Dr. Hendrik Hoppenstedt, Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor and Member of the German Bundestag, visited Hartmann Valves GmbH at its founding location in Burgdorf-Ehlershausen on June 21, 2019. He was received by Werner Hartmann, who together with his brothers Christian and Martin manages the family business in its third generation, which today employs 160 people. As promised at the award ceremony in January, Dr. Hoppenstedt wanted to experience firsthand what distinguishes the “Family Entrepreneur of the Year” and take suggestions from the “Hidden Champion” back to Berlin.
The Minister of State was open-minded and showed great interest as the technology and application areas of Hartmann solutions were explained to him. In particular, various types of energy storage were discussed, including innovative processes related to renewable energies such as power-to-gas or hydrogen storage in caverns. As a pioneer, Hartmann has been active in deep geothermal energy for over 30 years and is a supplier to Stadtwerke München, which aims to generate 100% of its district heating from renewable energies by 2040. During the tour of the production facility, Dr. Hoppenstedt was impressed by the state-of-the-art technology in this traditional company, which has been developing and manufacturing highly innovative specialty valves and wellheads for 70 years. Hartmann employees demonstrated the 100% quality control using a 3D measuring arm and the professional lapping of ball and seat rings – the secret to success of the purely metallic sealing system. “To secure our innovation leadership in the industry and keep Germany competitive as a business location, it is increasingly important that we can act quickly and flexibly,” emphasizes Managing Director Werner Hartmann.
Additional topics included the reduction of bureaucracy promoted by the Minister of State, support in the research sector, and long-term expansion prospects for the growing company, which is based in Ehlershausen and Celle. Regarding the shortage of skilled workers, discussions also addressed how to inspire young people for industrial and technical professions, make education policy more effective, and further advance the compatibility of work and family life. In this regard, both employers and policymakers are called upon to flexibly enable the widest variety of life and work models, while society must also respect the models chosen, Werner Hartmann and Dr. Hendrik Hoppenstedt agreed.
The visit was accompanied by committed local party representatives: Sonya Heyna, Deputy Mayor of Ramlingen-Ehlershausen and CDU faction leader in the Ehlershausen local council, as well as Oliver Sieke and Robert Apel, councilors in Burgdorf and members of the Ehlershausen local council.
