Poing near Munich, 29th September \u2013 Conveyor and material processing systems are used in many industries. TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation Borna GmbH, a REMA TIP TOP AG company, has been an innovative system provider and reliable partner in wear and corrosion protection, as well as conveyor system service and construction, for 35 years. Jens Grabowski has been with the company for 33 years and was appointed Managing Director in 2006. In this interview, he shares insights on the company's growth, spanning four German locations in Zedlitz, Nauen, Zwickau, and F\u00fcrstenwalde, and discusses his achievements in establishing the company as a leading service provider in conveyor technology.<\/p>\n
Mr. Grabowski, TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation Borna is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. This is an excellent opportunity to take a brief look back. How has the company evolved since its founding?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: Industrievulkanisation Borna GmbH originated in the lignite industry of central Germany. Conveyor technology was an integral part of coal mining in this industry. In 1990, Industrievulkanisation Borna GmbH merged with Stahlgruber Otto Gruber GmbH & Co. KG. Today, we are part of the REMA TIP TOP Group. In the early days, the company had 25 employees. Now, 120 people work at the Borna headquarters and the Nauen, Zwickau, and F\u00fcrstenwalde branches, including sales engineers, commercial staff, service technicians, metalworkers, construction mechanics, and trainees in various fields.<\/p>\n What are the main focus areas of TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation Borna today?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: Our range of services includes the supply and installation of steel cable, plastic, and textile conveyor belts, the installation of handrails on moving walkways and escalators, and the assembly, repair, and manufacture of endless joints on conveyor belts using cold and hot vulcanization processes. Another important product area is our innovative belt cleaning and coating systems, as well as steel and plant construction at our site in Nauen.<\/p>\n You have been with the company for 33 years. Initially, you held positions as a Sales Engineer and Operations Manager. Since 2006, you have served as the Managing Director of TIP TOP Borna GmbH. During this time, you have made significant contributions to strengthening REMA TIP TOP's market position in conveyor technology. What were the most important developments during this period, in your opinion?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: The industry itself has undergone significant changes in recent decades. For instance, lignite mining in central Germany has dramatically declined. Today, we are a strong partner for many industries that transport bulk and piece goods.<\/p>\n Accordingly, my goal has been, and continues to be, to expand and develop the company's portfolio in conveyor technology, and open new business areas. Thanks to our locations, particularly the opening of our Nauen branch in 1998, we have shaped the company's development in a sustainable manner. This has always been based on the expertise of our employees in conveyor technology. One of my key tasks is to expand this expertise even further.<\/p>\n Can you provide a specific example?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: One example of this is the development of our products for cleaning conveyor belts. Cleaning these belts is crucial for their service life and the cleanliness of the systems. However, many plant operators neglect this task for a variety of reasons. As a service partner for repairs and conveyor belt splicing, we have often noticed this when working on site. Optimal cleaning significantly contributes to cost-effectiveness because downtime caused by contamination leads to inefficiency and can result in the complete shutdown of the conveyor belt system. Inadequate cleaning also causes additional costs due to increased wear on drums or conveyor belts, loss of bulk material, and expenses for manual cleaning. REMA TIP TOP has developed the REMACLEAN and UNICLEAN conveyor belt cleaning systems to address this issue. These systems complement our portfolio perfectly and offer opportunities for further growth.<\/p>\n TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation Borna is also a service partner for a manufacturer of plastic conveyor belts. You played an instrumental role in making this happen. What makes this partnership unique?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: I also saw opportunities for our company to grow in this area by building on our existing expertise. The manufacturer is a market leader in the production of plastic belts. Through this partnership and others, we can leverage experience and a diverse product range specially developed for specific applications, including printing and paper, food, and material handling. This applies to conveyor and process belts, as well as feed and drive belts, modular belts, toothed belts, and round belts made of plastic. We adapt all products for their respective applications and, upon request, integrate them into the system with the help of our trained staff. We undergo annual certification in accordance with DIN ISO 9001 for this process.<\/p>\n Are there other products that never cease to fascinate you?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: Yes, indeed. We actually provide services for installing and vulcanizing handrails on escalators and moving walkways, which are used to transport people. Many people touch these handrails when using escalators at airports, train stations, and shopping centers. Since 2002, we have cooperated with an Austrian company that is one of the leading handrail manufacturers in Europe and worldwide. We have an extensive inventory of different handrail types so we can quickly respond to customer requests.<\/p>\n Another exciting product is REMAPUR, a coating system for protecting and renovating steel and concrete substrates. It is used in biogas plants, containers, hoppers, and other components. In this area, too, we are building on existing expertise and expanding it.<\/p>\n \"Employees\" is a good keyword. Many industrial sectors report having difficulty finding qualified specialists. What is the situation like at your company, and what makes TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation Borna an attractive employer?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: Yes, the topic of employees has become a central focus in recent years, even more so since the onset of the pandemic, and now consumes a significant portion of our workday. Addressing this issue is one of our biggest challenges as a company. Many of our employees have been with the company for a long time. In fact, we currently have employees who were here when the company was founded. Naturally, as an employer, you are proud when staff turnover is low and employees have been with the company for a long time.<\/p>\n Now more than ever, this requires open and appreciative communication with employees, which is precisely my management style. In our company, there is no \"I\"; we live by \"we.\" Each employee is important, regardless of their position or role. In this context, however, two points should be mentioned. First, we train young people to ensure the continuity of the company. Second, we integrate foreign employees. Our foreign employees have become particularly valuable to us in recent years. Our company employs people from many different countries, including Bosnia, Albania, Poland, and Kazakhstan. We also offer a number of benefits that make us an attractive employer.<\/p>\n What opportunities and challenges do you see for TIP TOP Industrievulkanisation's four locations, and what are your goals for the company's future?<\/strong><\/p>\n GRABOWSKI: We see our greatest opportunities in our innovative strength and our employees' involvement in shaping the company. We evaluate opportunities, risks, and possibilities that will benefit not only our individual company, but also the entire REMA TIP TOP Group. We want our colleagues from other companies to benefit from our developments, products, and expertise. We are already a system provider with excellent products, extensive experience, and valued employees. I see the greatest opportunities for the future in our digital products and our employees' expertise. Naturally, we must rise to the challenges we face. The main challenges lie in human resources. We seek and train employees who share our philosophy and want to help shape the company's development. It is also important, however, to keep a focus on constantly changing market conditions and master the resulting challenges flexibly, competently, and promptly.<\/p>\n My personal goal is to continue shaping this path for a few more years and then hand over the responsibilities to a successor at the right time while providing guidance. This has been the secret to our company's success for more than 35 years.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Poing near Munich, September 29, 2025. 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