Fridingen - "Don't be afraid of change, but of standing still." Daniela and Hans-Josef Herrmann have made this motto their own. They make progress and gradually hand over the management of Hermann Medizintechnik GmbH in Fridingen (Tuttlingen district) to the third generation - who, appropriately, will manage the fortunes of the three of them.
They see themselves as a "family-run and family-oriented company". Nevertheless: The siblings Daniela and Hans-Josef Herrmann do not take it for granted that the legacy of their father and company founder is actually continued by the family. A mixture of industry-specific and general economic challenges must be overcome. But future business leaders are prepared and motivated. Julia Steckeler, Managing Director of MedicalMountains GmbH, and Maria-Lena Weiss, CDU member of the Bundestag for the Rottweil/Tuttlingen constituency, were recently convinced of this during a joint company visit.
Interests and strengths complement each other
Florian Hermann (35 years old) studied Business Administration-International Business at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University and gained experience in the company over a decade. He is primarily dedicated to the commercial side and will be the first to move up to the management board in the course of this year. Frederik Hermann (27) completed a degree in medical technology with a focus on "Applied Materials Science" and has been a process manager for around one and a half years. Konstantin Hermann (23) is a trained toolmaker and has already passed the master craftsman's examination. He sees his focus in production, especially since the company has combined the entire vertical range of manufacture in-house. "Thanks to the different training courses, we complement each other very well," the three explained. But that had not been agreed; rather, everyone has followed their strengths and interests.
3.5 million euros invested in the future
The course has also been set elsewhere for the future. The MDR audit is due in autumn. The portfolio of Hermann Medizintechnik includes more than 25,000 products, primarily surgical instruments and implants. In recent years, however, investments have not only been made in files. Around 3.5 million euros have been spent to advance innovations within the company. This includes optimized workplaces as well as high-quality production systems and automation solutions. For example, grinding robots enable more efficient post-processing. A photovoltaic system has also been installed. Energy and its costs are also a major topic here. "The money for this has to be earned somehow," Hans-Josef Herrmann explained, explaining that the current framework conditions are in no way beneficial, but rather a burden - especially in rural areas, where, for example, a reasonable fiber optic expansion would require digging into one's own pockets. There were a few new impressions for Maria-Lena Weiss: "It's important to go into direct dialogue and form your own opinion," she said. "That's exactly what we want," added Julia Steckeler, "to move the smaller medium-sized medical technology companies more into the political focus. And that works best if you talk to each other on site.”
And how do Daniela and Hans-Josef Herrmann see their future role in the company? They will gradually withdraw, but will continue to be available as a "back-up" and feedback provider. So that those experiences flow that are important and welcome during and after the transition. Continuity on the one hand - further development on the other. Florian Hermann regretted that the EU had become increasingly unattractive for innovations. "But you keep coming up with ideas," Frederik Hermann made it clear that the coming triumvirate will not fear standing still.
