In an jubilee celebration, Spangler Automation honoured 17 employees for many years of service. The managing directors Tina Lambert and Christian Brandmüller were able to honour a large group of employees. Many of those honoured have already completed their apprenticeship at Spangler or came to Spangler shortly afterwards. Some have held various roles and positions in the organisation over the years. In the respective laudations, Lambert addressed both the respective career of the employee and one or two anecdotes. For Lambert, these honours not only stand for individual achievements, but they are also recognition for good, lasting, and reliable cooperation.

The company also used the setting to award this year’s winners of the innovation prize. Every year, employees who make suggestions for improving company processes are honoured. This year, two employees shared the third place with the same number of points, which is why Managing Director Christian Brandmüller was able to honour four people.

Long business relationships, both with employees and with customers, have traditionally been important to the company. Plenty of time to develop mutual trust and appreciation and to experience a lot together. Afterwards, everyone was able to review these moments together in a relaxed atmosphere. Tina Lambert’s final request to the employees: “Especially in today’s world, experienced employees who keep a cool head are worth a mint”.

About Spangler:

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Press release Solidarity over the years (591 kb)

Photo jubilarians (2,3 mb)

Photo innovation award winnders (12 mb)

The Chamber awarded 64 craftsmen and craftswomen from all East Bavaria with a certificate of honour for their excellent performance. Maximilian Beer is one of them. As electronics technician for automation, he completed his training at the medium-sized family company Spangler in Töging.

Good frame conditions during apprenticeship

Beer, who started his apprenticeship in 2018, was supported by the good conditions he found in his training company. Already at the beginning he was prepared for the apprenticeship in an intensive training. Regular changes in different departments as well as competent persons to contact are standard at Spangler. Thanks to this formula for success several excellent results could be achieved in the past. Regularly, the Töging company train excellent graduates in different apprenticeships. The last time there was a Chamber winner was in 2009.

Honour by the President of the Chamber of Handicrafts

The certificate was awarded by the President of the Chamber of Handicraft, Jürgen Kilger. In his speech he stressed the importance of the handicraft and trade: ‘Our economic sector is more appreciated again, also because the craft sector has shown its strength during the crisis months and because it kept the region going. People will realise that a career in crafts is worthwhile, especially in these times.” On behalf of the company Spangler, authorized representative Thomas Zenk was honoured for the especially good apprenticeship.

Handicraft with future

Now, Beer is working as a constructing engineer for the electrotechnical engineering of plants and plans plants of all sizes all over the world. “From hydrogen projects in the United States to regenerative drying plants in Egypt, there are always exciting projects”, he describes his working life. As a demanded and highly qualified expert he takes over responsibility for tomorrow’s technology.

About SPANGLER
SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Pressrelease Kammersieger Maximilian Beer

Foto

With an extensive program, the first day of work for the new apprentices also marked their introduction to the training company. Right from the start, Spangler presented its strong emphasis on the family-oriented company culture.

Smooth transition into professional life

For the four electronics technicians, one office administrator, and one dual-study student, the “intensive training” program has now started. This apprenticeship program is designed to ease the transition from school to the working world for young professionals. The six-week course includes topics such as the fundamentals of electrical engineering, materials science, procurement knowledge, as well as excursions like an on-site customer visit to a drinking water facility.

Foundation for a professional career

“Automation technology is a field that will continue to offer more and more exciting opportunities in the future,” says Tina Lambert, Managing Director at Spangler. “We are all the more pleased that we were once again able to inspire six young people to begin an apprenticeship in this field.” For Lambert, dual education remains the perfect foundation for a professional career.

A Diverse and Exciting First Day

Spangler currently trains 25 apprentices and dual-study students. The Töging-based company traditionally places a strong focus on high-quality training. During their apprenticeship, the trainees go through various departments. Each year, up to 30 students are given the opportunity to complete an internship to help them choose their future profession. Apprentices at Spangler are offered the opportunity to undertake an international internship when they turn 18, allowing them to spend a month in a European country.

About SPANGLER:

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

press release (528 kb)

photo start of apprenticeship (9 mb)

With the presentation of the training certificates, the final step of the apprenticeship has been completed, marking the end of the training years. Last week, it was time for five of our apprentices. The training to become an electronics technician specializing in automation technology is divided into company-based training segments and academic portions in Neumarkt and Weiden, consisting of both theoretical and practical studies. This is supplemented by courses from the Chamber of Crafts, which further intensify specific areas of study. Five young colleagues have now received their certificates of apprenticeship.

The Spangler management team, consisting of Tina Lambert and Christian Brandmüller, congratulated the new professionals on their excellent achievements. In a brief speech, Tina Lambert thanked the apprentices, describing the completion of the training as the beginning of a lifelong learning process. She particularly emphasized the extensive development opportunities that the profession offers. Electronics technicians specializing in automation technology are needed everywhere in the economy to bring power to systems and ensure their operation. In recognition of their excellent results, the management also presented the former apprentices with mementos of their training years.

Each year, Spangler Automation trains around seven career starters. In addition to electronics technicians, office staff and dual students are also recruited. For Spangler, training their own specialists is an optimal way to fill demanding positions.

About SPANGLER
SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

pressreleases successful vocational training (260 kb)

Successful Vocational Training (2 mb)

Sixteen employees were honoured for long employment at Spangler. 

