Hello Mr. Roth, thank you for taking the time to do this little interview with us. You are the Managing Director Central Europe of GALIKA AG, you are based in Switzerland and you are mainly active in the Eastern European market. What is the situation like there right now?
In March and April, we all showed respect for the situation. Many could still remember the story. Investments were quickly stopped, but in the end not as pronounced as it was announced. The PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) fell sharply. Nevertheless, we were able to realize good projects.
GALIKA has been a trading partner of Schuster for a few years now. Can you tell us how the cooperation came about?
The contact came through Matthis Rühle two years ago. He simply called me. The moment was favorable, because one of his competitors had just been taken over by an American company. It became apparent that the new structures and contact persons could no longer meet the requirements. So we started - loosely at first - with Schuster. I prefer to work with medium-sized companies, where the word still counts and where you can work together on a normal basis.
And with Schuster is that so?
Yes, exactly. I like to work with small structures and in direct ways. With smaller companies, quotes come faster and issues are resolved quicker.
Which customers do you serve with Schuster machines?
The extended workbench of the German automotive industry is located in the east. There are not only many subsidiaries of the relevant automotive industry, but also many independent companies, many automotive suppliers. The Polish aerospace industry is also based in Rzeszów in southern Poland. Various components and kits for the aviation industry are manufactured there in the so-called Aerospace Valley.
And what exactly are the requirements of these companies?
All machines work in the high-tech sector. It's all about fast, high, accurate. The machines work 24/7, so the high-tech industry needs 80% turn-key solutions. I give them a care-free package from our suppliers. That's the big strength compared to standard machine manufacturers: we can offer the whole range. In addition, we have our own service technicians and our own technologists in each country. We communicate in the markets in the respective national languages and are in daily, direct contact with our customers and interested parties. Knowing the local language helps immensely to bridge language barriers and cultural differences.
MSV Brno is just around the corner. What are your expectations of the leading exhibition? And what is the significance of the exhibition as a business platform today?
Exhibitions are immensely important for our business. Brno is the most important in the region. For us, the exhibition means customer loyalty. Our customers don't decide spontaneously, "Let’s buy a machine". Instead, long-term relationships and contracts are established. What counts here is cooperation and exchange.
The last few years - when the major exhibitions did not take place due to the pandemic - we pushed our own trade show. In our Czech subsidiary, we held an "Open House" in the demo room in Olomouc for three days. The response was incredible. Everyone wanted to chat again. Customers even came to us from southern Poland and Slovakia. We had also invited the accessory suppliers delivering accessories such as tool holders, tools and everything around machines. We opened at nine o'clock, and by one minute past nine there were already thirty people standing there. In total, about three hundred people came. A huge success.
Thank you very much, Mr. Roth, for the informative interview. We wish you every success at the exhibition. We look forward to continuing our good cooperation!
For more than 20 years, GALIKA AG, headquartered in Switzerland, has been one of the leading companies for total services in the sale of machine tools and production machinery. Nearly 75 employees are in daily contact with customers and suppliers. GALIKA offers comprehensive solutions in the field of technology and application, delivery, assembly and training. In addition, the company, together with its strategic financial partners, provides support in financing the planned investments. GALIKA has a local presence in Central Europe with sales, customer service and application. Consumables and spare parts are managed centrally by the subsidiary in Austria and delivered directly to customers through various logistics channels.
