The Goldschmidt Thermit Group continues to grow. In the business year for 2014 the joint welding, maintenance and repair of rail systems company increased its turnover by 12% to 127 million euros. The company employs almost 1,000 people worldwide. In 2014 around 10 million euros were invested in new production lines and expansion. For the current year the company group expects further significant growth.
"Last year we enjoyed considerable success", explains Dr. Hans-Jürgen Mundinger, CEO of the Goldschmidt Thermit Group. "The global market for rail infrastructure is booming. There is considerable potential for us to achieve further growth in this market segment."
Further acquisitions and joint ventures planned
In the coming years, in addition to organic growth and the recruitment of qualified employees, the group is planning external growth through acquisitions and joint ventures around the world. "We have identified companies we could use to expand our range of products and services to further substantially increase turnover and the profitability of the group", continues Mundinger. "We have successfully concluded the takeover of PortaCo in the USA. This is a blueprint for further acquisitions. Our profitable growth has enabled us to create an excellent basis for investments."
120 years of innovative drive – jubilee of the patenting of the THERMIT® process
This year the Goldschmidt Thermit Group celebrates its 120-year jubilee of the patenting of the THERMIT® process undertaken by Prof. Hans Goldschmidt in 1895. On the back of the patent the Goldschmidt family has built up a leading international family-owned company in the field of railway infrastructure.
"This strong innovative drive has always been an important growth engine for the Goldschmidt Thermit Group. With the founding of the Technology Innovation Center (TIC) last year in Leipzig we have sent a signal to our employees and customers that we intend to forge ahead with this successful development", emphasizes Mundinger. "From a smartphone app for the control of our precision measuring equipment up to machines for track construction and maintenance we are continually reinventing ourselves, to further expand our position as market leader in the infrastructure market."
An important revenue driver is the field of joint welding with THERMIT products produced in Halle (Saale), Germany, and other locations all around the world. There has also been strong growth in the field of tools and machines, the development and manufacture of tools and machines for the service and maintenance of rail systems, and also measuring equipment. Roughly one quarter of the company group’s turnover is achieved with services. The Goldschmidt Thermit Group as a service provider manages the complete maintenance of rail systems including measurement, error analysis, contract welding and grinding to repair rails.
Technology Innovation Center (TIC) sets new standards
In June 2014 the global R&D activities of the group were concentrated in the new Technology Innovation Center (TIC) in Leipzig. At the location, 18 highly qualified employees, especially technicians and engineers, work to promote the development of new products and techniques.
"The TIC has allowed us to set new standards in the R&D activities of the group", emphasizes Dr. Martin Niederkrüger, CTO of the Goldschmidt Thermit Group. "The THERMIT process is 120 years old. Today we continue to enjoy success because we have further developed and fine-tuned the process and developed new products for rail systems. The inventive spirit of the company founder lives on in the TIC."