four operative units", explained Gerhard Pfeifer, President of the PFEIFER Group.

Increase in turnover

Overall, the PFEIFER Group was able in 2017 to increase its turnover significantly to nearly 260 million Euros. For instance, the Connecting and Lifting Systems business unit recorded very good business development both at home and in many international markets, which was supported by the upward trend in the building sector. Following the acquisition of several companies in the USA, China and Austria, the PFEIFER Cable Structures business unit completed its first projects as a fully integrated full-range supplier in the lightweight construction industry. Examples are the renewal of the roof of the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart and the repair of the membrane roof of the Aquatic Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Despite difficult boundary conditions, PFEIFER Wire Rope and Lifting Technology was able to win additional orders from crane manufacturers for original equipment. The after-sales business has also developed most satisfactorily. The fact that more cranes are being built in China again was a further positive factor.

Local presence in important export markets

Asked about developments in the international market, the company boss said: "In our most important export markets we will be concentrating in future on local structures so that we can best meet the local demands. For instance, in 2017 we moved into two new locations in China and opened a new manufacturing centre in the USA."

Digitalisation – a project for the future

Digitalisation, too, will continue to keep PFEIFER busy in the coming years. "Our challenge is to fully understand the importance of digital tools and to put them to use for ourselves and our customers. On example of this is our telescopic coil grabs. They are now capable of networking with their environment by means of intelligent sensors and transmitting data in an illustrative manner in an app", said Gerhard Pfeifer.

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