In 2012 Beckhoff Automation achieved worldwide sales of 408 million euros. This corresponds to a reduction in sales of 12% compared with the previous year in which the Verl, Germany-based company achieved global sales of 465 million euros. Nevertheless, the company is satisfied with current sales levels, as a correction was expected following two boom years characterized by a steep increase in sales of almost 100%.
Since the company’s last financial statement, the number of Beckhoff employees has risen by 5% to 2,200 worldwide. Apart from the continuously increasing personnel, expanding administration and production facilities as well as strengthening the German and international sales network, Managing Director Hans Beckhoff relies above all on a technological lead through innovation. Therefore, the fields of research and development in particular have grown and will expand further still in 2013.
The export share of Beckhoff sales was about 55% of the total sales; of that, 27% was attributed to Europe (excluding Germany), 16% to Asia, 10% to North America and 2% to the remaining countries in which Beckhoff operates worldwide.
National and international expansion
Beckhoff is currently represented in 62 countries worldwide by 30 subsidiary companies and sales partners; the expansion of the sales network is currently driven forward by opening new branch offices. In Germany, the Baden-Warttemberg region will acquire a further office in Crailsheim to achieve even better proximity to customers in the region. Additional regional sales offices are planned as well. Export activities are being driven forward intensively by strengthening and extending national branch offices. Following the opening of Beckhoff subsidiary companies in Hungary and New Zealand in 2012, two new locations are planned for 2013 in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Site expansion and extension of production capacities
Beckhoff also expanded its facilities in different locations in 2012. With the completion of a new office building in Savage, Minn. near Minneapolis, the course has been set for increased sales growth at the corporate headquarters of Beckhoff USA. In addition, a new administration building with floor space of 12,000 square meters opened at the company’s global headquarters site in Verl. Moreover, a new training and education center has opened. A new laboratory building for EMC tests and equipment certification is due to open in 2013. The Beckhoff drive technology division is expanding at its Marktheidenfeld, Germany production site where the production and administration areas are being doubled with the opening of a new building.
Increasing the technological lead: Beckhoff invests in research and development
In parallel with the expansion of sales and office space, Beckhoff is also expanding its research and development capacities. Out of a total of 2,200 employees working for the company, over 750 are engineers. Leveraging this valuable pool of talent, Beckhoff has made it a goal to substantially expand R&D activities once again in 2013.
To avoid a lack of junior employees, Beckhoff has a strong dedication to training new employees. Presently, there are 98 apprentices and 66 students at the company.
Beckhoff Automation
www.beckhoffautomation.com
Filed Under: Factory automation