Tettnang, 27 March 2024 - Stephan Pies is the new Managing Director of Bucher Automation Tettnang GmbH. He succeeds Michael Preuß, who is retiring on 1 April after 37 years with the company. Pies' main aims are to further develop the Bucher Automation brand at the Tettnang site, continue his predecessor's growth trajectory and expand the recycling division.
Stephan Pies comes from Tettnang and has been with the company since 2011, a true home-grown talent and therefore very familiar with the situation. Most recently, the industrial engineer was sales manager and authorised signatory and was appointed to the management board at the beginning of the year. On 1 April, Pies will now officially take the helm at Bucher Automation Tettnang.
Klares Bekenntnis zum Standort Tettnang
The timing is perfect. The change of name last summer marked a real milestone in the company's history. The process is now largely complete, the course has been set and the agenda for the new boss is full to bursting: Above all, Stephan Pies wants to further develop the Bucher Automation brand at the Tettnang site, efficiently utilise the synergies within the Group and continue the strategic growth course of his predecessor.
Further expanding its leading role in the glass industry division
Bucher Automation Tettnang is one of the world's leading suppliers of complex automation solutions for machine and plant manufacturers, specialising in the glass manufacturing industry. Under Pies' aegis, the company will further expand and consolidate its already strong market position in this business area. In addition, the company will increasingly focus on the still young business area of recycling, a business area with a future. The main focus here is on the careful and sustainable use of resources and the recovery of valuable raw materials and energy-efficient processes. Pies: "We supply the right automation solutions for this."
High investments in digitalisation and automation
The company invested a large proportion of the revenue generated in the 2023 financial year in the digitalisation and automation of its own production. "This proportion should remain within this corridor in the future, but in absolute terms we want to grow steadily," Pies states. The aim is also to continue the company's previous growth trajectory in terms of annual turnover.
Modern and attractive employer
"In order to grow, we need qualified employees," adds Managing Director Pies. Bucher Automation currently employs around 90 people in Tettnang. In a few years' time, this figure is expected to rise to around 120. "So we must also continue to develop as an employer and offer an attractive, modern and appreciative environment that can also keep pace with the rising expectations and demands of future generations." In concrete terms, this means, among other things, more autonomy and responsibility for employees at operational levels. So that Stephan Pies, as Managing Director, can focus primarily on strategic tasks - and still remain an approachable, personal contact for everyone.
The right man
"The fact that Stephan is now taking over the management here is a very logical development," explains Christian Benz, who in his role as CEO of Bucher Automation AG in Marbach is also Managing Director of the Tettnang subsidiary. "He knows our company like no other, brings a wealth of experience and even more knowledge to the table and, above all, has a real vision for Bucher Automation Tettnang." CEO Benz is convinced that "the future of our company is in exactly the right hands."
