News from the FABRI Group

Find out about the latest developments and activities of the FABRI Group. We will keep you up to date on new partnerships, cooperations, current projects and other news.

Insight

FABRI continues to expand the northern German market with the GATZKE FREUDENBERG Group

30.11.2023

The GATZKE FREUDENBERG Group consists of the two companies Freudenberg GmbH & Co. KG and Gatzke Küchen- und Hausgeräte GmbH, which are based in Stade (Lower Saxony). The strengths of the traditional companies with over 80 years of market experience and 82 employees are based on three pillars: SPACE, ELECTRIC and LIGHT. The Group not only stands for high-quality products, but also provides all relevant services from a single source.

Insight

Kunz + Strobel Elektrotechnik GmbH joins FABRI Group

26.10.2023

With KUNZ + STROBEL Elektrotechnik GmbH from Kulmbach in Upper Franconia, the FABRI Group has expanded to include a successful specialist in electrical services. “KUNZ + STROBEL stands for first-class quality and safety — quality based on decades of experience and safety through continuous innovation. We are delighted to welcome such a focused and modern electrical engineering and automation company to the FABRI Group,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI. The two founders, Lothar Strobel and Andreas Kunz, have been running the company since it was founded in 1998 with great commitment and vision. That's why they looked for a strong partner early on to secure the company's long-term future. Andreas Kunz explains: “With FABRI, we have found exactly the right format and the right people. We can contribute our expertise to this group and benefit from the Group's strengths at the same time.” Lothar Strobel adds: “Together, we want to further develop and expand our first-class electrical engineering services in order to meet customer requirements.” KUNZ + STROBEL Elektrotechnik GmbH offers a wide range of electrical engineering services in the areas of building technology, electrical installation, automation technology, network technology and switchgear construction. With decades of experience, they have developed into experts in the field of electrical engineering and are the largest provider for this in the district of Kulmbach. Commercial customers, public clients and the construction industry can always rely on the comprehensive expertise and extensive range of services offered by qualified employees.

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Hüfner GmbH & Co. KG strengthens FABRI in the area of air conditioning technology

28.09.2023

Hüfner GmbH & Co. KG, a renowned full-service provider in the area of air-conditioning technology from Heusenstamm in Hesse, is now part of the FABRI Group. “With Hüfner, we have been able to attract a successful specialist in air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation technology to FABRI,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI. “Andreas Hüfner and his team have been a fixture in the Rhine-Main region for decades. The team stands for first-class quality and excellent service from a single source and has earned an excellent reputation over the years. We warmly welcome the entire Hüfner team to the FABRI Group and look forward to our future together.” “Running a successful family business means taking responsibility at all times and always keeping an eye on the long-term direction. For me, early succession planning is also part of this so that our employees and customers have a secure perspective. With FABRI, we have found just the right, powerful partner for our path into the future,” says managing director Andreas Hüfner. “We were particularly impressed that FABRI focused on people and the company right from the start. We are now looking forward to further developing the company together over the next few years.” The second-generation family business has stood for first-class air conditioning, refrigeration and ventilation technology for over 50 years. With the “6-star climate” promise, the team stands for complete service from a single source, tailor-made solutions, future-oriented technologies and the highest quality. The range of services ranges from expert advice and planning of technical systems to their construction and installation to service and maintenance. With almost 30 employees, including 6 trainees, Hüfner mainly serves commercial customers. The company is certified by EcoStep by the Verband Deutscher Kälte-Klima-Fachbetriebe e.V. and therefore stands for high standards of quality, safety and education and training.

