Karen Zimmermann, Jubilarian
Mirko Junghänel, Managing Director

Congratulations, Karen Zimmermann!

Happy 60th birthday

Today we are not only celebrating a milestone birthday, but also an extraordinary colleague, who has enriched our wheel production in Oederan for a quarter of a century: Karen Zimmermann is 60 years old!

25 years of commitment and cordiality

Karen has been a permanent fixture in our team for 25 years and has become an integral part of our day-to-day work. Her colleagues appreciate her for her reliability, helpfulness and her inexhaustible energy. Karen is a point of contact for suppliers, customers and employees alike and always has an open ear for every question, every concern – and sometimes also for private worries.

Her stamina is remarkable: Karen is practically never ill and is always on site when you need her. Whether it’s an urgent delivery, an unexpected challenge or spontaneous assistance – Karen always finds a solution.

The good soul in the office

Her superiors and colleagues often affectionately refer to her as ” the good soul in the office” – a title, which could not be more fitting. With her friendly and caring manner , she not only brings structure to the working day, but also a sense of community and cohesion.

Despite her busy schedule , she makes time for all tasks and requests and wishes and demonstrates an admirable dedication, that is second to none.

A big thank you for a special anniversary

Dear Karen, Your dedication and warmth make you an indispensable part of our team. Over the past 25 years, you have not only shaped our wheel production with your expertise, but also with your unique personality.

We wish you all the best for your 60th birthday, health and as much joie de vivre as you pass on to us every day. We hope that you will remain with us as a colleague, supporter and good soul for a long time to come!

Thanks for everything, Karen – and here’s to many more years together!

WE WELCOME PHILIPP MUTH AS A NEW KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER

We are pleased to welcome Philipp Muth to the team as our new Key Account Manager! He took up his position on January 2, 2025 and will be responsible for the company ‘s strategically important key accounts.

Philipp brings with him extensive experience and expertise: After completing his master’s degree in media management, he initially gained two years of experience as an area sales manager. He then worked as a key account manager in various companies for around six years. His expertise in dealing with major customers and his strategic understanding make him a valuable addition to our team.

“With Philipp Muth , we have gained an experienced and motivated key account manager , who will further strengthen our presence with the major players in Germany and neighboring European countries. We are looking forward to working with him and are convinced, that he will inspire our customers with his expertise and personal commitment,” explains Sales Manager Vitali Tissen.

The whole team at Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugteilefabrik KG wishes Philipp Muth every success and is looking forward to a successful cooperation.

Oliver Venohr, Eberhard Reuter, Daria Büchel (left to right)

Master of numbers for 20 years

Company anniversary of Eberhard Reuter

On October 1, 2024, we celebrated a very special anniversary: Eberhard Reuter, who has been an integral part of our team for 20 years now, started working for us in the area of financial statement preparation on this very day in 2004. With his previous experience at the tax office and in a tax consultancy, he was already well equipped when he joined us. Since then, it has been impossible to imagine our company without him.

Eberhard is characterized by his in-depth expertise in the accounting and tax world. He is responsible for the balance sheets and tax returns of our various Büchel companies and takes on the challenging task of preparing the consolidated balance sheet. He also looks after our real estate management. His exceptional insight into our company structures and processes is an invaluable asset; he knows our company history and the background to many decisions better than almost anyone else. With his comprehensive knowledge and meticulous way of working, he has made a major contribution to the economic success of our group of companies.

However, it is not only his professional qualities, but also his personality that is very valuable to us. He is always friendly, helpful and never too proud to lend a hand. If you get stuck, Eberhard is the one who has an idea for a solution. His ability to keep calm and maintain an overview even in difficult situations makes him an indispensable contact for all colleagues. As an active cyclist, Eberhard is at home in the Rhön region and provides us with local advice when planning our company bike tours.

We thank Eberhard from the bottom of our hearts for his commitment, loyalty and tireless support over the past 20 years and look forward to the next years together. Dear Eberhard, thank you for being part of our team!

Tobias Werner, Operations Manager Büchel Industrie, Barchfeld

Investment in cathodic dip coating (CDC)

Since 2021, we have made efforts to set up our own cathodic dip coating facility for coating bicycle spokes at our Barchfeld site. Over the course of 2022, a concept was developed with a manufacturer of such systems, which resulted in an order for the system technology at the end of 2022.

This was completed in spring 2023 and could be inspected at the manufacturer’s premises. Later in 2023, the system technology was brought to Barchfeld and installed. The coating process was then set up and continuously improved. The first spokes were coated in the fall of 2023.

At the beginning of 2024, employees were trained in the field of cathodic dip coating. Büchel Industrie now has a dedicated team at its disposal and can operate the coating system in two shifts.

What is CDC coating?

Cathodic dip coating (CDC) is an electrochemical coating method. The component to be coated is immersed in an electrically conductive paint bath. After exposure to electrical voltage, paint particles are deposited on the component. The paint particles form a uniform paint film over the entire surface. The paint film increasingly insulates the component and ultimately stops the electrical attraction. After the paint layer has been applied, thermal treatment takes place in a specially designed curing oven. The resulting coating provides effective and long-lasting corrosion protection with high temperature and chemical resistance. It is scratch-resistant and safe against stone chipping. Various pre-treatments further improve the corrosion protection and create an excellent adhesion base for the CDC coating.

In the industry, cathodic dip coating is considered one of the most efficient coating processes for metal surfaces. As the solvent is based on water and the paints are free of lead and zinc, this is a particularly environmentally friendly surface coating.

Due to its good properties, CDC is used as the coating of choice in various industries. For example, in the automotive industry, where it is used in the engine, chassis and brake areas as well as in the interior and bodywork. However, this form of coating has also become indispensable in the mining and power generation industries.

