125 years of Raab: With experience into the future
Neuwied, 15 May 2023 – This year, Joseph Raab GmbH & Cie. KG celebrates its 125th anniversary. At the anniversary event in Luckenau at the beginning of May, the history of the family business was looked back on and its stability and future viability were emphasised. In the meantime, the company has become part of the Raab Group, which with its brands Raab, KW and NET has established itself in the market as one of the leading suppliers of environmentally friendly and energy-efficient exhaust system solutions.
Numerous invited guests – including the owner family, the District Administrator of Burgenlandkreis, Götz Ulrich, and the Lord Mayor of Zeitz, Christian Thieme, as well as other guests from regional politics – were able to personally convince themselves of the company’s performance on 5 May. Managing Director Rolf Wagenfeld accordingly placed the motto “With experience into the future” above his address and the outlook for the next 25 years: “We have to adapt to the markets, face the changes. Today, we are in the process of automating processes to a great extent. We are investing in a new fully automated production line for pipe production, the use of robots and a new merchandise management system. This year and next year, we will invest several million euros to make the site fit for the future. And thus also to modernise and secure jobs.”
A look into the history
Raab was founded in Neuwied in 1898, initially with a focus on alluvial stones and cement. The product range changed over the decades to the current product portfolio: Stainless steel flue systems in every size – from chimneys for single room fireplaces such as the chimney or tiled stove to large commercial and industrial systems. In addition to high-quality stainless steel products, lightweight chimneys and chimney components complete the range, which is manufactured in Germany.
Through the purchase of Kutzner + Weber GmbH, the company became the Raab Group in 1997. At that time, Kutzner + Weber was already known for its flue gas components – such as flue gas dampers and draught regulators – which even then served to save energy and increase the efficiency of the heating system. In times of energy scarcity, they are more relevant today than ever. With the acquisition of NET – Neue Energie-Technik GmbH, the group was expanded to its current size in 2015. NET is known for heat recovery in commercial and industrial applications through its various heat exchangers and steam condensers. Since its expansion into the Raab Group, the company has been able to offer complete solutions from a single source.
Close to customers and partners
The Raab Group continues to develop new components that meet the demands of modern exhaust technology. Whether fine dust separators, silencers or chimney fans, to name just a few of the products in the portfolio – all of them focus on reducing emissions, increasing efficiency and improving the safety of combustion plants. With the development of around 40 products over the last 25 years, the Raab Group is a reliable partner and supplier to the trade. Raab also works with numerous well-known companies as an OEM supplier.
The Luckenau site
The Luckenau site near Leipzig shows how the company can adapt to change. More than 30 years ago, they started with a small team that faced the challenges there after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In the meantime, the location is the largest in the company with the production and logistics centre as well as the majority of the administration. “There are many framework conditions outside of a company that concern small and medium-sized businesses. At the moment, we are concerned with the lack of skilled workers, demographic change and high energy costs,” says Alexander Root, authorised signatory and head of sales/marketing. “These are challenges that we have to face. They can only be overcome through continuous development. We see ourselves on the right path here.” The big celebration of the 125th anniversary is therefore linked with a view to a successful future.
Weitere Informationen über die breite Palette von Abgaslösungen finden Sie unter www.raab-gruppe.de.
Michael Heraeus, shareholder and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Raab Group (right), cut the birthday cake. With them: Rolf Wagenfeld (centre) and Alexander Root (left).
