Turbulence in the automotive industry and rising costs are putting enormous pressure on Polytec. Hörsching’s plastics processor is also taking drastic steps to save energy. At the same time, courage is drawn from the turbulent times of the past.
Highly fluctuating order quantities, repeated short-term cancellations – the turbulence in the automotive industry has a direct impact on the supply industry. Pressure that Polytec also faces – and that is reflected in the figures: at the end of the first half of the year, the plastics processor was only just in the profit zone. “It’s a big burden, but the basis for survival is there,” says CEO Markus Huemer, who succeeded his father at the top of the company in 2019.
Since then, the turbulence has not stopped: Corona, broken supply chains, rising costs, changing order quantities. “There is no planability,” Huemer says. New production plans are made weekly in the factories. “The back and forth creates enormous problems,” says CTO Heiko Gabbert. There are also energy concerns. For example, gas is needed for drying when painting.
When it comes to switching to oil, the people at Hörsching are hesitant – because of the technical requirements and the cost. “We don’t have tanks for oil either,” says Huemer.
“We have always succeeded”
Each site has had its own energy savings program for the past two months – sometimes factories are shut down completely for a few days to increase the savings potential. “Polytec has been through many crises. We have always succeeded,” says Huemer, of whom the situation demands a lot: “Not getting nervous is the most important thing.”
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
