The city of Metzingen in Baden-Württemberg at the foothills of the Swabian Alb mountains is primarily known as a shopping paradise. The self-named Outlet City with a population of 22,000 is home to numerous fashion labels, attracting more than 4 million fashion enthusiasts every year. Since autumn last year, it also has a used-machine outlet operated by STS Maschinendienstleistung GmbH. However, the company belonging to the HELLER Group has much more to offer than an attractive window display. We paid a visit to Marcus Genkinger and his team.
TEXT Lukas Schult PHOTOS Tanja Kasten
At the beginning of November last year, STS Maschinendienstleistungen GmbH (STS) located in Metzingen’s industrial estate had cause for a celebration. With a two-day open house, the company successfully inaugurated its new used-machine outlet. The new showroom offers plenty of space and the perfect setting for the fully reconditioned HELLER machine tools to shine in new splendour. “A lot of hard work and extensive know-how goes into the reconditioning of each machine,” explains Marcus Genkinger, STS founder and Managing Director. Yet, before the process can begin, the machines first need to find their way to Metzingen. This is done either by purchasing them directly from the customer or via contacts at HELLER Sales. “We also have rental machines from the HELLER4Use programme.”
Following a comprehensive incoming inspection, a decision as to what work is required is made on a case-by-case basis. One key area of the subsequent reconditioning work is the machine geometry, which is confirmed in a geometric protocol at the end of the process. “Moreover, we are able to respond to specific customer requests, for example, to incorporate additional options,” explains Genkinger. Following final acceptance, the machine is transported to customer site for commissioning and on-site training of the operators. Furthermore, Genkinger and his team offer support in finding the right type of machine for the application in order to provide customers with the best possible solution in each case. In addition to the purchase, sale and reconditioning of used machines, STS also offers complete machine tool retrofits. For this purpose, the machine tool is dismantled down to the last nut and bolt, thoroughly cleaned and rebuilt from the ground up. “All parts affecting quality such as spindles or pallet changers are fully re-assembled. That is also why we provide a new manufacturer warranty at the end,” explains the 54-year-old father of three.
Quite generally, Marcus Genkinger is a calm, level-headed and straightforward person. In 1983, he completed his Machine Fitter apprenticeship and then obtained additional qualifications as an Information Electronics Technician at HELLER in Nürtingen where he subsequently held a managerial position in the service department before going into business for himself at the beginning of the noughties under the name STS – Service, Training, Software. Initially self-employed, he founded a limited company in 2011 employing two staff. Since then, the company has seen continual growth and now employs approx. 30 people to support more than 300 customers from 22 countries.
Over the years, the company has steadily developed its range of services. Whilst initially the focus was only on machine service, the portfolio was later expanded by retrofits of used machines with the company developing more and more into a control technology provider offering everything from a single source – from planning, control cabinet construction and software development through to commissioning.
Another crucial factor for the company’s success is the partnership with HELLER. As a part of the HELLER Group, STS is making a significant contribution to the overall development of the company. “To me, partnership is a give-and-take relationship. Loyalty plays an important role in this context. And this is exactly our experience with HELLER. My goal is to contribute to the success of the entire Group.”
