Trelleborg epros Is Renamed Trelleborg Pipe Seals Duisburg GmbH
Duisburg, 21 September 2009. The brand epros® has been a well established name in the pipe and sewer engineering sector since 1992. The company, which was initially founded by Michael Mühlin under the name of “epros Umweltschutztechnik GmbH”, specializes in the development and marketing of state-of-the-art trenchless renovation systems for the repair of pipes in sewer systems, buildings and industrial plants.
In 2007, the company merged with the globally successful Sweden-based Trelleborg Group and was renamed Trelleborg epros GmbH. This was a well-considered intermediate step to give the customers time to get accustomed to the new group name in connection with the epros® brand and to learn to know the Trelleborg Group better. The corporate name has now changed again, so to say as a visible sign for the final step of full integration. So Trelleborg epros GmbH was renamed Trelleborg Pipe Seals Duisburg GmbH on the first day of September. The English subsidiary, formerly Trelleborg epros Ltd., changed its name to Trelleborg Pipe Seals Gateshead Ltd.
Trelleborg relies on strong brands
High-performance solutions that seal, damp and protect in demanding industrial environments – these have been the benchmarks and challenges met by Trelleborg for more than 100 years. Whether in the Automotive or Transport industry, the Marine or Offshore sector, or in Aviation and Space Travel, Trelleborg views itself as one of the leading technology companies based on advanced polymer technology and in-depth applications know-how, offering its customers not only sophisticated engineering services but also a broad range of high-performance solutions.
Continued growth has been made possible thanks to the accelerated purchase of numerous renowned and well established brands of innovative technology companies during the past few years. The range of brands is integrated under the strong corporate umbrella brand of the Trelleborg group. The uniting and linking of all these companies' strengths under the Trelleborg roof enables the group to increase its market shares today.
“We can be justly proud of the fact that on the basis of its specific qualities our company was allowed to incorporate its strong brand name “epros®” into Trelleborg in 2007”, says Michael Mühlin (41). “epros® is a long-establish brand. Our ambition to enable our customers to always achieve best results and utmost quality by using our products and methods is in line with Trelleborg’s ambition: always to be the first choice for customers whenever they are faced with complex technical problems.”
The products and solutions from former epros Umweltschutztechnik will thus remain present within the scope of the brand name “epros®DrainSystems” under the umbrella of Trelleborg Engineered Systems in the “Pipe Seals” business.
“Thanks to the synergies from the merger with Trelleborg, we can offer even faster service in the future that will facilitate the practical day-to-day business of our installers. We are currently working hard to optimize the equipment and develop even more user-friendly components”, reveals Andreas Bichler, Technical Manager, who has been aboard since 2007: “At the end of October, we will be able to present our customers with 6 product improvements and 7 product novelties for next year.”
Strengthened Leadership
On the first of September, Dutch National Hendrik Willem Hagenberg (44) was appointed second Managing Director. He previously held a managerial position with Bosch, joined Trelleborg one year ago and has since been responsible for the entire “Pipe Seals” business unit in the group. The graduate Business Economist will share the management of the commercial department as an additional Managing Director. He will be supported by Renate Linek (37), Controller and part of the Duisburg team since August 2007. She has now been granted Commercial Power of Attorney.
Michael Mühlin (41), founder of epros GmbH and sole Managing Director since being taken over by the Trelleborg Group, is pleased to have some of the burden taken off his shoulders: “In future, I’ll be able to focus on strategic orientation and new business development.”
(Almost) No Changes For Customers
“The name and management changes will have no direct impact on our customers”, says Regine Becker, Marketing & Communications Manager since 2008. “They just need to get accustomed to the new name. All contractual rights and obligations remain unchanged. The sales contacts they have been used to dealing with (both internal and field sales staff) and technical support will continue to be available on the usual telephone numbers. And in order to better our services, we would be happy to receive their ideas or suggestions and constructive criticism for improvement at any time – even directly to my address.” And she adds: “What we find very important is that our customers can at any time get in direct touch with us; because being now part of a big group doesn’t mean that we want to lose touch with the field or with our customers – we are at their disposal whenever required!”