Bohle
Stages Bavarian Pig Roast to Celebrate new UK Headquarters
A
mega-celebration barbecue to mark the opening of Bohle’s new mega-warehouse
in Manchester was enjoyed by customers, suppliers, staff and a group from
Bohle’s parent company in Germany. The opening ceremony was conducted
by Ulrich Bohle, director and past chairman of the German company, and
the current chairman Alfons Donat.
To accommodate Bohle UK’s ever-increasing range of products for the
glass industry, its brand new, purpose-built warehouse and office complex
is conveniently located in north Manchester. The company has moved its
entire Oldham and London operations to the new site.
A spectacular Bohle blue fused glass commemorative plate was presented
to the UK company by Alfons Donat. In addition, the first consignment
from Bohle AG’s new automated warehouse to the new UK set up was
a mystery package delivered by hand as Alfons Donat brought the box from
Germany personally.
(Left)
Bohle’s new mega-warehouse to cope with its expanding range; (right)
Ulrich Bohle and Alfons Donat present Gary Dean with a blue fused glass
commemorative plate
Ulrich Bohle paid tribute to the Bohle UK team, in particular Managing
Director Gary Dean, who has been with the company since 1998. Bohle was
set up in Germany more than 80 years ago by Ulrich Bohle’s grandfather,
‘a one man show producing glass cutting wheels’. Ulrich Bohle
added, ‘His cutting wheels were of excellent quality at a good price,
and that was the reason he succeeded.’
The UK joint-venture began in 1991 and in 2000 it moved from the old Berlyne
premises into the Oldham Building.
'In 2002 we invested in the purchase of VV-Agencies, together with the
London Wembley building; now with the moving into this our new building
we can give up London and Oldham and concentrate our power here'.
He said that patience had been needed in the UK to begin with, but he
congratulated the UK company for developing the business at a significant
pace now, with about 35 team members managing an increasing turnover from
the 21,000sq ft building with 6,000 items and delivery of 150 to 200 shipments
daily.
(Left:)
Bohle has created an extensive Art Glass stockholding in its new premises,
it has also the space for machinery demonstrations, including glass edging,
uv glass bonding, Clear-Shield application and sandblasting. The machine
pictured (right) is the largest of the Bohle sandblasting range and proving
the most popular model in the UK.
He
told guests: ‘When we started our joint-venture in the British market
in 1991, the development was not as we had hoped. After having two daughters
in my family I wanted to have company daughters. Maybe it is similar with
company daughters as with human daughters. You need patience! To grow,
you have to feed, you have to give input, you have to educate, you have
to give money – lots of money – and you have always a risk.
Eventually, all your efforts will pay back. This seems to be exactly the
way we had to go in the UK.’
He also warned against complacency: Bohle had originally been founded
in Solingen, a city - like Sheffield in the UK - famous for its stainess
steel cutlery. However, the fortunes of Solingen have declined and its
star no longer shines as brightly, so 'We have to be excellent all the
time. We must have extraordinary competence in order to gain success'
Ulrich said.
The UK team’s efforts were also marked with the presentation of a
special card by Ulrich Bohle and Alfons Donat to Gary. It read, ‘We
are very pleased to see the new amazing Bohle Logistic Centre. We believe
that moving to this centralised location will not be only be a step but
a jump to meet further great success. Bohle stands for quality and tradition,
combined with innovation and customer relationship. This new base of Bohle
Ltd shows our own expectations in efficiency to everybody!
‘You, as our British Bohle Team, are asked to pick up all the opportunities
we have. Many thanks for all the work and efforts. We believe in a strong
future with you.’
The Bavarian-style pig roast, accompanied by
oom-pah music, was an enjoyable and appropriate way to mark the exciting
next stage of the UK company’s growth and expansion.