Goodbye 2022.
Christmas is near - we say thank you and goodbye 2022
As every year, the Christmas decorations started very early. The mild and beautiful autumn weather, which still lured us on sunny walks and long hikes in the mountains in November, didn’t really help us get into the festive mood. Now, however, Christmas is just around the corner, and it is time for us to say goodbye to a successful, albeit challenging, 2022.
Review 2022
In 2022, we were able to realise wonderful and sometimes challenging projects together with our customers, as you could read in our blogs throughout the year. In addition, we have continuously supplemented our website with interesting information about innovations and our great passion, the processing of solid wood. New acquisitions and succession arrangements were made, and we can now look back on a successful, albeit once again challenging, year.
New acquisitions and developments
One of the biggest projects in 2022 was to replace the existing extraction and filter system with a new, state-of-the-art system. This complies with current fire and explosion regulations, is more energy efficient and protects the health of our employees even better than before thanks to its improved extraction performance.
Thanks to our ongoing commitment to occupational health and safety, we fortunately had very few absences due to minor accidents and illnesses. We have also invested in two new cutting machines (cross-cut saw and longitudinal saw), which can be put into operation at the beginning of 2023.
In the field of CNC, we conducted a complete refit of the electronic and some mechanical components on the CR 27 1 Tandem machine.
Our machines are built to last and are therefore worth a general revision of this kind and ensure the high precision often required for the future.
In addition, many hours were spent on the introduction and further development of our Lean Management. After about one and a half years, the results are encouraging. This motivates us to continue working intensively in the coming year to use resources sensibly and to be able to increase productivity with consistently high quality. Another milestone was the sale of our subsidiary WEKOS AG, which can now realise its full potential under new management.
Challenges and opportunities
Challenges were once again great in 2022. For one thing, we had to cope with the increase in wood prices, especially for the popular and most common wood species such as oak and American walnut. The effects of the pandemic also remained palpable. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, inflation, energy price increases and the resulting consequences are presenting many KMUs with massive challenges.
Leadership qualities are more important than ever to stay on track and to recognise and avoid difficulties in time. However, difficult times also always offer opportunities. We gather useful experiences and are challenged to think and act outside the box.
Here is to a good and successful 2023
Price developments in all sectors and global events will certainly keep us on our toes in 2023 and pose new challenges. We are required to face them, to remain flexible and to recognise opportunities. We look forward to realising new and interesting projects together with you, our esteemed customers, partners, and employees. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the excellent cooperation and wish you and your families a wonderful festive season and all the best and much success for the coming year.
Thomas von Rickenbach
Owner and Managing Director
