SME Investments

Medium-sized companies form one of the most important pillars of the German economy and also make a decisive contribution to the economic dynamism of the country through their innovative strength and high degree of flexibility. Mostly with an annual turnover between € 10 million and € 100 million, often owner-managed and operating in niches, it is crucial for the success of such companies to be able to develop long-term perspectives.

This division offers medium-sized companies with a focus on German industry a reliable perspective to develop successfully in the long term under the Possehl umbrella. In addition, the SME segment sees itself as a platform for the development of independent new divisions. In 2017, we succeeded in this respect with the Identification Solutions division, and at the beginning of 2021 with the spin-off of the FoodTech Group.

Sales

2022 | € 137 million
2021 | € 156 million
2020 | € 204 million
2019 | € 240 million

Scope of activities/Products

  • Mechanical and plant engineering
  • Technical products
  • Services
  • Software

Customer groups

  • General industry
  • Municipalities
  • End consumers
  • Public sector

Number of employees in 2022

637

Annual average

A long-term and reliable perspective under the Possehl umbrella

The division currently consists of the following companies or groups of companies:

Business activity Company / lead company
Oil damage repair, tank/pipe cleaning Possehl Umweltschutz GmbH; nordrohr GmbH
Bathmats, bed linen, accessories Kleine Wolke Textilgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG
Marine technology GABLER Maschinenbau Group
Thermoforming machines GABLER Thermoform GmbH & Co. KG
Robot welding guns Düring Schweißtechnik GmbH
Technical hollow bodies SAVO-TECHNIK ROTATIONSGUSS GmbH
Equipment and vehicles for milk logistics Schwarte Group GmbH

In the reporting year, the SME Investments division recorded a decline in turnover of 9 %. The development of the individual companies was very different and the reasons for the different development were also diverse. Overall, it can be said that the smaller companies suffered significantly more from the supply chain problems, the increased procurement prices and especially from the lack of qualified personnel. The milk logistics sector, for example, recorded a significant decline in turnover and was unable to continue its aggressive expansion strategy of the previous year. Other companies in the division also did not yet show any noticeable revival or even had to record slight declines once again.

The strategic step taken by GABLER Maschinenbau to develop an “Ocean Group” is extremely positive. Following the acquisition of develogic, GABLER Maschinenbau has acquired stakes in the Kiel-based companies TrueOcean, north.io and NatureConnect. We can thus combine our existing experience in marine technology and in the field of manufacturing underwater hardware with Big Data and artificial intelligence.

Business Sites

Germany | Bremen, Emsdetten, Hamburg, Kiel, Königsbrunn, Lübeck, Reinfeld, Valluhn
Austria | Gmunden
Brazil | Itatiba
China | Shanghai, Taicang
Mexico | Puebla
Norway | Bergen
Poland | Koszalin
Switzerland | Mägenwil