During a tour, Managing Director Christoph Leppla explained to the head of government what the fabric specialists do in Öschingen. The green head of government praised the high technology of the "hidden champion" and expressed his great respect for their work to the workforce. "I am indeed very seriously impressed!" said Kretschmann. He added that the state government is aware that prosperity in the southwest is based on such companies.
Tour shows inventiveness
"The inventiveness of the SIEBFABRIK Arthur Maurer inspires me. It is companies like this that form the backbone of our economy," said Minister President Winfried Kretschmann. "When you think of weaving as a craft - you tend to think of early human history and hardly of our present time. During my visit, however, I saw what high-tech fabrics are produced here; I call that high-tech at its finest."
Kretschmann walked through the halls visibly relaxed, showed great interest and had fun at this appointment. This was also ensured by the relaxed manner of Christoph Leppla accompanied by his team. Among others, Ludwig Augustin, manager at Ad-Part, the investment company with Saarland entrepreneurs in the background, was also present.
Broadly positioned and fit for the future
Mechanical engineer Leppla explained the wide product portfolio and customer structure. SIEBFABRIK develops, produces and sells screen cloths made of plastics, non-ferrous metals and stainless steels "on which our customers manufacture their own products". Accordingly, the wire cloths are used in various ways - for example, for dewatering, forming, pressing and filtering - but also as design fabrics in architecture. They are also used in the production of watermarks in banknotes. Customers also include manufacturers of nonwovens, food products, wood processors and many more. "Likewise, we also produce screen cylinders that are used in the paper and board, fiber cement and nonwovens industries," Leppla said.
Worldwide orders
The medium-sized company had a slight decline in sales in the past year 2022 compared to the year before - and came through the Corona pandemic without short-time work. The niche producer generates one third of its sales with customers in Germany, the rest of Europe and the rest of the world. Production takes place exclusively in Mössingen-Öschingen. At present, the company has to shoulder the significantly increased costs for energy, raw materials and supplies, as well as wages. "The order backlog is currently very good," said Leppla. The company is working in the usual two-shift operation from Monday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., with voluntary extra shifts on Saturdays. SIEBFABRIK offers jobs with a secure future. The company currently has 83 employees, including one apprentice (industrial clerk). Another nine positions are vacant and could be filled immediately.
>Go to the job offers on our homepage: siebfabrik.de/de/karriere/stellenangebote/
In addition, two apprenticeship positions are still available, one as an industrial clerk (m/f/d) and one as a machine and plant operator (m/f/d). >To the apprenticeship places: https://www.siebfabrik.de/de/karriere/ausbildung/
Investments in new machinery - rooted in the location
2021, the screen factory had already invested € 5 million in the expansion of the production area. Leppla announced that a new sewing machine for € 500k will be installed at the end of June, beginning of July, and a new loom for € 1,200k in August or September.
Leppla is convinced of the location: "We are pleased to be in Öschingen as an employer. We feel very much at home in Baden-Württemberg." And Winfried Kretschmann sees SIEBFABRIK as broadly positioned: "If you serve many niches, you make your contribution to making the world work," said the Minister President. The rather quiet activities of SIEBFABRIK as a hidden champion are "very Swabian".
In honor of the high-ranking visitor, Christoph Leppla and Winfried Kretschmann planted an amber tree at the company entrance, which is to offer a purple blaze of color in the fall. There, a sign with a dedication also commemorates the visit of the Minister President.