Jürgen Düsterhus in Interview

What led you into the world of lifting systems and telescopic lifting columns?

Our original design and engineering office was already specialised in drive and conveyor technology. Over time, it became increasingly clear that there was a demand for customised, telescopic output concepts – but the market offered no industrial-grade solutions. After the 2008 financial crisis, we used the quieter order situation to develop our first concepts and products in the field of telescopic lifting systems. This strategic reorientation quickly became the core business of our company.

What values or principles guide your company?

At the heart of our work are the individual needs of our customers. As long as the physical limits allow, we aim to fulfil every client request. Craftsmanship and the highest precision define our philosophy.

What applications or industries typically use your products?

Our lifting systems are used across almost all common industries. Notable sectors include industrial automation, medical technology, food and cleanroom technology, as well as yacht building.

Are there particular specialisations or unique features that you’re especially proud of?

Yes, over time we have developed systems with outstanding performance characteristics. These include extremely high lift-to-installation height ratios, very high precision and exact control options – even when synchronising multiple lifting columns – as well as lifting systems with exceptionally high speeds of up to 2 m/s.

How are new products or technical solutions developed – are they driven more by customer requests or internal innovation?

In most cases, demanding customer requirements are the starting point for new developments. Our capacity for innovation stems directly from real-world practice.

What has been the most technically exciting challenge you’ve solved so far?

There have been many fascinating projects, though we are unfortunately unable to discuss most of them due to confidentiality. One particularly interesting example was the development of telescopic systems capable of achieving very high speeds for use in automated assembly, production, and palletising systems.

How important is the combination of development and manufacturing "from a single source" within your company?

It’s absolutely essential for us. Only in this way can we flexibly respond to short-term changes requested by our customers and ensure prompt availability of spare parts.

You offer both bespoke solutions and series products. How do you manage to strike that balance?

Many of our current series products actually originated from individual customer requests. We have clearly separated the production of series products from the manufacturing of prototypes and special machinery – both organisationally and spatially – to ensure smooth processes.

What role do standardisation and modularity play in your products?

Our extensive modular system forms the basis of most customer requests. We use a wide range of materials – from standard versions to stainless steel variants in V2A or V4A, for example for cleanroom applications or yacht construction. That said, we are not limited to the modular system and continue to develop new systems and components for specific requirements.

You serve a wide range of industries – from mechanical engineering to medical technology and event technology. How do you manage this level of flexibility?

We often encounter specific demands even within the same industry. Our experienced engineering team is well equipped to develop the ideal solution for each case – this level of flexibility is part of our daily routine.

Is there a particular industry or project that stands out in your memory?

There are many projects that have left a lasting impression on us. One example we’d like to highlight is our long-standing collaboration with a leading household appliance manufacturer, during which we developed miniature telescopic drives based on injection moulding technology and later produced them in series.

How do you ensure the high quality of your products?

The entire production process – from design through to completion – is geared towards achieving the highest quality. Especially important is the 100% final inspection of all finished products under conditions as close to real use as possible, and based on the individual requirement profiles of our customers.

Do sustainability or durability play a role in the design of your lifting systems?

Yes, absolutely. Our systems are designed to achieve an extremely long service life, provided they are regularly maintained and worn parts are replaced as necessary. Our past experience – including with systems that have been reliably in use for over 15 years – confirms this commitment.

What developments or trends do you currently observe in the field of lifting systems?

One major trend is increasing automation, especially in areas such as portal systems, robotics applications and autonomous transport systems. Demand for flexible yet highly precise lifting axes continues to grow.

Where are you heading in the coming years?

We’re looking forward to many new, exciting projects that will present us with fresh challenges. Our goal is to continuously develop our products further, always with the individual needs of our customers in focus.