02.05.2017

There is always room for an automated machine

The Höfer family in Welzheim. Senior director Klaus Höfer with daughter Connie, granddaughter, and Annette Höfer

Peter Maniak, WINTERSTEIGER head of sales for Germany, reports on the trend towards the automation of ski servicing, even in the smallest of workshops.

 

Mr. Maniak, you are convinced that there is always room for an automated WINTERSTEIGER machine, even in the smallest workshop. Why is that?

Where there's a will, there's an automated machine! I currently have 2 customers, the Höfer family in Welzheim and the Pritzls in Aidenbach, who both went so far as to get the builders in to make sure they could install their automated ski servicing machines. One repurposed the garage and enlarged the door, while one partially tore down a supporting wall.

 

What is the motivation behind it, what drives these business owners?

Saying yes to an automated machine is a clear commitment to winter sport. Both business owners are fully committed in every area: a well-equipped workshop, specialized retail services, ski rental, test skis, skiing excursions, etc.

 

They have invested in an automated machine because ski servicing is an important aspect of their companies. By offering this service, they raise themselves above the competition and even attract customers from the towns and cities – both companies are away from the ski resorts and are based in small villages.

 

 



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Erwin Pritzl, Peter Maniak and Armin Pritzl

How is the situation looking overall: Can we already speak of a success?

Specialization is a leap in quality that brings success over the years – because a top-quality ski servicing center is the answer to online commerce and large chain stores. Both customers now offer an express service, meaning customers that have made long journeys wait for their skis and browse the store in the meantime. And for both, the investment has been a success story.

 

With the new Scout, WINTERSTEIGER has developed an extra small automated machine. How much smaller is the Scout than the 2-module Mercury for example?

The Scout stands right against the wall. All daily cleaning tasks and almost all maintenance work can be done from the front, meaning the customer maximizes every centimeter of space. This plays an important role with regards to the cost of premises, particularly considering the ski servicing workshop is only operational for 5 to 6 months of the year. In general, workshops are as small as possible, and so often turn out to be too small. That's where the Scout comes in: maximum precision in the smallest space.