Insight

Cooperation in Poland

25.07.2023

FABRI signed a cooperation agreement with ELEM from Poland today, on 25.07.2023, in Warsaw, which includes and defines the personnel support of the FABRI Group from ELEM employees. ELEM is based in eastern Poland, in Bialystok, and is active in the field of electrical installations. The company was founded in 2011 by the two managing directors, Emil Busiewicz and Maciej Chmielewski, and currently employs around 80 people. Introductions and initial discussions took place back in December 2021. Since then, there have been various meetings in Poland and Germany, many personal discussions have taken place and the exchange of expertise has also begun. The strategic wish of both managing partners of ELEM is to be able to work and cooperate with a German, supra-regional craft group. On the one hand, they generate sustainable growth for their company and, on the other hand, they increase the professional quality and training of their employees through this international orientation. In the 4th quarter of 2022, the FABRI Group launched the first pilot project with ELEM. In cooperation with Lörcks GmbH, a major contract in the area of electrical installation was successfully completed in a Cologne school. Following this, further contracts have been started and at least 9 joint projects will be finalized by the end of 2023. The execution of the work was characterized by a very high standard of quality and the collaboration was very pleasant, almost collegial. “Based on this experience, we have decided to enter into a strategic cooperation with ELEM,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI. “We are thus offering all our companies the opportunity to significantly expand their capacities, to operate more flexibly and nationally, and we also want to proactively support our companies in recruiting employees.” As the central contact and coordinator for ELEM, Daniel Lörcks will be responsible as an operational link within the FABRI Group. We are delighted to welcome this company to the FABRI Group as part of a cooperation agreement. We are deeply convinced that not only the professional but also the human component provides a great basis for the future development of both companies.

Insight

First FABRI plant in Rhineland-Palatinate — Hilgers GmbH & Co KG

17.07.2023

With Hilgers GmbH & Co KG from Daun in the Vulkaneifel region, the FABRI Group is expanding to include an established and successful sanitary, heating and air-conditioning company from Rhineland-Palatinate. The purchase contract was notarized in Cologne on Monday, July 17, 2023. “We are pleased to announce the strengthening of environmentally oriented heating systems and complete bathrooms and warmly welcome Hilgers and its employees to the FABRI Group,” says Markus Zübert, CEO of FABRI, “With this acquisition, we have come a step closer to our medium-term orientation — FABRI wants to be represented in all federal states.” “With FABRI, I have found the perfect partner for the future of my business.” explains managing director Dieter Hilgers. “Together, we can set the course for a secure future for our employees and customers.” Dieter Hilgers will remain with the company as managing director. In the coming months, with the support of FABRI, he will look for a suitable successor and incorporate it into operational management. Daniel Lörcks, operational interface of the FABRI Group, is very confident: “The technical expertise of Hilgers and the geographical proximity to some of our companies also gives us the opportunity to carry out comprehensive projects with several FABRI companies.” Hilgers GmbH & Co KG dates back to 1869 and is a fourth-generation family business that specializes in air-conditioning energy concepts and wellness bathrooms. Customers are served nationwide within a radius of around 100 km from the company headquarters — they operate as far as Luxembourg. Together with the management, 18 motivated employees form a well-coordinated team. Great emphasis has always been placed on good education and training as well as an appreciative and team-oriented working environment.

Insight

Changes in the Supervisory Board of FABRI AG

12.06.2023

At the annual general meeting of FABRI AG on 12.06.2023, Jörg Schröder was proposed as a new member of the Supervisory Board and elected unanimously. The previous Chairman of the Supervisory Board Achim Weick left the FABRI Supervisory Board at his own behest. However, he will continue to support FABRI's development as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at the parent company Waag & Zübert Value AG. Since 2019, Jörg Schröder has been Chief Financial Officer of publicly traded adesso SE, a fast-growing IT service provider with over 8,500 employees at 62 locations. adesso's significant double-digit organic growth has been boosted by acquisitions in recent years. “When I was asked if I could imagine a supervisory board position at FABRI, I was immediately impressed,” says Jörg Schröder. “There are many similarities between adesso and FABRI: it is a “people's business”, corporate management is characterized by a high degree of decentralization, and acquisitions play an important role. For this reason, I was immediately able to identify with FABRI's business model. I am very much looking forward to contributing my expertise and accompanying the company in its further growth strategy.” The new Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FABRI AG, Dr. Gerson Link, affirms: “We are excited about the new impetus that Jörg Schröder will bring with his expertise and look forward to future cooperation. At the same time, we would like to sincerely thank Achim Weick for his work on the FABRI Supervisory Board. Achim has been Chairman of the Supervisory Board since its inception and is a key element in FABRI's growth from a “start-up” to a group with over 200 employees within two years. ”