NetterVibration is an internationally leading manufacturer and service provider in the field of vibration technology. Since 1953 the company stands for highly efficient vibration technology “Made in Germany”.NetterVibration combines valuable experience with excellent technical know-how and a passion for innovation.
Interview with Achim Werkmann, CEO of NetterVibration.
Easy Engineering: A brief description of the company and its activities.
Achim Werkmann: NetterVibration is an internationally leading manufacturer and service provider in the field of vibration technology. Since 1953 we stand for highly efficient vibration technology “Made in Germany”. We combine valuable experience with excellent technical know-how and a passion for innovation.
Vibration solutions from NetterVibration are the guarantee of success for efficient bulk material handling. Whether cleaning, loosening, dosing, sorting, feeding compacting or packaging: We get material moving. With our wide range of products and solutions, we help manufacturing companies to simplify and accelerate numerous applications and processes.
E.E: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
A.W: We have customers in all branches of industry that rely on our high-quality and durable products and benefit from the added value of our individual application advice. At NetterVibration, we combine research, development, production, and sales under one roof. This enables us to always involve our customers in all processes and to tailor products and solutions perfectly to their specific needs.
NetterVibration is headquartered in Mainz-Kastel, Germany, and has its own subsidiaries in Switzerland, Poland, Spain, Australia, Great Britain and France. A close network of partners ensures the worldwide availability of our products.
E.E: What’s the news about new products/services?
A.W: Our comprehensive application knowledge enables us to specialise in particularly complex processes. We offer vibrators and impactors both for oil-free operation made of stainless steel and ATEX-certified for compliant use, i. e. in the food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. The requirements for hygiene and explosion protection standards are particularly high for production processes in these industries. With the NTK 8 S made of stainless steel and the NTK 18 AL EL made of aluminium, for instance, NetterVibration presents two pneumatic piston vibrators from the NTK series that have been specifically developed for use in these industries. Depending on the application, the products are available as ATEX-compliant and/or lubrication free versions. The stainless-steel housing is resistant to aggressive cleaning agents. Both NTKs can be used as drives for conveying and sieve troughs, as well as for cleaning and emptying of hoppers and other containers.
And of course, our product portfolio also includes devices that can withstand extreme temperatures.
E.E: What are the ranges of products/services?
A.W: With more than 3,000 vibrators and impactors, we offer the largest selection of industrial vibrators in the world. In addition, a large number of vibration technology systems with corresponding accessories complement our wide range of products. These include individual devices as well as complete vibration systems, e.g. vibrating tables as well as conveyors and dosing systems. Quality, safety, and reliability are the focus of all our products. High-quality materials, well thought-out technology and perfect functionality characterise the vibrators from NetterVibration. Whether pneumatically, hydraulically, or electrically driven. No matter whether large or small. No matter what frequency or amplitude. Our products also have a lot to offer in terms of appearance and shine through innovative design or individualisation according to customer requirements.
E.E: What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
A.W: Our market is relatively stable with an increasing demand for intelligent solutions and characterised by internationalisation. Suppliers must be just as internationally positioned as customers and offer corresponding service.
As a German company, we face a skilled labour shortage and have to fight for the attention of applicants like most other companies at the moment. However, we are very successful in generating enthusiasm: The work at a modern medium-sized company is exciting and varied, the working environment is impressive, and the benefits for the workforce are now on a par with those of larger companies. At the same time, there is plenty of room for personal initiative and development. Many have been able to grow with the company, joining us as trainees, for example, and have since become an integral part of their departments and in some cases have even risen to management positions.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
A.W: We see an increased demand in customised, intelligent vibration technology solutions. Our customers face cost pressures and are in search of sustainable, highly efficient production processes. There are numerous examples of our products contributing to these aims. By compacting plastic packaging, for example, we managed to reduce the cost and environmental footprint of shipping by 20% in a process tailored precisely to local requirements.
Higher industry standards and customer demands result in many industries optimising production processes and, thus, relying on our expertise. Vibration for example, ensures breakage- and segregation-free conveying, precise dosing, and regular, controllable material flows in the food industry. They also allow easy emptying and cleaning of leftovers, separated or carefully sieved ingredients. Finally, they ensure optimum filling of the packaging. The results are shorter cycle times, optimised transport costs, consistent quality and an overall reduction in waste.
E.E: What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
A.W: Our new ePKL, an in-house patented development, now complements the established PKL series, for instance. The PKL series includes tried-and-tested impactors, tailored to a wide range of customer needs, and generate impacts by means of a compressed air driven piston which simulates a hammer strike, this makes it possible to loosen hard-to-remove adhesions on vessel walls, pipes, and containers in the majority industrial environments.
The new ePKL which is electrically driven, can be used in areas where a compressed air supply is not available. The ePKL is just as compact, robust as the corresponding pneumatic models. We see an increased demand for such innovative solutions. When using renewable energy, the ePKL helps with the drive to be more sustainable. The control system can be easily integrated into modern “Industry 4.0” processes, for example, the rapper sequence can be optimised to operate on container fill levels or similar measurement, resulting in energy savings.
E.E: What estimations do you have for the beginning of 2024?
A.W: We stand for “serving industry with vibration” and therefore trust in a strong industrial location in Germany but are also strengthening our global sales organisation. We will continue to grow and continuously expand our team. In doing so, we also must cope with a generational change in some areas.
We are excited about new developments concerning our products. We have a wide range of products and are well positioned in all areas to accompany and support our customers.