The autumn event of the FLG Seniors’ Club was attended by more than 170 former employees, demonstrating the strong ties they still have with their employer. As well as spending time reminiscing, they also enjoyed a guided tour of the pioneering Rittershausen plant, followed by a presentation and discussion with Prof. Friedhelm Loh on how the group is modernising its in-house processes, as well as those of its customers, to make them fit for the digital future.
The most recent FLG Seniors’ Club meeting demonstrated that good relationships with colleagues and interest in the company’s progress are maintained even after retirement. Over 170 former employees of the family-owned enterprise accepted an invitation by Chairman Jürgen Graf to visit the state-of-the-art Rittal plant in Rittershausen followed by an informal evening in the local village hall.
Innovation after innovation: from the first standard enclosure to the AI edge data centre.
In the village hall, the guests were welcomed by Prof. Loh, who shared some exciting prospects for the future: “Family-owned enterprises build long-term relationships spanning generations,” explained Prof. Loh. “This is why we must stay on the ball and drive innovations forward, so that we can build on the successful achievements of those here this evening, carry it forward, and expand on it for future generations.” The company, he said, must weather the challenging economic situation and overcome the numerous obstacles to global trade – no easy task. Rapid digital progress is opening up brand new opportunities in this regard. But it’s also worth remembering that, “We cannot afford to stand still, or else we will be overtaken even more quickly.”
Progress at the Friedhelm Loh Group extends far beyond the products themselves. “By collaborating closely, Rittal and Eplan have scrutinised every aspect of panel building and switchgear manufacturing processes. We now support our customers across their entire value chain.”
Prof Loh also outlined the company’s latest activities in a brand new segment to his audience: Companies from the Friedhelm Loh Group in collaboration with Bosch Connected Industry have unveiled the first real-time, data-sovereign, AI-based edge data centre for the industrial production data processing: ONCITE. “This meets a key requirement for future value creation with data – for our group, and for German industry as a whole.”
This family entrepreneur values the opportunity to catch up with former employees very highly. He has supported the Seniors’ Club since its foundation in 2001.
Industry 4.0 has arrived in Dietzhölztal
Plant Director Norbert Peter updates the audience on production progress at Rittershausen and Ewersbach. For the production of its new VX25 large enclosure system, Rittal converted its Rittershausen plant to an ultra-modern future-proof enclosure factory while remaining operational. High-tech production lines equipped with artificial intelligence which are able to learn, plan, and optimise maintenance – a vision of the future which has already become a reality at Rittershausen. In neighbouring Ewersbach, too, everything is in place for the future of the company and that of the region. Among other things, the new factory will manufacture IT containers for modular data centres and enclosure systems made from stainless steel. Around 140 new jobs were created in Ewersbach as a result. Norbert Peter’s comments reflected his enormous personal respect. “I don’t usually get excited about presentations, but this is a very special occasion. Among the audience, I can see many people I first met decades ago as a young recruit.”
Staying active in retirement
The FLG Seniors’ Club has more than 600 members. In spring and autumn each year, former employees get together to discuss the latest news and reminisce. This keeps them in touch with the group long after their active employment has ended. As well as joint excursions and factory visits, the seniors appreciate visits from former colleagues on their birthdays. The ex-employees are also actively involved in a range of social projects, explains Heidi Bastian, who heads up the work of the Seniors’ Club at the Loh Academy, the Group’s in-house training facility.