Record run at AMF stopped

The traditional company was still on course until summer, followed by a real slump and reluctance to buy in September, which affected the entire industry. However, because the innovative products of the future in the growth areas of automation, process optimisation and additive manufacturing still showed a clear increase, the management is optimistic about the future. Further investments in in-house production, digitisation and training of employees should reverse the trend in 2020.

"After six sales records in succession, it is not surprising that it could not go on forever under the difficult global political conditions with trade conflicts, Brexit and general uncertainty," emphasizes Johannes Maier, managing partner of Andreas Maier GmbH & Co. KG in Fellbach. With 47.3 million euros in annual sales, the market leader for clamping, screwing and closing recorded a decline of almost 5.5 percent in 2019 compared to the previous year. Maier attributes the main reasons for this to a general reluctance in the placement of orders in the fourth quarter due to the uncertainties in all markets. "The companies are planning very carefully and for increasingly shorter periods, but that can just as quickly tip in the other direction," believes Maier. This is also reflected by the many contacts and discussions that were held at the EMO trade fair in September. "That was far more than we have ever registered," said Maier. For this reason, he wants to remain flexible with his company and be able to react quickly.

Confidence for 2020 thanks to future-proof products

Those responsible see reason for optimism in the continued strong growth of innovative products for automated production and additive manufacturing. With the zero-point clamping system "Zero-Point", the AMF radio sensor system and the gripper, which was newly introduced in 2019, AMF has competitive solutions for automation on the machine table that are establishing themselves worldwide. In 2019, another innovative product with a new loading system was added. This means that AMF can also automate the path of the workpieces to the machine and support low-manpower production. In times of a shortage of skilled workers, this is an important aspect that underlines the traditional company's flair for future-proof solutions.

AMF continues to see growth opportunities in the field of ​​automation in Germany and Europe. From the international markets, Asia with India, the USA and Eastern Europe are the focus of the sales activities. Investments are planned again in 2020 in our own production. This means that machines will be renewed, digitalisation will be further expanded and employee qualifications enhanced. AMF also wants to maintain the training quota of ten percent of its employees. "In this way, we want to return to the path of growth with optimism, courage and strategy," concludes Maier.