On October 2nd, 2017, RUTHMANN acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of HUBItec AG. The company now operates under the new name – RUTHMANN Schweiz AG. With this acquisition, HUBItech’s existing operational framework will be adopted and expanded. This is another major milestone in RUTHMANN’s ongoing internationalization initiative. The company has now achieved all of its strategic goals in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
RUTHMANN has been actively pursuing international opportunities for years. An important part of this strategy involves providing top-notch sales and service to customers residing in German-speaking countries. The company established RUTHMANN GmbH in Dobl (Austria) 12 years ago and acquired Horst Sieghard GmbH (near Vienna) in 2009.
In keeping with the old proverb “Birds of a feather flock together” RUTHMANN is now also implementing this strategy in Switzerland. HUBItech’s current business location and all existing employees, are being retained by RUTHMANN Schweiz AG. Roger Wagner – previous majority shareholder and General Manager of HUBItech AG – stated: “The team and I are delighted to be a member of the RUTHMANN Group.”
Uwe Strotmann – authorized officer of RUTHMANN GmbH & Co.KG and now also a board member of RUTHMANN Schweiz AG – added: “RUTHMANN’s acquisition of HUBItec AG can be attributed to years of successful collaboration between the two companies. We would like to welcome HUBItec employees to the RUTHMANN family.”
With the inception of RUTHMANN Schweiz AG, a new organizational framework is being implemented. Rolf Kulawik (General Manager of RUTHMANN GmbH & Co. KG) will be Chairman of the Board of Directors. Roger Löhrer – with years of experience in the automotive industry – will be the new General Manager. Roger Wagner – an industry expert with more than 30 years of experience – is the new General Sales Manager. Mr. Wagner will fully concentrate on customer service for all RUTHMANN products – STEIGER, ECOLINE, BLUELIFT, and VERSALIFT. Customers in Switzerland will still have the same contacts. The Service Department – headed by Ralf Bechtiger – will continue to provide the same first-rate service that customers are familiar with.
RUTHMANN Schweiz AG aims to further strengthen current customer relations, develop new target markets, and maximize customer benefits across Switzerland. RUTHMANN guarantees even closer customer proximity. Roger Löhrer – the new General Manager – made the following comment: “With RUTHMANN Schweiz AG, we will further enhance the level of professionalism and intensify sales and service activities throughout Switzerland. Regardless of whether customers are looking for new or used aerial work platforms, we want to be the most competent partner in the industry. Of course, RUTHMANN not only services its own brands but also those made by other manufacturers.”
Great news for customers:
The entire RUTHMANNECOLINE product line (thrifty, “low budget”, truck-mounted aerial work platforms with 16 m – 24 m working heights on 3.5 t chassis) and RUTHMANNBLUELIFT models (very compact, professional track-drive access platforms, featuring 11 – 31 m working heights) can now be purchased directly from the manufacturer (direct-to-consumer sales).
With the new product lines, RUTHMANN will be able to serve existing and future target audiences better than ever before.
Customers can expect excellence not only when purchasing new aerial work platforms but also later when it comes to maintenance, care, inspection, and repair. RUTHMANN will now greatly expand its customer-oriented service activities in Switzerland. For example, in addition to the service center in Kloten (near Zurich), fully-equipped service vehicles will soon be offering Swiss customers unparalleled on-site service/repair right on their own premises.
For RUTHMANN owners Heinrich Winkelmann and Heinz-Jürgen Buss, the HUBItec AG acquisition is another important building block in RUTHMANN’s internationalization strategy.
Words: 698, characters without spaces: 4.034; characters with spaces: 4.737; lines: 73
Your contact for this press release:
Stefanie David (RUTHMANN media Service, COEmarketing GmbH )
Fon.: +49 (0) 25 41 / 800 68 - 13
Gregor Schlingschröder (RUTHMANN media Service, COEmarketing GmbH )
Fon.: +49 (0) 25 41 / 800 68 - 11