We support safe mobility

We provided the ADFC Fulda with a donation of silicone lights and Sekuclip spoke reflectors. This support was provided on the occasion of the “Move – Mobilität findet Stadt” exhibition at the Fulda Children’s Academy and the “Kidical Mass” day of action on September 29, which was initiated by the ADFC. All children, young people and families were cordially invited to take part in this day on the Ochsenwiese and set an example together for more safety in road traffic! We are delighted to be part of this important initiative and wish all participants a safe journey – now and in the future!   The initiator of the support is our trainee Mkemeltou “Mamy” Sidi Meila, seen here handing over the donation to the deputy chairman of the ADFC Fulda, Dr. Harald Häußer-Mischlich, at the Fulda education fair.

20 years of commitment and success: Felix Darnieder celebrates his company anniversary

On September 1, 2024, Felix Darnieder celebrated his 20th anniversary with our company – an occasion to look back on an impressive career and numerous successes.

Felix started with us on September 1, 2004 as an apprentice industrial clerk and successfully completed his training in 2007. His talent and determination did not go unnoticed, so he was taken on directly in the sales department. Since 2013, Felix has been in charge of the discount, self-service stores and e-commerce sales areas, where he has made a significant contribution to the development and growth of the e-commerce sales branch.

One of his most notable achievements was in the key account project business, where his exceptional determination and his motto “nothing is impossible” meant that he was always able to find creative solutions. An early example of his determination and leadership qualities was demonstrated during his apprenticeship: although his application was initially rejected, he quickly proved his worth. As an apprentice, he successfully coordinated and supervised the refurbishment of 6,000 bicycles by a team of 30 employees for a major customer – an impressive achievement that demonstrated his potential even then.

Felix is not only technically adept, but also an asset to our team on a personal level. He is described by his colleagues and superiors as always polite, friendly and with a smile on his face – even in stressful situations.   To mark his anniversary, Felix was honored with a certificate from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and a bonus. His plans for the future include further expanding his team and driving forward the e-commerce sector even more.

Dear Felix, we thank you for your tireless commitment, your positive attitude and the many successes you have achieved over the past 20 years. We look forward to many more successful years with you!

Azubi gesucht!

Du möchtest nachhaltige Mobilität von morgen schon heute mitgestalten? 🚲 Dann starte deine berufliche Karriere als Industriekauffrau/Industriekaufmann oder Kauffrau/Kaufmann für Büromanagement bei uns. Lerne uns kennen:

📚🎓 Wir sind dabei bei der Bildungsmesse Fulda im Konzeptkaufhaus Karl vom 26. – 28. September! Unsere Stand-Nr. ist 23, im Erdgeschoss. Gerne weitersagen! Wir freuen uns auf dich!

Mehr Info:
https://buechel-online.com/azubi-gesucht/
https://azubi.region-fulda.de/pages/bildungsmesse

We mourn the passing of Erhard Büchel

Erhard Büchel passed away on 12.05.2024 at the age of 71 after a short, serious illness.

He was an outstanding entrepreneur and visionary who dedicated his life to building and developing our successful family business. Erhard Büchel was born on February 17, 1953 in Fulda and took over the management of BÜCHEL GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugteilefabrik KG, which his father had founded in 1920, at the age of 23.

With unwavering commitment and an impressive combination of technical expertise and business foresight, Erhard Büchel led our company to countless successes. His degree in mechanical engineering and business administration from the Technical University of Darmstadt laid the foundations for his impressive career.

One of his most significant achievements was the establishment of a joint venture in China in 1985, making him the first German medium-sized company to pave the way into the Asian market. After the reunification of Germany in 1990, he immediately bought back the production site where the company was founded, which clearly demonstrates his strong will and commitment to tradition.

Erhard Büchel was not only a leading entrepreneur, but also a respected representative of the bicycle industry. As President of CONEBI and the WBIA, he passionately championed the interests of the industry and made a significant contribution to the promotion of cycling worldwide.

He will be remembered as a successful entrepreneur, loving husband, caring father and dedicated supporter of the bicycle industry. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

Erhard Büchel leaves behind his wife, four children and an impressive life’s work. His eldest daughter Daria, who joined the company a year ago, will undoubtedly continue his legacy and uphold the values and ideals he stood for.

Productvideo Micro Lens COB

The BÜCHEL Micro Lens COB rear light is an innovative bicycle light that not only ensures good visibility in the dark, but also has a brake indicator function. This detects when the cyclist brakes and then lights up more brightly to warn other road users. The BÜCHEL Micro Lens COB rear light therefore increases safety when cycling and reduces the risk of rear-end collisions;

Our new product video on YouTube shows how the BÜCHEL Micro Lens COB rear light works, how it is mounted and what advantages it offers;

New to the team: David Meier, product designer

We are pleased to welcome David Meier as a new employee in the Design & Product Development department for bicycle parts and accessories! He is an experienced industrial designer and product developer who has been working with Büchel for a long time as an external service provider, e.g. in the areas of packaging design, product design and exhibition stand design.

David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from OTH Regensburg and a Master’s degree in Industrial Design from TU Munich. He has worked in various industries as an industrial designer and product developer, including electronics, consumer goods, furniture and bicycle parts and accessories. He therefore brings a wide range of expertise and creativity to Büchel.

His tasks at Büchel include the design and development of new products in the bicycle sector, the development of a long-term strategy for Büchel’s product range and the coordination of the entire product development process from the initial idea to the successful market launch.

David Meier lives in Eichstätt (Bavaria) with his wife and two-year-old child. He is an enthusiastic cyclist and is looking forward to combining his passion for cycling with his professional activity from March 1.