Spangler employees were honoured for ten to 40 years of loyalty at Spangler. Managing Director Tina Lambert and Managing Director Christian Brandmüller had prepared a short honorific speech and a collage for each of the sixteen employees celebrating an anniversary. In a familiar atmosphere they were also presented with an honorary certificate from the Chamber of Skilled Crafts. In total, 40 years were honoured twice, 30 years once, 20 years twice, 15 years three times and 10 years 8 times.

Long-term planned jobs

“Despite Corona protective measures, we were able to hold a celebration with the honoured employees and Spangler’s managers“,  Managing Director Tina Lambert was pleased. “The quality of our products mainly depends on the knowledge of our employees. The fact that we can celebrate such long anniversaries is also a sign of good and long-term working conditions.“  Spangler as a medium-sized company has invested in employees and in establishing long-term and family-friendly jobs since the beginning. With the help of these experts the company implements countless projects around the world every year, many of them are among the most innovative machines in the respective sectors.

Award of the innovators

The winners of the coveted Spangler’s innovation award were also honoured on this day. Ideas for improving the operation processes are rewarded with this prize. As ‚mini‘-entrepreneurs employees are thus shaping the working processes of the future themselves.

About SPANGLER
SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

press release with spangler more than 40 years (358 kb)

The Spangler jubilarians plus the management. (3 mb)

Sixteen employees were honored for their long service to the company. (2 mb)

“For us, it’s always a heartfelt desire to give back to our hometown,” summarizes Tina Lambert, Managing Partner at Spangler, reflecting the company’s philosophy. Therefore, a request from the Töging kindergarten for IT equipment was positively approved.

Spangler covered the costs of acquiring tablet PCs. These devices are not intended for the children but serve as a foundation for administration and communication through digital solutions, which will significantly simplify and accelerate processes in the future. According to Mayor Bernd Mayr, the kindergarten is a flagship project within the municipal network. He anticipates that the tablets will eventually be adopted by other municipal kindergartens as well.

Franz Wittmann, a father of two, commented: “As Deputy Head of Purchasing at Spangler, I understand the importance of digitalization and networking. Personally, I have a strong connection to this kindergarten, as I attended it myself, and both my sons were cared for here. In recent months, public infrastructure has faced significant digital challenges, and even though this is just the beginning, we can at least help our local kindergarten to better collaborate with parents.”

The tablets in Töging are being used for various administrative tasks. Given the high standards for safeguarding children’s data, the specially developed app “CARE” is used, where data is stored securely and encrypted. This ensures that communication between parents and the kindergarten is safe and protected. With just one click, all parents can be reminded of an upcoming excursion, letters to parents can be sent in an environmentally friendly way, or the children’s information—such as birthdays, allergies, and special needs—can be accessed. Digitalization also benefits parents; for example, sick children can be reported absent during the night, long before the first children arrive.

The devices donated by Spangler were formally handed over in a donation ceremony. Kindergarten director Roswitha Nikol accepted the much-anticipated devices. Mayor Bernd Mayr personally took the opportunity to see the new features of the devices.

“We are especially pleased that some of the children of Spangler employees attend this kindergarten,” said Tina Lambert. “This donation benefits everyone—the teachers, the children, the parents, and, in the end, even the employees.”

About SPANGLER:

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

press release(500 kb)

Handover of the devices in Töging (3,5 mb)

The future depends on what you do today – Mahatma Gandhi. With this thought, the management of SPANGLER Automation summed up the changes which are currently taking place and which will form the company in the upcoming years. ‘In good times we invest in future-proof measures‘, Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer said. Taking the comprehensive digitalisation of the process and task fields into consideration, like for example the automated warehouse lift in the production or the production and administration building that is under construction at the moment. This ‘Courage for the future’ needs trustworthy and loyal employees, who support these changes. It was therefore all the more a pleasure for her to recognize many employees for their many years with the company. Christian Brandmüller, Josef Schmid and Reinhard Weigl were honoured for 25 years, Anton Höcker, Angelika Leibold, Rainer Meier and Peter Wild for 20 years. Frank Prochnow was thanked for 15 years, as well as Renate Schuderer, Fabian Rackl and Renate Hirsch for 10 years.

Good cohesion

After the honor of the celebrants the Managing Director underlined once again her appreciation for the work performed and the commitment of the whole team as well as the good cohesion.

A particularly large number of prizes were awarded this year for the innovation management for which employees may submit their ideas for improvements. In total nine award winners were honoured for the first three prizes. Reinhard Weigl was awarded with the prize for the best improvement proposal in 2019.

Farewell to retirement

The focus of this afternoon was the farewell to Managing Director Helmut Graspointner, who was with Spangler from the very beginning and will start his well-deserved retirement. The employees did not miss the chance to personally wish him all the best and – represented by the long-term employees Martina Glas and Hubert Rackl – presented some gifts, among them a picture of the company building, painted on a Jura stone. But that was not enough. Christina Deyerler, who has also been working at SPANGLER for many years, handed over probably the most personal gift: anecdotes, memories and wishes in a photo book, collected by all employees. Visibly moved, Helmut Graspointner was recognized for his efforts with long applause.

After the official part the year-end party’s informal and festive get-together started. The affectionately decorated Christmas lounge of the restaurant Freihart in Mallerstetten got all participants in mood for Christmas – with a good mood, mulled wine and cookies.

All pictures: SPANGLER GMBH, Kerstin Obermeyer

About SPANGLER

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years.

