99 per cent of companies in Germany belong to the SME sector, but very few have achieved what the Munk Group, based in Günzburg and Leipheim, can now celebrate. The company, managed by owner and CEO Ferdinand Munk in the fourth generation, is marking its 125th anniversary in 2024/25. In this interview, Ferdinand Munk and his son-in-law Alexander Werdich, also a Managing Director, reflect on the company’s successful history and look to the future.
Mr Munk, while many SMEs in Germany are unfortunately folding, you can look back on 125 years of success. How do you explain that?
Ferdinand Munk: If only it were that simple... I believe the Munk family as entrepreneurs has been fortunate in making many right decisions – and doing so over generations. Also, we are doers. When I think of my great-grandfather Leopold Munk: he originally founded a wheelwright business in 1899. Then he developed a fire brigade ladder, and shortly after, a garden ladder, which was awarded a prize. His son Ludwig, my grandfather, later travelled the Günzburg district on a motorbike, visiting every fire brigade to present this fantastic ladder. That’s how it all started.
There’s a sense of pride in your words. Was that part of the reason you decided, three years ago, to incorporate the Munk name into the company brand?
Munk: That probably played a role, but ultimately, this step was the logical conclusion of a strategic process we visibly implemented in 2021. With a more clearly differentiated corporate structure under the Munk Group umbrella, we sharpened our profile and can now fully leverage our potential in all business areas. It was also important to us as a family to send a clear signal: that we, the Munk family, are fully committed to this company and its employees. The fifth generation is already actively involved. We’re dedicated to “Made in Germany” and have invested over €30 million in the Günzburg and Leipheim sites over the past three years.
Alexander Werdich: We made this commitment visible in the company name and in our business units. Whether it’s Munk Günzburger Steigtechnik, Munk Rettungstechnik, Munk Service, or Munk Profiltechnik: we, the Munk family, stand behind it. And we live it. All of Ferdinand and Ruth Munk’s daughters are actively involved in the business, as are all the sons-in-law. We, particularly the younger generation, take responsibility for the company and its employees. As we often say: one family, one name, one mission.
Is that the secret to your company’s success?
Munk: It’s certainly a significant factor. Since bringing all our business areas under the Munk Group umbrella, we’ve been able to position ourselves even more strongly as an innovation leader in professional climbing technology and workplace safety. Equally important is our consistent focus on quality and staying closely connected to the market. We love collaborating with professionals to develop new solutions. Listening carefully and focusing on details in product development have earned us the trust of specialists over generations and established our reputation as a reliable partner for users. I’m incredibly proud of that.
That sounds like a solid philosophy...
Werdich: It truly works. We’ve weathered every crisis in recent years and continued to grow in all areas. We’ve expanded the Günzburg and Leipheim sites with investments of over €30 million, achieved consistently strong annual growth in turnover, and reached a new record with over 450 employees. That’s something to be proud of too.
Munk: The growth has been remarkable. When my wife Ruth and I started in Günzburg in 1982, the total site area was 7,000 m2. Now it’s over 200,000 m2, almost 30 times larger. Back in 1982, our annual turnover was 250,000 DM, roughly €125,000. For 2024, we expect a turnover of about €85 million. Reaching this scale is truly impressive. I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has accompanied our family on this journey and contributed so much to our success. They’ve made the Munk Group what it is today: a successful, healthy, family-owned SME, independent of external investors.
The Munk Group is synonymous with safety and quality made in Germany. How important is this image?
Munk: It’s extremely important and a cornerstone of our success. Our claim, “Safety. Made in Germany,” reflects our mission and promise to customers – a promise we’ve upheld for 125 years. People using our products must be able to rely on them because their health depends on it. After all, everyone wants to return home safe and sound after work or an operation.
Werdich: The beauty of it is: we always offer the right product, whether for tradespeople, industry, emergency and rescue services, or public institutions. Professionals increasingly trust the quality of our products and solutions because they deliver unmatched safety and added value every day. That’s why our dedication to “Made in Germany” remains unwavering. We were the first company in Germany, in 2010, to receive TÜV Nord certification for verified “Made in Germany” status.
Your journey has been upwards: from ladders to a vast range of climbing solutions, including stairs, platforms, scaffolding, roll containers, and custom constructions. Was this growth foreseeable?
Munk: Not to this extent. But think of it this way: just as the wheel is essential for mobility, the ladder is essential for anyone who wants to climb. It’s been that way for centuries. A ladder gives us a simple, safe means to ascend, change perspectives, overcome obstacles, and discover new things. Everyone uses a ladder at some point – the safer, the better.
Werdich: It’s astonishing: our standard range now includes over 2,500 products that represent workplace safety.
Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges, and how will you tackle them?
Munk: Our goal is to continue our success while adapting to changing conditions. A major challenge is the rapid development of digitalisation and artificial intelligence. We’re already integrating AI into our processes and leveraging its advantages for innovation. Staying at the forefront of technology and innovation in climbing solutions will remain crucial, ensuring we are seen as an attractive regional employer. In any industry, when it comes to safety made in Germany, the name Munk should remain at the top.
Werdich: We aim to be a company that takes responsibility – for society and the environment. Recent investments reflect this. On sunny days, we are already energy self-sufficient, generating 40 per cent of our electricity from our photovoltaic systems. A new woodchip heating system reduces our natural gas use by 40 per cent. Our transformation plan for maximum sustainability includes further measures, saving over 540 tonnes of CO2 annually.
Munk: As you can see, we’re proud of what we’ve achieved over the past 125 years and are excited to make the future even more successful.
