Since May this year, the Roto production-plant in Bad Mergentheim may officially call itself “Germany’s Best Factory”. The main factory of the roof and solar technology division of the Roto group of companies came out on top of the “Industrial Excellence Award”, probably the most challenging and renowned international industry competition.
Every year, the ‘WHU’ – Otto Beisheim School of management - and the ‘INSEAD’, two of the most well-known élite schools for international top managers, together with the distinguished German economic magazine ‘WirtschaftsWoche’ select exemplary and outstanding production-plants and service companies in Europe. Over the past years the top-class expert jury chose renowned companies such as BMW, Siemens or Fujitsu.

The workforce‘s merit
“You’re now playing in the Champions League” was how Prof. Dr. Arnd Huchzermeier, academic director of the WHU, commented on the decision of the science and business press committee. For the first time in the fifteen year old history of the competition, Roto was the first company to be chosen in the building material industry. “We feel honoured with this award and assured in our strategic orientation” Erich Rosenkranz, Roto Building Elements CEO. Erich Rosenkranz went on to say that the main merit for the award is undoubtedly down to the company’s employees. The extraordinary high level of identification with the company and the workforce’s ongoing commitment to constantly improve their own tasks was one of the decisive factors for the jury’s decision. Mr. Dieter Dürand, juror and ‘WirtschaftsWoche’ magazine editor was also not sparing with praise for the Roto workforce: “We have never experienced such employee enthusiasm and motivation and such a strong will to improve every day”.

Crystal-clear strategic orientation – synchronous production
Apart from the extraordinary commitment of the “Roto family”, the thirteen-member committee was also convinced by the “crystal-clear strategic orientation” of the traditional company based in the Tauber Valley. Roto was able to score according to Dieter Dürand with the focus on tangible customer benefit, the orientation of the portfolio on premium quality and commitment in the future-oriented solar technology business area. The management decision to withdraw from the DIY business segment and to concentrate consistently on the partnership with the roofing trade and specialised dealers was also evaluated very positively. This was a decision that not only contributed to Roto holding its ground in a difficult market environment, but also helping to continuously gain market shares. A highly efficient, state-of-the-art synchronous production system with short throughput times, low stock levels and low capital commitment did the rest to convince the jury. The award will be officially presented on the 8th of September in Duesseldorf, where the European overall winner of the competition will also be selected. Roto is considered to be a promising candidate and has a real chance of also reaching one of the top ranks at international level. “First and foremost we are naturally satisfied and delighted to bring the title of ‘Germany’s Best Factory’ to the Tauber Valley” Erich Rosenkranz, Roto Building Elements CEO.