Business year 2015 running very satisfactorily

As a specialist for the treatment of ligneous biomasses, JENZ place great value on innovative further developments - changed basic conditions in the energy revolution result in reserved outlook for 2016

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In 2015, JENZ GmbH will achieve its plans and possibly even exceed them. However, managing partner Uwe Hempen-Hermeier views the current developments in the industry with mixed feelings: "Unfortunately one has to say that the basic conditions for the development of renewable energies have deteriorated". The new REL, which was introduced on 01.08.2014, has considerably inhibited growth in the biogas industry and power generation from ligneous biomasses.

On top of this there is the deterioration of the oil price since the second quarter of the year, which means that competition with fossil fuels has been considerably weakened. What is now the third devaluation of the rouble within one year has also undermined business. However, the market expert is still convinced that "our slogan of 'Biomass energy for the future' is still as up-to-date as ever. The current wave of refugees is just a foretaste of what will come when people start having to leave their homes due to the climate changes. There is simply no way of avoiding usage of renewable energies". This means that there is only one strategy for JENZ GmbH: "We have to continue to think innovatively in order to give added value to our customers and be able to process ligneous biomasses as profitably as possible."

The most important new development of the last few years is the hydraulic blower, which was presented for the first time at the Agritechncia 2013. The experience gained in practice since this point has been consistently positive. "In a time of overflowing material storage and tightening up of the emission requirements, woodchipping quality is one of the more central of our customer's issues" said Mr Hempen-Hermeier. The hydraulic blower, which can be infinitely varied, results in a considerably gentler material outfeed than is possible using mechanical blowers. Further optimisations to be presented at this year's Agritechnica include a new blower propeller and a new delivery pipe which have a positive effect on the quality of the woodchippings. The eccentric arrangement of the blower on the chipper truck results and additional logistic advantages so that loading over the cab is possible both to the front and to the rear. The issue of logistics also plays a central role in the new development of the Cobra machines. The focus is on an innovative HGV with a rotating driver's cab.

Innovative projects require good basic conditions. Targeted investments were made for this purpose over 2015. A new surface treatment centre with paintshop and sandblasting units has been constructed at the headquarters in Petershagen. "We are now able to deal with sandblasting, painting and drying completely within our own works" explained Mr Hempen-Hermeier. "We have been able to increase our production depth and have become more flexible as a result". In addition to this, a large washing plant for service and preparation of used machines has been built. And, for the first time, the company has invested abroad. A representative base for sales, service and repairs has been built at the JENZ Österreich GmbH headquarters in Kasten. In addition to a workshop on the spare parts warehouse, there is also now a small administrative area and training facilities in addition to open spaces for trial runs. This investment was intended to secure the location in central Europe in the long term.

The family company, which is now being managed by the third generation of the founding family, has become a specialist in the heavy mobile wood shredder sector. Around 190 staff are currently employed, of whom 16 are apprentices or dual students. Considerable emphasis is placed on customer proximity and good service. Supported by a worldwide network of qualified dealers, more than 55% of the machines are exported. JENZ continues to be successful in Southeast Asia and, despite the downturn which has occurred, satisfactory business was also achieved in Eastern Europe. The company is well set-up for direct sales in German-speaking countries with five service bases.

Mr Hempen-Hermeier is still looking optimistically to the future despite market developments not turning out simply. "In comparison to the last few years, the forecasts are a little restrained due to the downturn in basic conditions. Despite this, we consider ourselves well and solidly set up for the coming years".