For 30 years, HAHN Automation Group Diepenau has stood for reliable automation solutions in plastics processing. What started as a small garage business has grown into a modern company with approximately 100 employees and now serves as a key center of expertise within the HAHN Automation Group. To mark the anniversary, the company hosted a celebratory dinner and an open house event.
From Humble Beginnings to a Leading Technology Center
The company was founded in 1995 under the name GeKu Automatisierungssysteme GmbH. What began in a garage has since developed into a fully equipped production site with over 3,500 square meters of floor space and around 100 employees. Joining the HAHN Automation Group in 2018 opened up new opportunities for growth and innovation. In September 2023, the company was officially renamed HAHN Automation Group Diepenau GmbH.
“We can all be proud of this anniversary,” said Ingo Heuer, Managing Director in Diepenau. The company has evolved significantly over the past 30 years. In the early days, everyone wore many hats and did a bit of everything. However, as the company grew, added more employees, and became part of a global group, it required a more structured approach. Still, some core elements have remained the same. “What we've preserved is our company culture, built on collaboration and a clear focus on providing fast, sustainable solutions for our customers. Our clients value our flexibility, innovative strength, and reliability, both technical and interpersonal. Ultimately, trust is often the deciding factor when choosing a partner for complex automation solutions.”
Advanced Technology with Vision
The Diepenau site specializes in automation systems for the plastics industry. Its solutions include systems for producing connectors, electronic housings, busbars, and coil formers. The equipment developed in Diepenau is known for its high level of automation. Cycle times as short as three seconds per product and system availability rates of up to 95 percent are achievable.
One current technological focus is the in-house developed stitching process. Unlike traditional methods where pre-inserted contacts are overmolded with plastic, the stitching process enables the mechanical insertion and pressing of contacts after the molding step. “The basic concept isn’t new, but our approach is,” Heuer explains. “We use a virtual cam combined with many small servo drives. This allows us to fine-tune system behavior via software instead of using a wrench, giving us much greater flexibility.” The company aims to integrate this technology with its molding solutions to offer a unique combination in the marketplace.
A Reliable Partner in the Region
With an apprenticeship rate of over ten percent, strong employee retention, and many team members from the surrounding area, the Diepenau site is deeply rooted in its local community. Its customer base is primarily located in the German-speaking region, making the company a textbook example of Germany’s successful mid-sized business sector—deeply connected to the region and closely aligned with its customers.
“The successful transformation from a founder-led business to a structured industrial company within a strong, internationally active group is a major milestone for us,” says Heuer. “Especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic, we benefited from the stability of the group and were even able to hire new employees.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Emerging trends like industrial and automotive electrification, along with the miniaturization of connectors, are shaping the technological direction in Diepenau. New OEMs, especially from Asia, are gaining influence and bringing changes to the market landscape. The team in Diepenau is focused on expanding its technological capabilities and driving knowledge transfer across the HAHN Automation Group, particularly toward Asia and North America. “As a global solution provider, HAHN can deliver German engineering worldwide,” Heuer explains. “Our goal is to transfer the know-how developed in Diepenau to our sites in Asia and the U.S. so we can better serve those growing markets.”
Celebration and Community Engagement
The anniversary was celebrated on June 11 with around 200 guests, including long-standing employees, business partners, local government officials, and the group’s top management. The following day, the site opened its doors to the public. Visitors had the chance to see live demonstrations of current customer systems and take home a personalized bottle opener made on a showcase machine.
“The celebration was a strong symbol of unity and shared achievement,” says Heuer. “At the same time, we’re looking to the future—with clear goals, innovative spirit, and a continued commitment to being a reliable partner for our customers.”
