Ilona Storch has now been with Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugteilefabrik KG for more than three decades. The “starting signal” was given when she joined the company in October 1992. At first, the jubilarian was employed in the production department of bicycle bells, then moved to the warehouse and was able to take over the warehouse management just four years later. The 61-year-old still holds this position today.

According to the company owner, Erhard Büchel, Ilona Storch convinces with her assertiveness – after all, she is the only woman working in the warehouse. The fact that the native of Breitungen sees her profession as a vocation benefits the company in particular, and if there is ever a “fire”, Ilona Storch also “stands her ground” at the weekend. As a thank you for the many years of loyalty to the company, Erhard Büchel and Managing Director Oliver Venohr presented a gift basket and the anniversary certificate. The entire Büchel team congratulates very warmly!

Punjab/ Fulda/ Barchfeld. Erhard Büchel recently received a visit from the highest economic circles in the Indian state of Punjab. The background of this inaugural visit of the five-member delegation was an invitation to the economic summit in Punjab to the company Büchel in the coming year. In addition to other globally active companies, Büchel will be particularly in the spotlight at this economic meeting – incidentally the first summit of its kind in Punjab – because the German company has been operating successfully in India for six years: In 2016, the joint venture “Citizen-Büchel Biketech” was signed together with Indian entrepreneur Manjinder Singh and production was successfully started in Ludhiana just one year later. In addition to the production of reflectors, which in India have to be equipped in accordance with the ISO standard since 2014, the production of bicycle rims was later also boosted. To date, demand continues unabated with a market share of over 38% for bicycle reflectors and the production facility is continuously expanding.

Already at the beginning of the meeting, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Bhagwant Mann, was connected from India via videoconference. He explained in his personal words the invitation he had received in writing and made clear that Punjab had embarked on the stringent path of sustainable growth and prosperity. “It would therefore be our pleasure to welcome you and your team to the Economic Summit. We are confident that your organization can play a crucial role in shaping a progressive Punjab.” He further stated that the Indian state of Punjab is currently emerging as a preferred investment destination in India. He said that the new government of Punjab is determined to make concerted efforts and take a number of innovative initiatives to strengthen the investment ecosystem in the state. He further added, “Punjab was recently recognized by the Government of India as one of the “Top Achiever” states in terms of ease of doing business in India. The Punjab government is making relentless efforts to establish Punjab as a global brand.”

Erhard Büchel was delighted to receive the invitation and meet the Chief Minister in person. “We thank the Government of Punjab for supporting bicycle manufacturing in Punjab and creating an investment-friendly ecosystem in the state. Of course, in connection with the invitation, we will further explore the potential investment opportunities in the state of Punjab. We look forward to a good cooperation.” In this context, Büchel also referred to the tense situation in China, where the company has been present since 1985. At that time, the first joint venture of a medium-sized German company in China was concluded. Currently, supply bottlenecks are being experienced due to the stringent Corona policy and the geopolitical situation, so that an expansion of the existing commitment is not a priority at present. In addition to increased involvement in German production sites, including Barchfeld, India has therefore increasingly come into focus as an interesting and potent business partner. After the intensive discussion with the Minister President, Erhard Büchel led the delegation through the production halls in Barchfeld/Thuringia. Here, due to disproportionate growth, a new factory building was designed for Industry 4.0 in 2019 in order to be able to work in a 3-shift system even with low staffing levels.

Stephan (center) has been with us since August 2002. At that time, he began his training as an industrial clerk, which he successfully completed 3 years later. For the last six months of his training, “accounting” was on the agenda. Here his enthusiasm for numbers came to the fore and Stephan got “stuck” in accounting – until today.

His area of responsibility and expertise have since expanded to include foreign business, which includes, among other things, payment transactions with customers and suppliers around the world and foreign exchange hedging. In this area, Stephan is our consummate professional.

Erhard Büchel and Managing Director Oliver Venohr congratulate and present the IHK certificate and a small gift. Here’s to the next 20!

Visit us at our booth 12.1 C12 at the Eurobike in Frankfurt/Main. Discover all the novelties from Büchel: New headlights and taillights in extraordinary design, a completely new designed bike handle series of our subsidiary brand WITTKOP, made in Germany and much more. We look forward to seeing you!

Honor for Erhard Büchel on the occasion of the German SME Summit: In his laudatory speech, science journalist and TV presenter Ranga Yogeshwar honored Büchel GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugteilefabrik KG from Fulda for its success in this year’s “TOP 100 Innovation Competition”. Yogeshwar accompanied the innovation competition, which was held for the 29th time, as a mentor. In the scientific selection process, Büchel, as a company with more than 200 employees, had been particularly convincing in the categories “External Orientation/Open Innovation” and “Innovation Success”.

The statement on the award reads, among other things: “The medium-sized company has existed for more than 100 years and is managed in the second generation by Erhard Büchel, who has recorded continuous innovation successes.” Among other things, these successes can be attributed to the company’s collaboration with various players, including those outside its own company. These include, for example, the Steinbeis Transfer Center at Chemnitz Technical University, which develops machines for the technical implementation of the company’s innovative ideas, and the Fraunhofer Institute in Dresden. An intelligent, sensor-controlled rear light with brake light function was jointly developed here.

At the event in Frankfurt, Erhard Büchel, who accepted the award accompanied by his wife Jila, explained that he also receives new impetus from his presidencies of the European bicycle association CONEBI and the WBIA (World Bicycle Industry Association). He also said that looking at other industries often contributed to new ideas, for example in the development of a front headlight with low beam for electric bicycles. Büchel explained, “The e-bike is becoming more and more like the car, so we can certainly draw further inspiration from the automotive industry in the future.” Erhard Büchel had already received the “TOP 100” seal in February of this year, and the festive tribute now took place in the Jahrhunderthalle Frankfurt-Höchst.