The Sulzburg-based company once again invested 8.5 percent of its turnover in the site and in research and development.

For Hekatron Brandschutz, 2021 was a year of light and shade despite a satisfactory business performance: On the one hand, the continued strong construction industry and high order situation, and on the other, the difficult materials situation and unreliable supply chains. In order to become less dependent on such factors, the fire protection expert has added digital tools to its product portfolio. For example, the Sulzburg-based company enables its customers to remotely inspect fire alarm systems and smoke alarms. Managing Director Petra Riesterer: "The recent circumstances have certainly contributed to an accelerated digitalization of the industry. They have encouraged us to continue along the path of transformation that we have already embarked on."

Stable production
Michael Roth, Managing Director of sister company Hekatron Manufacturing, looks back on 2021 with satisfaction in view of the challenging overall situation. In contrast to many other industrial companies, the manufacturing service provider for electronic components (EMS) has coped comparatively well with the coronavirus pandemic and the global supply crisis so far. "Of course, last year was characterized by great dynamism. However, thanks in particular to the great flexibility of all employees, we have been able to maintain production almost without interruption," says Roth.

New management at Hekatron Brandschutz
The course for Peter Ohmberger's successor was set early on. At the turn of the year 2021/22, the former Managing Director of Hekatron Brandschutz finally placed the company's fortunes in younger hands after almost two decades: Since January 1, Petra Riesterer (pictured) has been at the helm of the South Baden fire protection specialist for the first time. The 46-year-old is no stranger to Sulzburg, as she has been with the company for over twenty years.

"Even though I had hoped to take over the helm in a somewhat calmer phase, I am very pleased about my new role. Together with the employees, I want to make the company fit for the future. The fire protection of tomorrow is digital. As a pace-setter in the industry, we want to play an active role in this and make a contribution to innovation," says the Freiburg native. In her first few months in her new role, Riesterer has already achieved a great deal and has initiated new working methods and structures, for example. Part of her management philosophy is to focus on personal responsibility and to give employees as much leeway as possible in a spirit of mutual trust.

Rising number of employees
Last year, the Hekatron companies employed around 1,020 people, around seven percent more than in 2020. However, the trainee ratio fell by one percent to 4.3 percent. "It is important to us to offer our qualified candidates long-term prospects. Unfortunately, we were unable to guarantee this in 2021 for reasons such as the coronavirus pandemic and the supply situation. We have therefore decided to slightly reduce the number of annual apprenticeships as a precautionary measure," says Head of HR Carlo Kälble.

Cautious forecast for 2022
As far as the current financial year is concerned, the company in Sulzburg is cautious, particularly due to the ongoing shortage of components. Michael Roth, Managing Director of Hekatron Manufacturing: "The fire protection and EMS market in Germany is growing, our order books are full and we and our customers could achieve record sales. But due to the global supply crisis, we are not able to produce in sufficient quantities and our customers have to expect waiting times. We are also burdened by rising material and energy costs as well as uncertainties in connection with the war in Ukraine. It is therefore currently unclear whether we will be able to continue our steady growth trajectory in 2022."