(F.Dietsche) Mr. Büchner, hats off, when I look around here, something impressive has emerged since my last visit to Ettlingen. What were the reasons for undertaking this new construction project?
(Hans-Jürgen Büchner smiles) There were many arguments. We were bursting at the seams in our old building, which we still use largely today. The space conditions in administration and production on one hand, and closely related to that, the attractiveness of the workplaces were a driving force, but the decisive point was the integration of additional employees from Alsace.
(FD) Excuse me for interrupting. The attractiveness of workplaces is rarely heard as a reason for investments. What do you mean by that?
(HJB) For our workforce, this was partly at the limits. And apart from that, in the age of skilled labor shortages, it is extremely important to be able to offer a reasonable, modern environment as a basis.
(FD) What do you mean by basis?
(HJB, furrowing his brow) Times have changed. The demands and wishes of people have changed. The buzzwords work-life balance, home office, etc. come up in almost every job interview. This is often difficult to reconcile, as we are looking for and need specialists on one hand, but on the other hand, we pay close attention to ensure that it fits into our system or structure and is justifiable towards our workforce. We have established guidelines and we adhere to them.
(Thoughtfully) In the past, it was the case that your counterpart was sweating during the job interview. Today, it is the opposite. Especially when it comes to good people with a good attitude.
(FD) That means ISCAR is looking for specialists with a reasonable attitude?
(HJB) Of course! Currently, we employ around 270 people in Ettlingen, 100 of whom are in production alone. But we need to increase our staff. We have invested a lot here in a completely new plant. Despite the significantly more efficient and partly automated work processes, we need top people in all areas.
Our customers demand quality, service, and reasonable prices. And we have to ensure that. Therefore, ISCAR needs top people with a reasonable work attitude.
(FD) An interesting point: some time ago, a young politician from the Greens said in a talk show that she wants to enforce a maximum of 20 hours per week because work makes you sick. Is that the current attitude of young people?
(HJB vehemently) That does not correspond to reality according to our experience. We have not yet encountered these employees, these young people here. Sure, these people, as mentioned at the beginning, have their own wishes and ideas. But that is normal as long as they can be reconciled with the company philosophy. But this belittling and these blanket statements like the lazy young generation, I simply cannot accept or carry, because it is just not true in that form.
(FD) That means you have created the framework to offer young people a reasonable perspective?
(HJB grins) I am convinced that we can offer something here in Ettlingen with our good working atmosphere, the mentality of the team, and the new infrastructure, and we do not have to hide.
(FD) I saw during the tour that there are also many new machines and systems in production. Also with automation. That means you have invested in new technology?
(HJB) That was planned from the outset and was also necessary. We have invested in modern and automated grinding and laser processing and will also invest in tool coating or additive systems.
(FD) You still use the old building across the street, despite the new construction. Did you build too small?
(HJB laughs) At first glance, one might think so. Looking ahead, it was absolutely right to keep the existing building in its current form. We have relocated our deep hole drilling production from Alsace to Ettlingen and expanded our machining area. Therefore, this was also the right decision.
(FD) That means ISCAR now produces the deep hole drills that were previously manufactured by Outiltec in Alsace at the Ettlingen site?
(HJB) Exactly. And we supply deep hole drills from Ettlingen to customers all over the world. To Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, and of course the USA, to name just a few. And we are experiencing good growth in this area and have hired an export specialist specifically for this.
(FD) At this point, I have to ask an unwelcome question. How have the businesses been running?
HJB (laughs) You know from the past that we tend to be reserved about that.
But I can share a few key figures. In 2024, we closed with a minus of 5% compared to 2023. This year, we are currently at a plus of almost 5% compared to 2024 and expect a plus of 7% by the end of the year.
(FD) Thank you very much. I won't ask further on this topic. However, I am still interested in what the new building cost and how long it took from planning to moving in.
(HJB) We started planning and calculating in 2018. The total investment amounted to around 14 million euros for the built 4,000 sqm.
(FD) Including the large photovoltaic system on the roofs? Can you cover your own energy needs with the system?
(HJB proudly) We can. And we even have a surplus. We wanted to become energetically independent as quickly as possible. On one hand for the sake of the environment, but clearly also due to rising energy prices.
(Furrowing his brow) But it was a difficult and nerve-wracking process until it finally worked. We had to wait almost 10 months until the system was certified and approved by an assessor. The reason for this still annoys me.
(FD) What was that?
(HJB angrily) You invest 900,000 euros in times of the energy transition, the system runs, but cannot be put into operation because it takes about 10 months for the assessor to have time to look at the system. That has really annoyed all of us here.
(FD) OK. Another topic: Last year 2024, they introduced the new ISCAR campaign LogicQuick with new products and gradually expanded it. How has the new product line been received?
(HJB happily) The new LogicQuick products have been very well received by our customers. The customers have brought in many wishes and ideas, so we are constantly working to expand the series. We have to do this, as ISCAR is a full-range supplier.
(FD) That means ISCAR is also expanding its range of standard tools according to customer wishes. And what about special tools?
(HJB proudly) In this area, it is more important than ever to provide reliable service. Above all, speed, quality, and transparency are of utmost importance. For this reason, we created our online configurator. Through IQUOTE, our customers can quickly create and order their individual tool online.
(FD) An online configurator is now offered by some of your competitors and is a sensible thing if it is user-friendly. Is it?
(HJB proudly) We launched IQUOTE online in 2024. Since then, further optimizations have been made, and... Oh, what. Why don't you make an appointment with our product manager Herbert Volk? He can explain it to you in detail, and you can get a picture of it. Or you can do a practical test right away.
(FD) I take you at your word and would be happy to do that. So, to be continued.
Thank you very much for the hospitality and the open and friendly conversation.