Pressemitteilung (146 kb)

Übergabe Erinnerungsbuch (2 mb)

Übergabe Mitarbeitergeschenk (2 mb)

Bild Jubilare (3 mb)

Dietfurt/Töging, 22 March 2021 – She will leave with mixed feelings. Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer, who has built up, accompanied and led the Töging automation manufacturer from a three-person operation to an internationally active company with 150 employees, will leave the active business life as of 1 April. After her brother Helmut Graspointner left the company at the end of 2019, the founding generation now ultimately passes on the stab of the management to the following generation.

Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer has many reasons to leave with happy feelings: a prosperous enterprise with positive future perspectives, a systematically regulated succession with reliable family members and managers and last but not least a workforce which stands behind the company and its management in familial closeness. ‘I am deeply grateful for this and very touched’, the senior manager said and explained the sad feelings: ‘I will miss the people’.

And with people she means all those who have shaped her everyday life up to now: the employees, the customers, the suppliers, the representatives of public life. Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer has always met them with appreciation and with this attitude she laid the foundation for the continuous success of her company. Thus, the connection to customers and suppliers are based on a long-term cooperation and  the concerns and welfare of her employees have always been important for her. ‘We are a family-run company and our employees are members of the business family.’

The people always in mind

Freedom of movement for young people is important so that their training is not only good for transfer of knowledge, but also for personality development. The tasks in the company finally should fit to the individual employees. As it is similarly important to be up to date in later years, Spangler Automation actively supports further training. In this way and with numerous other supportive benefits the company creates future perspectives for its employees and motivates them to a long company loyalty. This holistic approach results in a security which is useful for both parties: for the company, as the fluctuation is very low and for the employees, as they can plan their lives reliably.

Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer is the one who knows best what support means. ‘When I entered the company after the sudden death of my husband Franz Spangler in 2003 and took over the management together with my brother, the backing was the base for surviving – both in the family and in the company.’ The past twelve months now have shown again how precious mutual reliability is under difficult conditions. ‘Like a chain we have defied the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic together and managed to come with our company through troubled waters.’ The gratitude in Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer’s voice is not missed and clearly signals that everything cannot be taken for granted.

Joint effort

Due to the fact that the digital structure has already existed for the sales approach and the working time models, the implementation was possible within a short period of time. A positive aspect was the new company building with new offices and production area which was ready to move in and in this way there was enough alternative area available for the employees. The general acceptance for digital work has increased. For the future, the company leader expects a higher proportion, however, in total a mixture of digital and traditional work forms – finally the individual disposition of the employees has to be considered as well.

The openness of the company towards new developments comes through here. ‘As a service provider we are always open for ideas and approaches which are brought up by customers, the market or other companies. And we have never missed development steps”, Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer sums up. She has in view both the technical development and the programming issues as well as personnel management. Despite all the forward drive, the management never forgets reflection: is the path taken really the right one? A close exchange with the employees is always on the agenda and helps that the reliable team spirit in the corporate family permanently gets new input.

Smooth transition

Exactly for this reason and considering the background of a well-established management team, Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer can calmly hand over the reins. The future management consists of Tina Lambert (born Spangler) and Christian Brandmüller. Furthermore, the authorized representatives Cornelia Hofmann (born Graspointner) for the sections finance and personnel and Thomas Zenk for the department process automation are part of the extended management team. All of them have been part of Spangler and well known for many years or even decades.
And what is Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer doing after 1^st of April? Of course, she will be in the company for some hours, but she will have enough time for trips, bicycling or hiking. ‘The biggest gift for me ist that I can shape my daily routine on my own’, she says humbly. She has always kept humility during her business life – despite all successes or perhaps precisely for that reason.

About SPANGLER

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years.

This year as well long-term employees were honoured for their loyalty and diligence, even though in a small group. Together, the look to the future with new opportunities is an optimistic one.  

At Spangler the commitment to constancy has gained enormous importance in the year 2020. For the family-run company the long-term planning has always been more important than short-term success. In a forward-looking way the company invested in good times in future-proof measures. Thus, with the new office and production building another cornerstone was set for the future.

Good cohesion and team-spirit

The protection of the employees is of top priority for Spangler. When realising measures and changes in the previous months, the company could always rely on the solidarity and the sense of responsibility of its employees. The completion of the new building turned out to be a piece of luck. The extended space provides more possibilities to keep distance and for new work routines.

The employees’ loyalty is clearly visible with this year’s honours, which took place in the new rooms. Helmut Weigl was honoured for 35 years with Spangler and Emilie Graspointner for 25 years. 30 years were achieved by Martina Glas, Hubert Rackl and Thomas Neger, whereas Michael Spangler-Lang was honoured for 20 years and Daniel Rengnath for 15 Jahre years. Florian Kastner and Christoph Stephan have been with Spangler for 10 years.

„All in all, the year 2020 ends in a positive mood. Even though we had to do without the Christmas party, the past weeks and months have shown that our employees form a strong and responsible group.“ according to Managing Director Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer.
Next year the family enterprise can commemorate an anniversary itself: Spangler’s 40. birthday.

All Photos: Veronica Valero, Spangler GmbH

About Spangler:

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide.
The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.
Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

PressRelease (328kb)

Honour Helmut Weigl for 35 years (8mb)

New Building (8mb)

Honour Group (5mb)

Especially in times of academisation of the society, lack of apprenticeships and migration from the land, the dual training system still remains an international role model. Eight new apprentices who were given the chance to start in their occupational life, start their apprenticeship in three different occupations: electrician for automation technology, IT specialist system integration and office clerk.

