The Thuringian Forest with its picturesque landscape is definitely worth a visit. Moreover, it also offers places of interest for those looking for outstanding manufacturing solutions: these can be found in Steinbach-Hallenbach – the home of Paatz Viernau GmbH. At the location, approx. 90 employees produce individual parts and assemblies for HELLER machining centres; the portfolio also includes the manufacture of drilling and multi-spindle heads, complex fixtures and gripper systems. The company looks back on an eventful history since it was founded in 1890 – with a happy ending for the time being in 2018: ever since, Paatz Viernau has been part of the large HELLER family.
TEXT Sabine Muth PHOTOS Paatz Viernau GmbH
Steinbach-Hallenbach is located in the Hasel Valley on the southwestern slope of the Thuringian Forest. The ruins of Hallenburg castle tower above the scenery. The globally operating company Paatz Viernau has its roots in the 9,000 strong community. Loyalty is very important here. One example, among other things, is the strong commitment to the region and its people: from tablet computers for the Steinbach-Hallenberg school through to active and constructive participation in the broadband network expansion within the region – Paatz plays an active role.
Despite the company’s attachment to its home region and its appreciation for tradition, fresh winds of change are blowing through Paatz. Christian Kurtenbach is set to lead the company into a successful future geared towards growth. The 54-year-old father of three adult children joined HELLER in 2014. He has been Head of Mechanical Production in Nürtingen since 2018 and, among other things, successfully overlooked the expansion and conversion of production in Brazil. He has been a member of the management team at Paatz since 2021.
Digital transformation based on trust
Modern, innovative, digital, and sustainable – these are the attributes that shape the company’s understanding of itself. Kurtenbach considers it top priority to push digitisation within the group of companies and especially at Paatz. He can still remember the time without digital support: “When I completed my apprenticeship 35 years ago, the company mainly produced conventional, hand-set machines, tools and components for manual assembly of machines into a functioning machine tool or clamping fixture. Know-how was mainly stored in the minds of employees, whereas all other information was only available on paper.”
Today, things look very different, also due a massive expansion of digital infrastructure in the Thuringia region: all the machine data and know-how are stored in the system; the detailed-planning system is used for in-depth, multi-stage, reliable planning. “To achieve this kind of transformation and acceptance, we involved the employees in the process and were very transparent from the beginning,” explains Kurtenbach.
Growth succeeds when everyone pulls together
Kurtenbach sees the successful development as a genuine team effort. It runs like clockwork. Paatz management and the employees pull together. That is why it is very important to keep staff informed about what is going on in the company on a weekly basis. The focus is on motivating the workforce. Recently, a new, open performance appraisal system was introduced, offering employees detailed feedback twice a year – a system that has been well received and accepted. However, it is also clear that performance must be rewarded. In addition to monetary incentives, Paatz has recently started offering comprehensive health management: the company organises an annual health day and sponsors gym memberships and the purchase of bicycles. Further motivating factors are the pension scheme and incentive systems for apprentices.
Sustainable development leads to success
The sustainability goals of Paatz are simple and effective: protect the environment, save costs, secure the future. In each quarter of the year, energy consumption, wastewater, waste and emissions, but also the useful life of products and behaviours of employees are carefully scrutinised, and improvements implemented step by step. Continuous further development is a constant at Paatz – taking responsibility for the environment and society is part of it.
The management and workforce of Paatz agree: joining the HELLER Group was the right step towards a successful future. Much has changed since 2018: processes are structured, possible weaknesses are identified early on in order to take countermeasures. An optimal organisational structure – the result of extensive restructuring in 2020 – laid the foundation for an enormous increase in productivity and steady growth. Today, Paatz is proud that customers can rely on 100% quality, from the quotation to production through to delivery and service.
