From the historic town of Wernigerode to all four corners of the world, Kallfass GmbH Maschinen plus Automation shows how a small local company can set international standards. Anyone that enters the production hall can immediately see that this is no normal machinery supplier. Here, technical precision, years of experience and true human passion come together to create systems that set global standards.
From humble beginnings to a global player
Kallfass’ story in Wernigerode began in the late 1980s. The site of the former sawmill was home to a workshop for sawmill equipment that only had a handful of employees. “After the reunification of Germany, our managing director Ernst Kallfass, driven by a pioneering spirit, was searching for options to expand the company and found what he was looking for in Wernigerode” explains Enrico Goldhahn, operations manager and authorised officer of the company, who has been with Kallfass for over 30 years. In 1992, the company moved to the site on Otto-von-Guericke-Straße where today they build state-of-the-art systems for the wood processing industry. Mr Goldhahn adds: “We have been manufacturing our products for clients all over the world since 1993. It is impressive to see how the business has grown from a small workshop to an international company.”
Kallfass production location Wernigerode
Individuality as the key to international success
Kallfass, which was founded in 1949 in Klosterreichenbach/Baden-Württemberg, has built a reputation for itself as a specialist for custom systems. “We never make the same system twice,” says Goldhahn. “Every client has a different amount of space available, different product requirements and different wishes. We plan and design everything on an individual basis.“ The systems do not just roll off a conveyor belt. They are highly complex systems consisting of up to 200 assemblies that are manufactured in multiple locations and then assembled all over the world. “Not only do we supply sawmills across Europe, but we also work with clients in Japan, Australia, South Africa and South America. We export around 15 to 20 per cent of what we manufacture,” explains Goldhahn. Each project goes through an intensive process. From the very first time we speak to a client, through the individual layout planning to the installation on site – each step is monitored meticulously. Sometimes it can take up to two years to fully finish an order. Each version is discussed, adjusted and optimised – no two projects are the same.” This attention to detail is what makes Kallfass stand out from many of its competitors and what makes it a market leader on an international level, particularly when it comes to making more complex mechanisations.
Overcoming challenges – securing skilled workers
Like many other industrial companies in Germany, Kallfass is also affected by the increasing shortage of skilled workers. There is a real lack of qualified personnel in the wood industry in particular. “Without applicants from abroad, it will be almost impossible to keep production going in the long term,” warns Goldhahn. For this reason, the company wants to encourage young talent and so trains industrial mechanics. Many trainees choose to stick with the company after their training, securing the connection between tradition and the future. Working on systems like this requires a great deal of flexibility, as some employees end up spending months travelling all over the world assembling systems. For Goldhahn, who travels around 80,000 kilometres each year by car and plane, this is part of his day-to-day work and luckily he has the support of his family and a deep personal dedication to his job.
Wernigerode – a location with a high quality of life
Location also plays a role in the success of a company. Wernigerode, which is known as the “colourful town in the Harz”, combines tradition and modernity, offering a high quality of life and an excellent infrastructure to all inhabitants. Goldhahn highlights: “We have absolutely everything here – from a hospital and cultural activities, to great motorway connections. This makes the location really attractive to skilled workers and to families.” This combination of local charm and international success is an important part of Kallfass’ company identity.
Innovation and future outlook
The wood processing industry is going through a transformation. Clients’ expectations regarding output quantity, production flexibility and speed are increasing. Only the perfect interaction of all systems from master computers, system software, and PLC control ensures an optimal production process with a high degree of automation. “It is purely thanks to our creativity in our developments and market knowledge that we have a place on the international stage,” explains Goldhahn. Looking to the future, the company will pursue several clear goals: strengthen the site in Wernigerode even further, secure the skilled workers needed in the long term and expand upon its international market positions. The combination of the advantages of the regional locations, Kallfass’ global presence and individual customer orientation remains at the heart of the company’s strategy.
Enrico Goldhahn - Operations Manager Wernigerode
Precision from the Harz – now in demand all around the world
Kallfass GmbH Maschinen plus Automation shows how a local company with values like precision, reliability and innovative power can conquer the world. Every system tells a story – from the initial idea in Wernigerode, to the final assembly at the other end of the world. Not only is the technology in the foreground here, but so are the people behind it: dedicated employees, a strong leadership team and a passion that can been seen in every single assembly. Wernigerode is not just a place where machines are built, it is a place where global expertise meets with a passion for tradition, innovation and quality, resulting in machines and systems that are popular in countries all around the world.
Pictures Kallfass