To allow a smooth transfer from school life to everyday work life, the apprentices will be prepared for their future tasks during the first weeks with an intensive training. In this way they get an overview of their jobs.

For Spangler apprenticeships and trainings have a high priority, as in this way the company recruits many skilled workers itself. „Besides the function of training young, for us training is also a piece of lived responsibility. We are a family business thus we also take over responsibility for the young people’, Personnel Manager Cornelia Hofmann sums up Spangler’s mindset.

Many young people decide to start the entry into the professional life in the so-called ‘dual system’. An apprenticeship, where school, chambers and parents work hand in hand, in connection with additional benefits such as the stay in a foreign country leads to a sustained impetus for the working life. Two chamber awards for particularly good performance in the final year of the apprenticeship serve as a proof of the sound training that Spangler provides.

Pictures: Veronica Valero, Spangler GmbH

About SPANGLER

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years.

Sara Nrecaj and Marie Huml both have finished vocational school with excellent performances why they were honoured at the official farewell of the vocational school in Neumarkt in the ASV sports hall in the presence of Willibald Gailler, administrative head of the district Neumarkt.

Honours were performed later
Sara and Marie started their apprenticeship as a clerk for office management in 2017. As part of their apprenticeship they have worked in several departments and even did a four-week internship in Ireland. The ceremonial handing over of the certificates were performed later in a smaller scale due to the ongoing restriction at the company caused by the Corona virus. “We are very proud of Marie and Sara and their outstanding performances. We are also very pleased that we can further employ them both in responsible positions,” human resources manager Cornelia Hofmann explains.
Reliable apprenticeship also in the future
In the last few years, Spangler has put a great deal into the apprenticeship. Not least through results such as these, Spangler is on a positive and stable way for the future. Spangler continues to focus on the apprenticeship of own specialists. Every year approximately five apprentices start their apprenticeship in different professions. The application period for the start of the apprenticeship in 2021 still lasts until October.

All photos: SPANGLER GMBH, Kerstin Obermeyer

About SPANGLER
SPANGLER GMBH employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl
valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant
engineering for more than 35 years. More than half of the plants produced are exported
worldwide.
SPANGLER Automation plans, programmes and manufactures the control and automation
technology for plants in various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural
economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well
as pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the aftersales
service of the switch and control systems.
Further information: www.spangler-automation.de

PressRelease(145kb)

PictureDownload (4.4mb)

Dietfurt/Töging, 04.12.2019 – Helmut Graspointner, Managing Director of SPANGLER GMBH in Töging and man of the very beginning, retires at the end of this year. His lifetime achievement in electrical engineering and automation technology was honoured by Dr. Georg Haber, President of the Chamber of Skilled Craft of Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate by awarding Helmut Graspointner with its Roritzer medal. Till the end, the secretly organised celebration was said to be a family dinner for his birthday.

The president of the Chamber of Skilled Craft portrayed various professional stages of Helmut Graspointner, from master baker to electronics technician. His drive was said to be the will of wanting, which was repeatedly expressed by his intuition for innovation.

Among the invited guests was the District Administrator of Neumarkt Willibald Gailler, SPANGLER managers and supervisors, long-term politics and business associates, his wife, his mother, his children with their families and his sisters and brothers. The Bavarian State Minister of Finance and Regional Identity, Albert Füracker, had sent his congratulation. Helmut Graspointner took the special honour with emotion and thanked for the felicitous surprise.

He said he will leave with mixed feelings, Graspointner explained. One day the time has come to retire from daily business life. With his sister Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer, his niece Tina Lambert and Christian Brandmüller continuity is guaranteed and with his daughter Cornelia Hofmann another member of the family is involved in the management of the company.

Interview with Helmut Graspointner:

Since the foundation of Spangler GmbH in the year 1981 you have been working with this company. In which fields have you put your focus?

The focus was quite different and has changed regularly with the development of the company. Franz Spangler started the business with repairing radios and TVs and with electrical installations of buildings. In the year of start-up we had only a handful of employees, all of them did all works which incurred. At the beginning I worked only part time in addition to my original job and helped with installation works. When in the second half of the Eighties the design and construction of machine controllers started I focused on the business of machine control and construction of control cabinets and supported production. This was the time when I started to work full-time as authorised representative of the company and when Franz Spangler and I divided up the processes according to fields. Later the company-owned building measures were added: as project leader I was responsible for all three new buildings since 1995.

Which milestones of the company were decisive from your perspective?

Firstly, the great success of machine control cabinets at the beginning of the Nineties. We received the first large orders, the pace of growth was enormous and within a few years the number of our employees tripled. The company become a limited liability company with Franz Spangler and me as Managing Directors. Secondly, the death of Franz Spangler in the year 2003. After this stroke of fate my sister Hannelore Spangler started working full-time at our company. We had to structure the company anew and built up a new organisation under the aspect of long-term customer loyalty.

One aspect of a successful family business is agility and power to innovation. Is this the secret of success of Spangler as well?

That’s right; as we have flat structures we can quickly and unbureaucratically react to developments on the market and as regards technology; often we can face upcoming changes beforehand. As an owner-managed company we always put the whole issue into the focus with a long-term sustainable business development. A decisive aspect is that we have well trained and committed employees, who are engaged with heart and soul and always work at the cutting edge.

