AN INSTINCT FOR CHANGE Linde&Wiemann, an owner-managed, medium-sized company with several locations in the Czech Republic, has supplied the automotive sector with structural components and assemblies for over 70 years. Romana Moares spoke to the assistant vice-president for eastern Europe, Mr Xabier Ezkurra, about what makes the company unique, and why the brand is today considered a synonym for quality, reliability and safety.
L
inde&Wiemann can boast a long tradition and today is well known for its unconventional thinking and know-how, gained through many years of experience finding the right solutions that are tailor-made to suit the most demanding of customers. It is a well-established and renowned specialist in comprehensive component groups. With its components, designed as intelligent profiles and pressed parts in sophisticated sub-assemblies, Linde&Wiemann has achieved worldwide success. Product development and prototyping as well as mass production are contained in-house. The company has approximately 1700 people in 15 production facilities throughout Europe and operates sales offices worldwide. Its production capacities are globally supported by its automotive alliance partners in America and Asia. Over the years, Linde&Wiemann has established a reputation synonymous with quality and trust. Consistent quality to the highest specifications and concentration on the essentials are always the priority. Maximum effort is spent on developing new products that contribute towards improving vehicle safety while, at the same time, reducing their weight. 56 Industry Europe
Mr Xabier Ezkurra confirms this focus: “Our products are those parts of a vehicle which improve its safety and reduce weight. These include, to be more specific, side members, A and B pillars, front ends, instrumental panels, seats and suspensions.”
Global reach As mentioned before, the company supplies its products exclusively to the automotive sector, which is currently growing. The management therefore expects further capacity increases and a stronger market position. This year, major investment is planned into new technologies and new projects. Linde&Wiemann has three locations in the Czech Republic: Benatky nad Jizerou, Lysa nad Labem and Breclav. “Altogether, the company operates 15 plants worldwide: five in Germany, three in Spain, three in the Czech Republic, two in South Africa, two in China and one in Turkey – the last three being joint ventures with local partners. In the coming months we are planning to expand our capacity in the Czech Republic with a new factory and to establish our first
