A personal meeting in Berlin was the initial impetus, then SPD Chairman Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier accepted the invitation from Peter M. Binder, Managing Partner of BINDER GmbH, to visit the company in the Gänsäcker business park in Tuttlingen, Germany.
Peter M. Binder greeted his guest at the Research & Development Center. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier allowed Dr. Holger von Boht, Director of R&D, to show him around the Research & Development Center and to explain about the innovative technology of the BINDER simulation chambers. Accompanied by representatives of the press, plant manager Jörg Nauel then took the group on a tour of the production facilities. BINDER is the largest specialty manufacturer of simulation chambers for science and industry in the world. The products with the characteristic red triangle are used in hospitals and laboratories, as well as in the automobile industry for non-destructive material testing. In contrast to most competitors, the company can better utilize the manufacturing-technical advantages of a serial manufacturer. With a new production hall, BINDER implemented its "lean production" concept in manufacturing cells this year.
The newly equipped hall has 4,000 m² of floor space. In the final expansion phase, more than 15,000 m² of production area will be available at the Tuttlingen site. The investment safeguards 50 additional high-tech jobs in Tuttlingen and BINDER is already looking for 30 new employees. The new production concept of the "factory within the factory" creates optimal processes and short paths, and improves material flow. In just five years, according to the ambitious plan, 33,000 units should leave the plant per year, which would mean double current revenue.
In conversation with representatives of the press, Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier appeared impressed. The strength of the economy can only be maintained, he said, when German engineering is encouraged. Family-owned companies have followed this recipe for success for the future of their own accord. He is impressed that BINDER invests about 10% of its revenues in research & development.
Asked what he wants from a government, Peter M. Binder said, "We want to be governed. We want to know where it's heading. I miss that currently." For years, political representatives have said goodbye to Berlin, there is a vacuum, he added. Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier criticized the current government as only trying to save itself. It would be better to use fortitude and potential to overcome the economic crisis, which will occupy us for some time. In times of crisis, cooperation between parties is called for. One must be prepared to put aside one's own party objectives.
In particular, Steinmeier emphasized the role of family-owned companies in the region. While large companies may have little interest in their regional environment, family-owned companies such as BINDER are very committed to the region and assume responsibility for its development. That is also reflected by holding on to employees in times of crisis. Peter M. Binder agrees, "A family-owned company lives in its workforce."
Peter M. Binder greeted his guest at the Research & Development Center. Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier allowed Dr. Holger von Boht, Director of R&D, to show him around the Research & Development Center and to explain about the innovative technology of the BINDER simulation chambers. Accompanied by representatives of the press, plant manager Jörg Nauel then took the group on a tour of the production facilities. BINDER is the largest specialty manufacturer of simulation chambers for science and industry in the world. The products with the characteristic red triangle are used in hospitals and laboratories, as well as in the automobile industry for non-destructive material testing. In contrast to most competitors, the company can better utilize the manufacturing-technical advantages of a serial manufacturer. With a new production hall, BINDER implemented its "lean production" concept in manufacturing cells this year.
The newly equipped hall has 4,000 m² of floor space. In the final expansion phase, more than 15,000 m² of production area will be available at the Tuttlingen site. The investment safeguards 50 additional high-tech jobs in Tuttlingen and BINDER is already looking for 30 new employees. The new production concept of the "factory within the factory" creates optimal processes and short paths, and improves material flow. In just five years, according to the ambitious plan, 33,000 units should leave the plant per year, which would mean double current revenue.
In conversation with representatives of the press, Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier appeared impressed. The strength of the economy can only be maintained, he said, when German engineering is encouraged. Family-owned companies have followed this recipe for success for the future of their own accord. He is impressed that BINDER invests about 10% of its revenues in research & development.
Asked what he wants from a government, Peter M. Binder said, "We want to be governed. We want to know where it's heading. I miss that currently." For years, political representatives have said goodbye to Berlin, there is a vacuum, he added. Dr. Frank Walter Steinmeier criticized the current government as only trying to save itself. It would be better to use fortitude and potential to overcome the economic crisis, which will occupy us for some time. In times of crisis, cooperation between parties is called for. One must be prepared to put aside one's own party objectives.
In particular, Steinmeier emphasized the role of family-owned companies in the region. While large companies may have little interest in their regional environment, family-owned companies such as BINDER are very committed to the region and assume responsibility for its development. That is also reflected by holding on to employees in times of crisis. Peter M. Binder agrees, "A family-owned company lives in its workforce."
