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Energetically sustainable crane construction

29.08.2022 von Ida Lösch - Editorial Office InnHügelLand Magazin

Interview with Ms. Loesch from the editors of InnHügelLand Magazin and the managing director Mr. Robert Altmann:

Mr. Altmann, when was company established?

Altmann GmbH was founded in 1995 by my father Josef Altmann and me. He was originally a sales representative for crane systems. For my part, I have a business and mechanical engineering background and I am an inspector for cranes. At that time, the market was undergoing enormous change - so we got together and founded Altmann GmbH. A year later, my brother Achim, who is an industrial engineer, also joined the management. Our father is now enjoying his well-deserved retirement, and my brother and I are running the business.

Wasn't the company in Albaching from the start?

No, our original company headquarters was in Ebersberg. We have been here in Albaching since 2000. First on a smaller property with only one hall and since 2012 here on the larger double property with the possibility of expansion.

What were the reasons for the change of location?

On the one hand, of course, the possibilities in terms of space requirements for the construction of new buildings for production and administration. On the other hand, the very business-friendly attitude of the municipality of Albaching was very appealing to us.

Is it more difficult to find suitable employees in rural areas like this?

Rather the opposite. We found that beside the fact that we can address excellent employees and young people for training here, also motivation and professional qualifications are often better than in the cities. Especially in the last two years, the rural exodus has rather turned into an urban exodus. The quality of life and cost of living in the countryside are significantly better than in the big centres like Munich.

Fig. 1: Apprenticeship at Altmann

How large is the workforce at Altmann GmbH?

We are currently a team of 52 employees.

Does the company also offer training?

Yes, we are happy to offer various apprenticeships. We are committed supporters of the apprenticeship in crafts and would like to see other sectors to intensify this kind of qualification, too. In my opinion, not everyone has to have a high school diploma and go to university. Rather, I think a reasonable career path starts with good basic work and continues with the many opportunities that further professional training offers today.

Last but not least, the Covid-19 situation has made it clear to us that regional production should come to the fore again, instead of becoming dependent on insecure supply chains. This is only possible with the appropriate specialists. Having a good apprenticeship diploma is one of the most valuable qualifications one can have in the professional world. Some countries envy us for this basis, we should however benefit more from that. I think that it is much more satisfying to produce something with my hands than to deal with the theory at my desk. Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of this.

Last but not least, the Covid-19 situation has made it clear to us that regional production should come to the fore again, instead of becoming dependent on insecure supply chains. This is only possible with the appropriate specialists. Having a good apprenticeship diploma is one of the most valuable qualifications one can have in the professional world. Some countries envy us for this basis, we should however benefit more from that. I think that it is much more satisfying to produce something with my hands than to deal with the theory at my desk. Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of this.

Which jobs can be trained here?

We offer a wide variety - from the mechatronics technician to the industrial electrician, specialist for lathe and mill cutting, construction mechanic or the technical product designer. Currently we have six apprentices in the company, and we are already looking for other motivated young colleagues for 2023. The main premise is that we want to continue employing these young people after they have completed their apprenticeship. Of course, we also support further training measures or additional training, such as the college for master craftsmen.

What is produced at Altmann GmbH?

We primarily build special crane systems, taking a two-pronged approach in the areas of automation and cleanroom cranes. Automation, with a share of around 40 %, is about cranes that really work automatically, and this is already moving towards robotics. When it comes to clean room use, where we currently have a growing business share of around 60 %, we develop solutions for sectors such as optics or the pharmaceutical industry...

You can find the whole interview in the current InnHügelMagazine 08/2022 #02-Summer 2022 from page 6 or online: https://innmagazin.de/

Fig. 2: The heating/cooling concept for the two company buildings is part of the energy independence.

Fig. 3: The two largest cleanroom cranes ever built in the world come from Altmann.