This sounds as you have a great working atmosphere…

Indeed, this is the case and it has always been a matter dear to my heart, as has been the fate of the whole company. It starts with a balanced, open atmosphere and ends in jobs which are planned on a long-term basis. We have a close look whether our employees are doing well and offer our help if needed. This results in a safety which is useful for both partners: on the one hand the company, as the fluctuation is very low, and on the other hand our employees as they can reliably plan their lives.  Not least due to this balance and stability I can leave with a good feeling.

Many entrepreneurs have to cope with a lack of trained staff. Is this also the case with Spangler?

We do not have as many job applications today as we had some years ago, but we can still cover our demand. I think that the working atmosphere described before will make our offer for future employees still more interesting. It goes without saying, however, that the degradation of skilled manual jobs which took place in the mid-1990s has huge consequences on today’s business life and should lead to rethinking our system of apprenticeship and training.

For companies managed by its owners the succession of generations is often quite a challenge. How does Spangler solve this topic?

We have already solved this issue. 2008 my daughter Cornelia Hofmann joined the company as proxy holder and she is responsible for the finance and personnel department. Even since 2003 Tina Lambert, Hannelore and Franz Spangler’s daughter, has been working in the company and has been part of management for some time. Both agreed to carry on Spangler GmbH as a family-run business on a long-term basis. Since the beginning of 2019 our longtime Sales Manager Christian Brandmüller has been part of the management. This handover as well is part of the entrepreneurial aspect of business sustainability: Christian Brandmüller celebrated his 25-years company anniversary this year.

At the end of this interview one question to the future private man Helmut Graspointner: Which interests and perspectives are you planning to spend your time with?

I have a number of interests and hobbies and I am indeed looking forward to having more time for them. Above all beekeeping – my 20 bee colonies and the support and encouragement of the young generation will take a lot of time. And as a passionate hunter I will take care of fostering of the local fauna. Moreover, I promised the management of our company that I will accompany the construction of our new building until its completing next year. I’m sure it won’t be boring in future.

Thank you, Mr. Graspointner for this detailed conversation and all the best for your future.

All photos: SPANGLER GMBH, Michael Müller

Press Release (423 kb)

Awarding Roritzer medal (629 kb)

Honor for outstanding accomplishments (802 kb)

Portrait Helmut Graspointner (583kb)

With seven new apprentices – six electricians and one office clerk – the apprenticeship staff at SPANGLER Automation in Töging again has grown strongly. In total the number of apprentices is constantly nearly 20% of the employees. In order to facilitate the future electricians the start in their professional life SPANGLER relies on a successful concept, the intensive training. Here the students learn within 6 weeks the structures and processes of the activities in a compressed form and can make their first attempts with controls themselves without time pressure. A competent training team is at their side with advice and support during this time. The office clerk directly starts in her first department. Nevertheless, she as well is involved in many issues in the intensive training in order to get an overview of the company.

„Power on your future“

SPANGLER also presents itself as an attractive employer in other respects. A new brochure was launched under the titel „Power on your future,“ which describes the advantages of a medium-sized family business. The internet presence as well was adapted to the new ‘Generation Smartphone’. ‘The new appearance is necessary in order to pay the attention to our company already now to future experts’, training manager Teresa Wittmann describes the motivation.

The initial excitement has subsided

For the new apprentices the day started with a welcome by managing director Hannelore Spangler-Schäfer. Her key massage was clear: ‚Apprenticeship is still a brave decision with future’. The future specialists learn within the coming three and a half years which further training possibilities they have at Spangler and which direction fit most. Spangler supports them by deploying them in different departments. Besides the profound training the electricians are now real future experts. Programming of control units is part of the fields of expertise as well as virtual start-up. The apprenticeship team made a varied programme for the first day. Today‘s apprentices are firmly scheduled at Spangler as future experts.

About SPANGLER:

SPANGLER Automation employs around 150 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 40 years.
More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.
Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Töging/Mallerstetten During the company’s Christmas party, which was celebrated as a successful ending of 2018, SPANGLER GMBH appreciated ten long-term employees for their 10 to 30 years anniversary of employment.

“It is our personal wish to have our employees on board for a long period as they are the most important foundation of our success“, said Hannelore Spangler, Managing Director of SPANGLER GMBH. This is the reason why the company is pleased about the number of employees celebrating an anniversary at this year’s Christmas party. Rosmarie Ibel is the good soul of the house and has been taking care for the cleanliness in the offices and the company for 30 years. Admir Viđen was honoured for 20 years of company loyalty. He is responsible for the mechanical assembly of switch and control systems. Markus Simon has been with the company for 20 years and holds today the responsible position of the deputy manufacturing manager. The Management showed its gratitude for the long-term employees and took some time to address every one personally. Ten employees were honoured; altogether they have been with SPANGLER for 150 years.

Reviewing the year in a Christmassy atmosphere

The year 2018 was full of activities with many projects and events. This success was only possible thanks to the great commitment and the willingness to work of all. Hannelore Spangler was evidently pleased to announce that for this reason it is possible to pay a bonus to the employees.

The key focus is on involving the employees throughout the year. Thus, the award of the innovators is targeted at the involvement of the employees in processes of the enterprise. 89 proposals were handed in for the operational suggestions for improvement. Taking most of the assessment points into consideration the following staff members made it into the top three: 1^st rank Peter Gallenkämper, 2^nd rank Andre Spitzner and 3^rd rank Daniela Böhm. Their commitment was rewarded with gift cards.

