Juergen Rotzler
CEO, ROTZLER Group
Rotzler, a German manufacturer with over a century of experience, has been a world market leader in hydraulic winches and winch systems. Their winches are known for their adaptability, reliability, and safety, meeting the demands of various industries – from fire trucks and cranes to drilling rigs and military vehicles. Rotzler’s winches are compact for easy integration and meet the highest safety standards. Rotzler is expanding its global footprints and the company will be showcasing its best at Eurosatory 2024. “Regarding the European market, it holds significant importance for Rotzler. With our extensive expertise and expanded product portfolio, our aim is not only to serve as suppliers but to establish ourselves as strategic partners for OEMs and armies,” said Juergen Rotzler, CEO, Rotzler Group. In an interview with Arabian Defence, he talks about the company’s success journey, latest operations, expansion plans etc.
Could you give an overview of Rotzler´s history and its evolution in the field of winch and lifting technology?
Rotzler was founded more than 100 years ago and is controlled by the 3rd generation now. The company started as a blacksmith workshop in the village of Steinen, in the South-west part of Germany, where the headquarters is still located. Over the years Rotzler began the production of farming equipment, especially from the 1960s onwards, until winches became its main business in the early 1990s mainly in Europe. The later years saw Rotzler’s operations going more global, with the company now having footprints in Canada, India, South Korea, and the United States. Today Rotzler provides winches around the world for various crane applications, recovery vehicles, and defence applications.
What makes Rotzler unique compared to other companies in the industry, and what are its key strengths and competitive advantages?
What sets Rotzler apart in the industry is our focus on meeting and exceeding customer needs. Unlike some competitors who prioritise technical details over the application, we believe that understanding our customers’ requirements and delivering solutions that precisely address those needs is paramount.
Our unique approach places the application at the forefront of everything we do. We invest significant time and resources into thoroughly understanding our customers’ challenges, goals, and preferences, allowing us to tailor our products and services to their specific requirements. Our commitment to prioritising application over technical details by deeply understanding the application context, make us able to develop cutting-edge technologies and solutions that precisely meet our customers’ needs and beyond. Our key strengths lie in our ability to quickly adapt to evolving customer demands, our agility in customising solutions, and our relentless pursuit of innovation to stay ahead of the curve. These strengths, combined with our customer-centric approach, give us a competitive advantage in the market, allowing us to consistently deliver value and maintain leadership in our industry.
Could you elaborate on some of Rotzler´s flagship products and innovations in winch and lifting technology in the defence sector?
When you think of Rotzler, the name synonymous with unmatched safety, flexibility, and reliability in the industry is the TREIBMATIC winch—an unparalleled concept that has set the standard, often imitated but never replicated successfully. It remains the top choice among professionals and specialists in the recovery vehicle field. Additionally, Rotzler’s product lines, the TARVOS pulling winches and the TITAN hoisting winches, continue to embody the company’s innovative and customer-centric ethos.
However, I’d like to draw attention to the latest addition to Rotzler’s product arsenal: the ROTZLER APEX Control System Platform. Representing our foray into electronics and software, this comprehensive control system is poised to redefine industry standards.
This strategic shift reflects our dedication to meeting evolving customer needs and leveraging new technologies. We anticipate the APEX Control System Platform to revolutionise defence logistics, solidifying Rotzler’s position as a pioneer in the field.
How does Rotzler ensure quality and reliability of its products, particularly in demanding environments such as defence, recovery and heavy-duty applications?
At Rotzler, ensuring the quality and reliability of our products, especially in demanding environments like defence, recovery, and heavy-duty applications, is fundamental to our approach that is deeply rooted in the renowned German tradition of precision engineering and uncompromising quality standards. We adhere to a rigid and solid approach, meticulously matching requirements without taking shortcuts. Each product undergoes rigorous testing at every stage of development to ensure it meets our stringent quality criteria. This internal rule mandates testing of each requirement before declaring compliance, ensuring that our products consistently deliver exceptional performance and reliability in even the most challenging conditions. Furthermore, we take pride in our bespoke German quality standard, which is synonymous with durability, longevity, and uncompromising excellence. This commitment to quality permeates every aspect of our operations, from design and manufacturing to testing and customer support. In demanding environments such as defence, recovery, and heavy-duty applications, customers rely on our products to perform flawlessly under pressure.
Could you share insights into Rotzler´s global presence and its partnerships with clients and industries around the world? How strong are the export operations?
Rotzler maintains a robust global presence with entities strategically located in key regions worldwide. This ensures proximity to our clients’ organisations, allowing us to cultivate strong partnerships built on mutual understanding and collaboration.
Our approach is centred around integrating with our clients’ teams, and aligning our thinking, communication, and understanding with theirs. By being situated close to our clients, we are better equipped to comprehend their unique needs and challenges, enabling us to provide tailored solutions that address their specific requirements. At our headquarter in Germany, we leverage the insights gathered from our global operations to develop solutions that meet both local and international expectations. This process involves synthesising local expertise with worldwide inputs, resulting in innovative solutions that are not only effective in local contexts but also relevant on a global scale.
Our export operations are a testament to the strength of our global network and partnerships. Through our entities located strategically around the world, we can efficiently deliver our products and services to clients across various industries and regions, further solidifying our position as a trusted partner in the global market.
How does Rotzler approach sustainability and environmental responsibility in its manufacturing processes and product design?
At Rotzler, we deeply understand the critical importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in today’s business landscape. Our commitment to environmental, social, and governance principles is embedded in every aspect of our operations, with a strong emphasis on efficiency from design to production. We have implemented a comprehensive sustainability strategy that not only focuses on minimising our environmental footprint but also emphasizes maximizing efficiency throughout our processes.
This strategy includes measures such as reducing energy consumption, optimising resource usage, and minimising waste generation at every stage of manufacturing. By prioritising efficiency in our design and production processes, we not only minimise our environmental impact but also enhance our overall sustainability performance. Additionally, we actively engage with stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, & local communities, to foster a culture of sustainability and continuous improvement. We firmly believe that by integrating sustainability and efficiency into our core business practices, we can create long-term value for our company, our stakeholders, & the planet. Our commitment to sustainability & environmental responsibility is unwavering, & we are dedicated to continuously enhancing our efforts to contribute positively to the world around us.
What are the highlights of Rotzler´s participation in Eurosatory 2024? How do you look at the European market for Rotzler´s business?
At Eurosatory 2024, Rotzler will unveil the highly anticipated ROTZLER APEX Control System Platform, marking its premiere with a dedicated event. Our knowledgeable team will be on hand to showcase the system’s features and advantages to OEMs and users of recovery and special-purpose vehicles.
Regarding the European market, it holds significant importance for Rotzler. With our extensive expertise and expanded product portfolio, our aim is not only to serve as suppliers but to establish ourselves as strategic partners for OEMs and armies. We are committed to collaborating closely with our partners in defining requirements and developing technical solutions that effectively address their needs.
