Max Schlötter GmbH & Co KG, the specialist for electroplating specialty chemicals and plant technology, welcomed Dr. Franziska Brantner, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and other guests from federal and local politics to the company headquarters in Geislingen an der Steige.
During the tour of the hidden champion's research and development department, the delegation was given in-depth insights into current developments in coating systems in the areas of PCB technology/electronics and efforts to support the hydrogen economy. Schlötter is a partner in the H2Giga project funded by the federal government and is active in several sub-projects. The tour also included the facilities in the technical center. This is where processes are further developed until they are ready for series production, and small series can also be produced for customers. Schlötter's products are used all over the world, and the medium-sized family business also develops new processes for high-tech industries.
During the talks, Managing Director Dr. Michael Zöllinger was particularly keen to point out that Schlötter has been focusing on sustainability in every respect for years and is aiming for carbon neutrality without compensation by 2032. However, this requires not only the will, but also the economic strength. "Above all, we need less bureaucracy and more trust in us as a company, as well as planning security and reliability," added Dr. Stefanie Geldbach, Managing Partner. The endless back and forth regarding the regulation of chromium(VI) in surface technology was cited as a vivid example of maximum uncertainty.
In order to shape its personnel future, Schlötter will be training a total of 19 apprentices in Geislingen from September, as demographic change is also affecting the family business. Other focal points for the future include digitization as far as possible and the use of AI in development and business processes.