As in the previous years, the company’s Christmas party took place with a special focus on a pleasant Christmas atmosphere. In the restaurant Freihart in Mallerstetten a special Christmas lounge was established which was used for a cosy get-together with mulled wine and biscuits.

Heartfelt wish – Christmas donations

With the two Christmas donations from SPANGLER this year the wooden lodge of the Waldkindergarten Dietfurt was co-financed and the association “Nähen für Frühchen und Sternenkinder Beilngries e.V.“ (A group of mothers who sew and knit for premature babies and angel babies) was supported.

SPANGLER Automation employs around 140 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide.

The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.

Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Press Release SPANGLER Christmas party (243kb)

Donation Waldkindergarten (273kb)

Donation Nähen für Frühchen und Sternenkinder Beilngries e.V. (4,4mb)

SPANGLER Jubilarians (7,5mb)

SPANGLER Innovators (9,0mb)

Addressing potential qualified employees – this was the aim of SPANGLER Automation. At the career evening on Tuesday the automation specialists presented the advantages of a middle-sized family-run company.

 The event titled “Career Evening” took place in Töging for the first time. The company invited the guests under the appealing theme “Walk of Career”. The style of Hollywood could be clearly noticed in the whole building. SPANGLER offered, for example, a tour with printed stars on the floor, popcorn and cocktails. “Today we are looking for our stars of tomorrow,” Managing Director Hannelore Spangler explained the motto with a wink.

There was a lot to offer for the guests. At 19 stations the interested visitors could look over the shoulder of SPANGLER employees, get to know their everyday working life and even try the tasks themselves. Among other things, there was a mounting workplace which demonstrated future possibilities in manufacturing by using 3D augmented reality glasses. At the other stations the metal and electronics industries showed their full potential. Furthermore, a truck presented vocational training possibilities, the Chamber of Crafts informed about further training in craft and SPANGLER trainees informed about the apprenticeship while SPANGLER programmers answered many questions on machine and plant automation of interested visitors.

Presentation of the company

Besides the individual departments, Managing Director Tina Lambert also mentioned in her presentation the comprehensive services the company offers its employees. The visitors were particularly interested in the last slides of the presentation on which Lambert talked about latest information about the new building of SPANGLER. The numerous guests visiting the SPANGLER Career Evening had an entertaining and informative time there.

SPANGLER Automation employs around 140 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide.

The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.

Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Press release (47 kb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Team Photo (3,3 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Tours (3,4 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Presentation Process Automation (3,0 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Engineering (2,8 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Manufacturing (3,0 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Stand Apprenticeship (3,4 mb)

SPANGLER Carreer Evening Cocktailbar (3,0 mb)

SPANGLER receives the reward for entrepreneurs “Training without borders“ in front of top-class audience at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin

Dietfurt/Töging, 18 October 2018 – An internship in a foreign country for trainees. What is common practice for young academics is still an exception for industrial and commercial apprenticeships. This is not the case with SPANGLER GMBH in Töging: All trainees get the opportunity to stay four weeks abroad as of the age of 18. “We have been looking for a partner for a long time in order to make this exchange possible. It is interesting that we found this partner with the IHK-Projektgesellschaft mbH Ostbrandenburg (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) which is a little journey itself away from us“, smiles Managing Director Hannelore Spangler.

Enhancing the dual training

The strong commitment of the producer of automation technology has led to the award by the federal programme “Training without borders“. Managing Director Hannelore Spangler and training manager Teresa Wittmann received the award on 17 October from Dr. Eric Schweitzer, President of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry, at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy in Berlin.

The ministry initiated the programme in order to make the model of the dual training even more attractive for young people and to support the readiness for mobility. At the same time it is about establishing a mobility culture at medium-sized companies in order to successfully cope with the social and economic-political issues internationalisation and skills shortages.

Foreign countries as part of the apprenticeship

In all 62 enterprises applied for this award. Hannelore Spangler is satisfied that her company is one of the ten chosen awardees: “In our company the internship abroad has already been part of the training for nine years. I am really surprised that we are still an exception here.“ Because of the fact that SPANGLER operates internationally, the management of the company considers it as a duty to support their junior employees also as regards language and culture. “The first step abroad is always the hardest. This is the reason why the programme starts with a week of language course in a school, afterwards the trainees work for three weeks in a co-operating enterprise“.

Getting in touch with the world

Besides the purely professional competences the trainees also have the opportunity to meet young people from other cultures. “Contacts from Ireland, Spain, Italy, Finland or other parts of the world enrich their perspective strongly“, describes training manager Teresa Wittmann as another advantage of this internship. The young globetrotters stay with guest parents in private houses and talk both in private and in business exclusively in English. Furthermore, common leisure activities and trips in the surroundings are part of the programme.

Supporting systematically

What sounds so easy is quite a challenge for many trainees at the beginning: “Often it is their first trip abroad and their first flight unaccompanied; anyway, everybody up to now has been nervous when they – for the first time – travel alone“, Teresa Wittmann sums up and adds: „However, when returning all trainees were enthusiastic about their experience“. From the company’s point of view a complete public financial funding would be the next logic step in order to make such activities more popular and to anchor it deeper than before.

Brexit causes concerns

Despite current success reports the future of the stay in Ireland is not guaranteed: “In case we have to face a Brexit without an agreement, the language school won’t be part of the EU anymore. But no matter in which direction the political wind will blow, “, Hannelore Spangler concludes, „we stand by our programme and our trainees and try to enable an exchange also in case of a hard Brexit“.

