Press release - Supply Chain Automation
Westfalia points the way ahead for the future: A new generation takes over with new management and shareholder structure
After 39 years one of the great ones leaves the logistics stage: Ulrich Upmeyer, founder and longstanding managing director of the Westfalia Group of companies, retires. Matthias Upmeyer leads the owner-managed company into the second generation.
Since its establishment in 1971 Ulrich Upmeyer has successfully directed the business of Westfalia. With vision and a sense for innovations he grew the medium-sized company, with its headquarters in Borgholzhausen, into one of the leading suppliers of automated logistics solutions. The breakthrough was achieved at the beginning of the 80s. The development of the Satellite® storage system has formed the company’s history and was taken note of on a global scale within the industry. Since then this system has been used worldwide in the most diverse sectors. Founder Ulrich Upmeyer retires at the age of 66 and hands the management of Westfalia to his son Matthias Upmeyer and Andreas Gartemann.
In order to set the company on solid and sustainable ground in this succession, Ulrich Upmeyer sold his share to a regional entrepreneur. Since the beginning of the year, Siegbert Wortmann, founder and CEO of Wortmann AG in Hüllhorst, has been the new majority shareholder of the Westfalia Group of companies. This strengthens the headquarters in Borgholzhausen in the long term. „I am delighted that we could win Mr. Wortmann as an indigenous, successful entrepreneur from this region to Westfalia“, says company founder Ulrich Upmeyer. Wortmann AG is Germany’s most successful producer of PCs (store brand Terra) and servers, with an notable increase of 12% in sales predicted in 2009 despite the economical crisis. Siegbert Wortmann was awarded „Entrepreneur of the year East Westphalia“ in 2001 and received the Federal Cross of Merit in 2007.
The other shares are held by Matthias Upmeyer and Andreas Gartemann who have jointly assumed management responsibilities of the Westfalia Group. After his business studies, with majors in business administration and logistics at University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück, and domestic and international jobs, Matthias Upmeyer (38) joined the company in 2001. Initially he was responsible for export sales and managed the business unit for automated small part storage systems. Afterwards he took over the sales responsibility for the core business of the Westfalia Group of companies. Andreas Gartemann (37) studied business administration with majors in marketing, production and IT at University of Osnabrück. In 1999 he started his career within the company where he quickly took over the responsibility for marketing and communications. His longstanding counsel regarding the company’s development commended him for the position of the General Manager.
In the realignment of the management structure, Mr. Wortmann also takes over the chairmanship of the newly found advisory board. Further members of the advisory board represent the legal and business professions.
The Westfalia Group of companies is optimistic regarding 2010. „ In 2010, as well as in 2009 we see a positive development concerning the order situation in comparison to the overall economy “, says Matthias Upmeyer. Andreas Gartemann adds: „We are happy about the order volume we have already received. It allows Westfalia to operate at full capacity not only on a short term, but also in the medium term.“
About Westfalia
Westfalia is a specialist for supply chain automation. The company plans, produces and installs automatic warehousing, conveying and order-picking systems (e.g., high-bay warehouses). Automation of the entire supply chain includes the control and IT connection of systems to logistics software such as the company’s own Savanna.net. Westfalia also links in-house and transport logistics (e.g., by means of automatic loading and unloading systems for trucks, such as SpeedLoaders, or automatic load securing systems such as AirProtect). Maintenance, modernisation and extension of systems guarantee long-term customer partnerships. In its over 35-year history, Westfalia has implemented more than 650 automated logistics systems worldwide. The headquarters of the proprietor-managed family business are located in Borgholzhausen between Bielefeld and Osnabrück. Approximately 300 employees work at the plants in Europe and the USA. Further information:
www.westfaliaeurope.com, www.savanna.com, www.westfaliacarpark.com
Westfalia Logistics Solutions GmbH & Co. KG
Corporate Press Office – Svenja Becker
E-Mail: s.becker[at]WestfaliaEurope.com
Tel. +49 (0)5425 808 908 - Fax +49 (0) 5425 808 901
Industriestraße 11 – 33829 Borgholzhausen – Germany
