Relocation and sales record
In May 1919, the "Hermann Pawlik - Elektrotechnische Fabrik Heliogen" was founded in Königsee (Thuringia) as a wholesaler for small low current parts. From one of its successors came the Antennentechnik Bad Blankenburg, which achieved incredible things last year. The GmbH moved from its eponymous headquarters near Rudolstadt with 90 employees to Weimar. It put a new factory into operation in Legefeld, developed a new product line to market readiness and increased sales by 15 percent in the same year. With 10.5 million euros, the ten million mark was broken for the first time, says Managing Director Dr. Michael Weber, not without pride. A true masterpiece of the workforce.
Expectations for the city
Dr. Weber describes the company's situation to Mayor Peter Kleine and delegates of the town council. The Legefelder want to organize an industrial park festival. District mayor Petra Seidel had invited Kleine to the local council and also asked her to join the tour of the companies. "I get valuable information from the managing directors about their expectations of the city," says Peter Kleine. After some thought, Weber promptly gives me a whole list, even though he is enthusiastic about Weimar. The wish "a proper winter road clearance service also in the industrial park" results from his experiences of the last few days. A little longer ago, "the grass was cut in the middle of rush hour". More attention for technical professions is more likely to result from the general impression of the Neu-Weimarer of the city. He misses a feeling for manufacturing companies and technical professions, is appalled by the condition of the Legefeld school, sees some potential in local traffic and would like to see a traffic circle at the Holzdorfer Kreuz.
Significantly more applicants after relocation
Nevertheless, the managing director sees the move as the right step. The application situation has really taken a leap, he says and knows that this is first and foremost due to the Weimar location. The young professionals from the surrounding universities, at which he is aiming, "need suitable apartments". Born in the Black Forest, he joined the management of Antennentechnik Bad Blankenburg GmbH two years ago. He had also taken over shares in the company and managed it until last summer together with Michael Märte, the managing partner for many years. After moving to Weimar, he left the company. Since then, Weber has been running the company on his own and can rely on a wealth of experience. Dr. Weber was head of operative projects in the infotainment sector of the BMW group and then spent three years at Kathrein, the leading telecommunications supplier and world market leader in integrated vehicle antennas. As Chief Technology Officer, he was a member of the management board.
Great opportunities for antenna construction
Slightly more than half of the workforce is employed in production. The ten-person development department is largely responsible for deciding on the future. A product in the automotive sector needs five years of lead time, says the managing director, who sees great opportunities for antenna construction. These lie in digitization and the requirement for antennas to take on more and more functions directly in components. The 5G radio standard is practically on the doorstep. Growth areas are waiting in "autonomous driving" or smart home functions. For Weber, it is therefore important that the 19,000 square meter company site could also accommodate a second factory.
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