SPANGLER Automation employs around 140 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.

Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Press Release (340 mb)

The prize award ceremony (7.4mb)

The prize award ceremony in detail(7.4 mb)

Award winners of ‘Training without borders’(8 mb)

Award winners of ‘Training without borders’ together with the German Federal Minister of Economics and Energy Peter Altmaier (7.3 mb)

Opening speech by the patron Federal Minister of Economics and Energy Peter Altmaier (8 mb)

SPANGLER GMBH in Töging has invited its employees for its health day. In the evening the families joined in for a cozy get-together.

The Töging-based company organises a works outing and a health day in annual alternation. In the latter the focus is on the work and life balance and thus the families of the employees. “Our health day should strengthen the team spirit and help the colleagues to get to know each other”, Managing Director Tina Lambert describes the aim of the event. “Furthermore, we try to integrate specifically regional partners such as the Arzbergstüberl for catering.”

The name specifies the programme

The health day is connected to the SPANGLER FITNESS PROGRAMME. The aim of this programme is to round off interesting workplaces with attractive offers in the region. The programme not only includes sports activities, but also intellectual ones such as language courses and driver safety trainings.
This year’s health day offered – this time at the football ground in Töging – again a various programme. While the bee keeper association Dietfurt, represented by Helmut Graspointner and Florian Kastner, introduced the food honey, the AOK Neumarkt gave many valuable suggestions on the issue of nutrition. The Bavarian Red Cross from Beilngries showed first aid measures. With the fire-brigade federation Neumarkt i.d.Opf., supported by Daniel Götz and Hans Halbig, the correct handling of a fire extinguisher was instructed. Not least the main features of self-defense were trained by Franz Wittmann, Sensei of Shinbukan-Dojo. Most of the stations were supervised by employees who could present their hobbies to their colleagues in this way.

The convivial evening was not rained off

After the training the employees together with their families met at the club house of SV Töging. The table football with human players was well received by young and old with great enthusiasm. In the gym there were games or creative handicrafts for the active kids under the direction of two supervisors. The rain shower punctually at the end of the programme rather provided for a hasty gathering in the dry where fortunately the extensive buffet and Andreas Höll’s friendly team from the Arzbergstüberl waited for the guests. In this way the guests could begin the social part of the event.

SPANGLER Automation employs around 140 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide.

The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.

Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

On 3rd September 2018 nine apprentices start their apprenticeship as electronics technician specialised in automation technology and as administrative assistant at SPANGLER in Töging. As wanted driver of digitalisation the young people will receive much attention.

„The raw material of the future is called knowledge. However, this only grows through a good apprenticeship,“ Managing Director Tina Lambert summarises the forecast of the apprenticeship of the medium-sized company. “With a six week intensive training our apprentices enjoy a smooth transition from school life to their job right at the beginning of their apprenticeship.” During this time the apprentices will learn the main features of the electronics technician job from the scratch so that they already have a good overview of their future tasks.

Many hands for a successful apprenticeship

The nine apprentices consists of two administrative assistants, two female and four male electronics technicians specialised in automation technology and one dual student specialised in electrical engineering and information technology. After their intensive training the apprentices start to get to know all fields of their job, supplemented by school stays at the vocational school located in Neumarkt and later in Weiden for block school. SPANGLER’s training programme also includes further points such as the funded four week interchange to Ireland to bring the working environment in an English-speaking country closer or the internal exam preparation. For a successful apprenticeship many hands generally have to grab into each other: company, vocational school, chamber of crafts, chamber of industry and commerce, parents and last but not least the young adults themselves.

Not a sure-fire success but a fragile customised production

“For SPANGLER the German training system is more than ever a forward-looking successful concept“, Tina Lambert breaks a lance for the dual apprenticeship. She went on to say that, however, the system was not a sure-fire success but had to adapt to the changing challenges of time. “Whether digitalisation or production processes, knowledge is changing. However, the raw material knowledge is vitally important for the future.”

Skilled occupation with future

SPANGLER always employs around 22 apprentices in different years of apprenticeship. After their training period all of them can look forward to excellent career prospects. The skilled occupation electronics technician specialised in automation technology is a job for the future which offers exciting work tasks also in the near future.

SPANGLER Automation employs around 140 people at its headquarters in Töging in the Altmühl valley and has been a reliable partner of the national and international mechanical and plant engineering for more than 35 years.

More than half of the plants produced are exported worldwide. The medium-sized family-run company plans and engineers plant automation, programs the control technology and manufactures switch and control systems for various sectors such as environmental technology, agricultural economy, building industry, food industry, automobile industry, raw materials industry as well as renewable energies.

Moreover, SPANGLER carries out the start-up and the after-sales service of the plants.

Press release_Knowledge as raw material of the future (165 kb)

Press Picture (10 mb)

Töging/Mallerstetten Festive Christmas celebrations at the Töging-based automation specialists of SPANGLER. No less than 16 employees celebrated a company jubilee and were honoured with some personal words at the Christmas celebrations.

At the SPANGLER Christmas celebrations organised by the company, Managing Director Hannelore Spangler looked back over the past year. “2017 was quite demanding for us.” In particular the high level of orders, which is of course positive, brought many challenges. These were able to be mastered thanks to employee efforts. She thanked all employees for their overtime, inter-departmental support and taking over additional tasks.

