Kemper has already set the structural course for further growth and is looking positively at development in the coming years. In the course of a personnel increase in all business areas, the number of employees in 2019 climbed by 13%, to more than 400.
"In the past fiscal year, we once again significantly strengthened our international market position," says Björn Kemper, CEO. "The demand for effective occupational safety in metalworking continues to grow, and Kemper is responding with smart solutions.”
One of the success factors is the strong European business. In the UK, the manufacturer has been benefiting from stricter health and safety regulations since February 2019, which is fuelling demand for welding fume extraction systems. In short, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reclassified welding fumes; it no longer only classifies hazardous substances as carcinogenic when welding stainless steel, but also when welding mild steel. Kemper says it has the world's most comprehensive portfolio of extraction systems for protection against carcinogenic welding fumes.
Last year, Kemper founded a subsidiary in Russia, repositioned its OEM business and strengthened all business areas with additional staff. Sales also increased significantly in the services segment, in particular thanks to the company’s restructured aftersales service. Furthermore, Frederic Lanz, a proven welding technology expert and industry insider, joined the Kemper management team, where he has been actively shaping the development of the company since January 2019.
"The course is set for further growth in the coming years, both structurally and in terms of personnel", says Lanz, managing director - marketing and sales. "Our solutions offer significant added value beyond pure extraction.”
As a further point of note, the ongoing shortage of skilled workers and increasing health awareness among welders remain important growth engines for Kemper. Metalworking companies are increasingly focusing on ‘soft’ factors when recruiting employees, such as a pleasant working atmosphere and a healthy working environment, sending positive signals to applicants.
"Discussions with our customers show quite clearly: clean factory buildings and a high level of occupational safety are an absolute must,” concludes Lanz.
