MAPAL positions itself for the future

As it celebrates its 75th anniversary, the MAPAL Group is resolutely focussed on the future. With investments in new technologies, digitalisation and in the targeted development of capabilities, the company is strengthening its position in key sectors and accelerating its efforts to engage with the market and its customers. This is reflected, for instance, in the activities in the dynamically developing Aerospace segment: MAPAL has pooled its expertise in the field of aircraft final assembly in the Global Organisation for Assembly (GOA) department, founded in 2024 – a decisive step to serve global customers faster and in a more targeted manner. The integration of the subsidiary c-Com and acquisition of the Italian X-Pro S.r.l., a specialist in turnkey projects and clamping fixtures, also highlight the company’s commitment to actively shaping technological developments and fully meeting customer requirements.

The future-oriented activities are set against the backdrop of a challenging economic environment. In the 2024 financial year, the MAPAL Group recorded a 6.3 per cent drop in sales to 551 million euros. This was the result of a weak economy as well as lingering uncertainty in important sales markets. Against this backdrop, the outlook for the current 2025 financial year is also very subdued. “After an unsatisfactory first half of the year, we are currently expecting a further drop in sales of up to 5 per cent”, explains Dr Jochen Kress, President of the MAPAL Group.
 

As a result of this development, the personnel structure has been adapted to the changed market conditions. Vacant positions have not been filled, meaning that the MAPAL Group ended the 2024 financial year with 4,850 employees. There has also been a targeted reduction in capacity at the Aalen, Altenstadt and Pforzheim sites in 2025. Compulsory redundancies have largely been avoided thanks to socially responsible measures. “As a family company, we feel a special bond with our staff”, explains Dr Kress. “That’s why this was a difficult decision to make. But it was necessary to secure the MAPAL Group’s long-term competitiveness.”

At the same time, the company is focusing on numerous measures to boost its future viability. The generic component approach is yielding results in the automotive industry: for strategic components, MAPAL is developing sample components with the appropriate machining processes on its own initiative and independently of customers and then quickly adapting these to the respective customer’s needs. This approach has been implemented, for example, in collaboration with a machine tool manufacturer for producing stator housings, a core component in electromobility. In addition, MAPAL continuously implements product innovations and optimisations for all components related to machining in order to deliver productivity gains for its customers. For example, the HNHX indexable inserts have made the conventional method of machining valve seat rings in combustion engines significantly more efficient. The company is expanding its portfolio in the fluid power technology field to cater even more effectively to customer requirements with intelligently combined solutions. The strategic decisions are proving effective in the aerospace industry. Dr Kress: “By pooling all global final assembly activities in the GOA department, we have become much faster and more efficient. Both in the direction of the customer and internally.”

Around 4 million euros is also currently being invested to modernise the Aalen site – a clear commitment to the headquarters, which is also a production site. In order to achieve a high level of efficiency, short delivery times and optimum utilisation, MAPAL is redesigning its production structure. The company headquarters is also undergoing structural reorganisation: since June 2025, MAPAL Aalen has been operating as MAPAL Dr. Kress SE & Co. KG. At the same time, René Güntner has joined the MAPAL Executive Team as the new CFO.
 

The MAPAL Group is resolutely focussed on the challenges of the future with these steps – and remains true to its commitment to actively shape changes and combine customer focus, innovative strength and competitiveness.

René Güntner is the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the MAPAL Group. In his role, he assumes responsibility for the areas of financial accounting, controlling, purchasing and facility management. "With his many years of management experience and in-depth expertise in international companies, René Güntner will contribute valuable impetus to the strategic development of the MAPAL Group. We are very much looking forward to working together," emphasises Dr Jochen Kress, President of the MAPAL Group.

In his last role as Executive Vice President Finance, Güntner (45) was responsible for group accounting, controlling, IT, the business management of international subsidiaries as well as contract and risk management. “I see myself as financial officer as well as sparring partner for all areas of the company,” he says. “Open dialogue and cross-divisional collaboration are key success factors.”

René Güntner succeeds Matthias Cöster, who has left the company by mutual agreement.