We are expanding our premises in Wolfach and are still looking for colleagues who are just as crazy about construction machinery as we are!
Latest news
Expansion of the company premises and new building
Wolfach, 31.01.2023. ECHLE Hartstahl GmbH was founded in Wolfach in 1994 and has since developed into a medium-sized company with around 70 employees. The company is a partner for manufacturers, dealers and end customers when intelligent, customized solutions for construction machinery are required. The company specializes in repairs, attachment tools, protective equipment, in particular patented cab protection superstructures (FOPS) and cylinder guards, special constructions for construction machinery, including innovative electrification. The company is now expanding its premises in Wolfach by purchasing a neighboring property.
“We started in 1994 with just a few employees in Schmelzengrün – when I look at our team of around 70 people today, I think we’ve done a lot of things right,” says Lothar Echle, founder and managing partner of ECHLE Hartstahl. “And the great thing is that we work in an industry where there is a lot of passion involved. Whether it’s the team, the end customers or the manufacturers. There are people all over the world who are just as crazy about construction machinery as we are at ECHLE.”
In 2007, one year after the purchase of the former Sum sheet metal workshop, ECHLE moved to Untere Zinne, where its headquarters are still located today. In the years that followed, the building was repeatedly extended and expanded as long as it was possible and sufficient space was available. When the information leaked out that S&G would be closing its branch in Wolfach at the end of 2022, it was clear that action had to be taken quickly. “Construction machinery needs space, and in the long term an additional expansion of the current 16,000 m² site was unavoidable. The big question was where we could expand. The opportunity to do this in the immediate vicinity was the ideal solution,” says Florian Kappes, Managing Director of ECHLE Hartstahl GmbH.
The construction plans for the new plant site are still underway, but work is due to start as soon as possible. The additional space will mainly be used for the electrification of the construction machinery. An exhibition area will also be set up where interested parties can view a selection of products such as attachments (e.g. excavator buckets) and cabs with protective superstructures. An assembly hall for electric machines is being rebuilt, as this trend has long been strongly noticeable at ECHLE: the first machine at ECHLE was converted to electric operation back in 2010. Demand has increased significantly since 2014, and ECHLE can now supply well-known construction machinery manufacturers in this area. The specialists from Wolfach offer the complete program, from technical development and the construction of prototypes to the production of entire small series.
“The order situation for 2024 is already very good, especially in the field of electrification. We are therefore always on the lookout for passionate mechanics and design engineers,” emphasizes Kappes. The company also offers apprenticeships in six professions, including agricultural and construction machinery mechatronics technician, technical product designer and cutting machine operator.
Picture: left Florian Kappes, Managing Director, right Lothar Echle, founder and Managing Partner
Article in the Schwarzwälder Bote