Long-standing employees personally honoured

“The readiness of everyone to support changes is what keeps us together. I am grateful for the successful cooperation over the past year and proud of such a strong team,” she continued.

Just how well the company sticks together was demonstrated by the subsequent awards to employees celebrating a company jubilee. 16 employees from all departments and occupational groups were honoured for 10 to 20 years at the company.

Living up to local responsibility

SPANGLER sees long-term, durable and local relationships as the key to successful cooperation. With this in mind, it was decided to make a donation to the citizens foundation “Region Neumarkt”. This gives consideration to social responsibility in the region and its citizens, and supports people who have got into difficulties, often through no great fault of their own. In addition, the employees collected donations of both food and money for the food bank (“Tafel”) Beilngries and surrounding area. These were presented to representatives of the food bank after the collection had been completed.

About SPANGLER

SPANGLER Automation based in Töging in Altmühltal currently employs 130 people and has been a reliable partner for national and international machine and plant construction for more than 35 years. More than half the plants manufactured are exported all over the world.
The medium-sized family-run business carries out planning for plant automation, programmes control systems and manufactures switchgears and control units for a wide range of different industries: environment technology, agriculture, construction, the food, automotive, raw materials and pharmaceutical industries.
In addition, SPANGLER takes over initial start-up and after-sales service for plants.

Press release_SPANGLER christmas celebration 2017 (253kb)

Hand over employee donations (13mb)

Employee honour for long years of staff membership (10mb)

On 2017-12-05 the last in a series of four network events for regional management in Altmühl-Jura took place at SPANGLER Automation in Töging, attracting a good 60 participants.

The events were organised in cooperation with Unternehmerfabrik Landkreis Roth (entrepreneur factory rural district of Roth) and business development of the administrative district of Eichstätt together with regional companies (which this year included Bühler GmbH, On&Off, the Gutmann brewery and Spangler GmbH) and institutions (such as the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt or the local Upper Palatinate government) and featured a range of quite different company-specific topics.

The participating companies and inhabitants of Altmühl-Jura were given practical insight into the subject of Industry 4.0 last Tuesday in Töging. Industry 4.0 stands for different concepts and theories which, according to experts, will be nothing less than the future of work and production. “Industry 4.0 presents us with interesting new challenges. We at SPANGLER are trying to pick up on this subject and implement our know-how in terms of both in-house and customer projects,” states Managing Director Helmut Graspointner. For this reason, the paper by SPANGLER not only vividly presented the previous industries 1.0 to 3.0, it also illustrated the vast potentials of technology in the light of Industry 4.0 using the practical example of a networked washing machine.

Global players such as Amazon, Google or Microsoft are currently tweaking their technologies in order to offer intelligent and networked solutions. Products such as digital voice-controlled assistants are just the beginning. Here in Töging, there are no plans to compete at eye level with the US giants, but the company is following its own agenda in ambitious projects. Thus, for example, the objective of “paperless production” was achieved with the aid of PC tablets, while at the same time a new knowledge management system provides digital information and knowledge from production data to telephone lists for every employee. Flagship projects are also in operation at external customers. The examples illustrated ranged from recording machine data through cloud solutions to plant control systems.

Paper presented by local Upper Palatinate government

In order to help companies equip themselves for the future in the light of increasing digitalisation, the Free State of Bavaria is offering financial support in the form of the “Digital bonus” scheme, which was explained to participants by government inspector Verena Dietl from the Upper Palatinate government. The scheme is designed to help companies start building up future-capable digital structures.

After the talks, guests had the opportunity to get to know the automation specialists in more detail during a tour of the company, and to swap ideas during network talks.

Altmühl-Jura active again in 2018

According to regional manager Kathrin Peter from Altmühl-Jura, the network event format will be continued in 2018. To further boost the momentum in the region, she is already planning further events for the coming year, such as the Altmühl-Jura local trade fair on 21/22 April 2018 with a special day for trainees on 21 April in Dietfurt. Spangler will be involved in this again too.

About Altmühl-Jura

Altmühl-Jura is the term used to describe the municipal amalgamation of the communities: Altmannstein, Beilngries, Berching, Breitenbrunn, Denkendorf, Dietfurt, Greding, Kinding, Kipfenberg, Mindelstetten, Titting and Walting. This amalgamation covers 3 rural districts and 3 administrative districts in central Bavaria, in the centre of the Altmühltal conservation area. This structure is unique and a shining example of the innovative and networked mindset in our region. Numerous projects in the fields of tourism, nature and culture, mobility, business and social matters focus the special features of the region.

About SPANGLER

SPANGLER Automation based in Töging in Altmühltal currently employs 130 people and has been a reliable partner for national and international machine and plant construction for more than 35 years. More than half the plants manufactured are exported all over the world.
The medium-sized family-run business carries out planning for plant automation, programmes control systems and manufactures switchgears and control units for a wide range of different industries: environment technology, agriculture, construction, the food, automotive, raw materials and pharmaceutical industries.
In addition, SPANGLER takes over initial start-up and after-sales service for plants.

Press release_Network event Altmühl-Jura (444kb)

Speaker Thomas Zenk presents Industry 4.0 (9,5mb)

After the series of talks, guests had a chance to network over a snack. (7,9mb)

The tours of the company were extremely popular. (10,6mb)

General Manager Christian Brandmüller was available for both company tours and networking. (8,7mb)

With around 60 participants at the network event (10,3mb)