A VIEW OF THE COMPANY FROM THE MANAGEMENT TEAM
UDO RÜGAMER
Plant Manager
RALF SCHIFFMANN
Managing Director for Sales
FLORIAN POSER
CFO
The family plays a central role, it is the heart of the company.
Ralf Schiffmann
Mr. Schiffmann, what is Göpfert’s unique selling point?
Ralf Schiffmann: That’s a question that can’t be answered in just one sentence. Göpfert has many unique attributes. We are rooted in family values and have evolved into a large, successful family-owned group over the past 75 years. This includes a strong sense of unity, not just within the family but across the various divisions and departments of the company. We have an open communication culture, rely on short communication channels, and make decisions quickly. These are some of the key factors that set us apart. In which areas is Göpfert ahead of the competition?
Ralf Schiffmann: We lead in the fields of rotary die-cutting and high-graphics flexo printing. Additionally, we are currently positioning ourselves to take on a leading role in flatbed die-cutting. Mr. Rügamer, how important is each individual employee to the success of the company?
Udo Rügamer: Every employee is a cog in the wheel. Everyone contributes to ensuring that our wheel runs smoothly. Because I hire people, I know that many of them enjoy working here and that they stay for a long time, which is also reflected in our low staff turnover rate. That’s a good thing, because we need the support of every employee.
What does it take to work at Göpfert? Udo Rügamer: It depends on where you are employed, but the core requirements are: motivation, alignment with our company spirit, and a strong drive for success. If you have these qualities, you’ll fit right in here.
Mr. Poser, what fascinates you most when you look at the company‘s history?
Florian Poser: I have known the company for 25 years. I have found the last 15 years particularly impressive in terms of the large number of investments that have been made in the company. This includes innovations, but also expansions such as the founding of Göpfert Prefeeder and Göpfert Machinery USA, as well as the acquisition of the Swedish company Corrpal. I am also thinking of the two awards we have received from ‘Bayerns Best 50’, which show that our work and performance are also recognized outside the company. Mr. Schiffmann, how important is the Göpfert family for the success of the company?
Ralf Schiffmann: The family plays a central role; it is the heart of the company. All family members are involved in the company. In this respect, the company is based on the family, which plays an enormously important role in all departments
Mr. Rügamer, how do you solve problems at Göpfert?
Udo Rügamer: Quickly and efficiently. We give problems top priority, especially if they affect our customers. We drop everything, stop our machines and focus on solving the customer‘s problem so that their machines are up and running again. This approach comes from the family, particularly from the mindset of Karl Franz Göpfert. We still uphold this principle to this day. Mr. Poser, what changes does the company need to prepare for in the future?
Florian Poser: A major issue we are facing is the shortage of skilled workers. We need to do more to attract talented employees. We have to make ourselves more appealing and come up with new ideas to address this challenge. One reason for this shift is the changing attitude toward work. We must adapt to this, but I’m confident that we are already well-equipped to do so.
Ralf Schiffmann: Regarding attractiveness, I‘d like to add that there’s no need for a fundamental change. If you look at our offices or production and assembly halls, you’ll see modern technologies and equipment in a clean, pleasant working environment – one where people enjoy spending time. After all, we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, so it’s crucial that the environment is comfortable. Creating a workplace where people feel at ease is one of our main priorities for the future.
You need to have a passion for success. Then you’ll be a good fit for us.
Udo Rügamer
”Göpfert is always good for surprises: One of the company’s hallmarks is its culture of innovation with a focus on excellence. This is how Göpfert continues to drive the industry.“
”Göpfert is always good for surprises: One of the company’s hallmarks is its culture of innovation with a focus on excellence. This is how Göpfert continues to drive the industry.“
Will there be changes in the use of corrugated board as a material, or has its development reached its limit?
Ralf Schiffmann: Corrugated board has been around for many decades. Further development of this material is now taking place in very manageable steps, because the components of corrugated board are not changing for the time being. And that‘s a good thing, because corrugated board has a decisive advantage over other materials: it is usually only used once, for example in the form of a transport package or a protective box, before it is recycled and reused. This is what makes the material so durable and sustainable. Has the development of machines for processing corrugated board reached its end?
Udo Rügamer: Development never ends; it always continues. This applies to our machines as well as to machines that we need and purchase for our own purposes. We have invested heavily in new production machines in recent years. We are seeing machines becoming faster and more precise. There is no end in sight to their development. What fascinates you about corrugated cardboard as a material, Mr. Poser?
Florian Poser: On the one hand, its sustainability. This is an aspect that is becoming increasingly important in today‘s world. On the other hand, its versatility. You can make just about anything out of it: packaging, furniture, pallets – the possibilities are virtually endless. I am fascinated by this potential. What surprises can customers look forward to from Göpfert in the future?
Ralf Schiffmann: (Laughs) Göpfert is always good for surprises, but I can’t reveal any secrets just yet. What I can say, however, is that we remain vigilant and in tune with the times. We recognize the needs of the market and respond accordingly – ideally in a way that keeps us one step ahead of the competition. That has been our focus over the past decades, and it will remain so in the future.
Why are you optimistic about the future of the company?
Ralf Schiffmann: For many reasons. First, the family. It is committed to passing the business on from generation to generation. Three generations are currently working within the company and I’m confident that the next generations will continue in the same spirit as their predecessors. That’s a fundamental guarantee. Secondly, when you see the company’s investments in new machinery, buildings, technologies, and R&D, it’s clear that the focus is on the future. We are well-positioned with our products, competitive in the market and even a market leader in many areas. So, I have no concerns about the future.
Udo Rügamer: I have little to add. I’ve been with the company for 42 years and what strengthens my belief in our future are the customers who continue to return to us, even after decades. If they didn’t come back, we’d have a poor product. The fact that we have long-standing customers who keep coming back speaks volumes. It’s an incentive for us to maintain the company’s high standards and lead it into the future.
Florian Poser: Last but not least, I look at corrugated board itself. Almost everything is shipped nowadays and those goods need protection. Corrugated board is perfect for that. I expect demand to remain high or perhaps even increase, which will present new challenges. But we will face these challenges together with our customers, developing new solutions and machines. Göpfert machines will continue to be used around the world in the future.
Göpfert machines will continue to be used around the world in the future.
Florian Poser
About the interviewees:
Ralf Schiffmann, Managing Director for Sales He joined the company in 1989, where he initially worked as a graduate engineer in the technical office. After a year, he moved to sales and rose to head of this department within a few years. He has been Managing Director since 2018, focusing on customer management and sales.
Udo Rügamer, Plant Manager He joined the company in 1982, where he took over as production manager of the manufacturing department. After a few years, he was also put in charge of the warehouse, assembly and car pool. He was later appointed plant manager for the entire company.
Florian Poser, CFO and Authorized Officer, as well as Managing Director of Göpfert Prefeeder GmbH He joined the company in 2006, beginning his career as a commercial apprentice and later moving into the finance department. He then pursued a four-year degree at university while continuing to work part-time at Göpfert. After graduating, he returned to the company in a full-time role. In 2015 he became Managing Director of Göpfert Prefeeder GmbH, and since 2020 he has held commercial power of attorney (Prokura) for Göpfert Maschinen GmbH as Commercial Director.