Short-term deadlines
Long-term thinking

Company

The Königswinter rolling mill has been an independent company since 2010 and has been growing steadily since then. Originally it belonged to the Lemmerz works, which were founded in 1919 and produced universal plate and circular blanks for wheel manufacture.

The Königswinter rolling mill has been an independent company since 2010 and has been growing steadily since then. Originally it belonged to the Lemmerz works, which were founded in 1919 and produced universal plate and circular blanks for wheel manufacture.

The rolling mill came into being in the 1950’s. As procuring primary material was difficult after the 2nd world war, Paul Lemmerz, who was the second generation to manage the Lemmerz works, decided to build a new rolling mill nearby. In order to maintain wheel production, he erected Europe‘s smallest and most modern rolling mill on the site of the Longenburg at the foot of the Drachenfels, an area that had been badly destroyed during the war. The foundation stone of today’s WW-K had been laid.

The Lemmerz works changed hands during the following decades. The market changed and this required prioritising the core business of wheel production – having its own rolling mill was no longer cost-effective. The rolling mill was depreciated. Jobs were in jeopardy. Until it established itself independently and reinvented itself: Since the production area became independent in the summer of 2010, the rolling mill has traded under the name WW-K, and as an independent company, has been constantly expanding its range.

From an internal production area to an independent company – the path that the rolling mill in Königswinter has travelled since its construction has been long and varied. But there is one constant amid all the changes: The idea of a rolling mill that grows with its customers‘ requirements. That brings total commitment to the customers‘ independence. And that makes dealing with employees and customers on a partnership basis the guiding principle of the business.

This idea is as modern today as it was on the first day of operation. And just like then, today it also requires total commitment to make it make it come to life, fresh every day, at every single workplace.

Anyone who has the ability to reinvent themselves, is no nine-day wonder. Sustainable business is not a hollow phrase for us but the basis of our success. We are convinced that profitability, social responsibility and environmental protection form an inseparable unity. In order to preserve our livelihood for future generations as well, we take due consideration for all three factors when making our business decisions. For us this means that we are neither blind to the expertise of our employees and their knowledge which has evolved over time, nor do we waste raw materials. As a medium-sized enterprise we cannot afford and we do not want to afford short-term thinking purely in terms of profit. It has been shown again and again throughout decades of business activity that dealing considerately and circumspectly with people and resources pays off.

Guidelines for our actions are:

Founded:
2010
Employees:
130
Turnover (2015):
EUR 45 million
Export rate:
15 %
Main customer sector:
automotive, offshore, tool manufacturing, building construction and civil engineering, metal working and mechanical engineering