Review of the year

The Blickle year 2024 at a glance

2024 was full of challenges, characterised by a demanding economic environment, international crises and geopolitical uncertainties. The order situation of many companies in a wide range of different industries was unsatisfactory. The Blickle Group also felt the effects of these influences. Thanks to our broad customer structure and our international presence, we were able to cushion the negative development in individual markets. Despite increased efforts, however, we did not succeed in achieving the growth targets set for 2024. Nevertheless, we are proud that we continue to be a leader in the wheel and castor industry. At the same time, this is an incentive for us to become even better. For the future, we will continue to rely on our flexibility and adaptability. By setting up distribution companies in Japan and Colombia, we want to open up new markets in order to be on site for our customers worldwide. Major investments, for example in state-of-the-art production processes, innovative products, the digitalisation of our manufacturing and administration, and the expansion of our sales organisation, also help to ensure that we are well positioned for the future.

Facts & Figures 2024

Facts and Figures 2024

In 2024, the Blickle Group had to assert itself in a difficult global market environment and was unable to achieve its growth targets. Overall, its international presence proved to be an important competitive factor this year. This enabled Blickle to largely compensate for the lower demand in individual markets.

  • Slight decline in sales to just under 300 million euros in the Blickle Group.
  • More than 2,000 customers from 19 countries took part in the Blickle customer satisfaction survey in October 2020. Blickle again achieved a top rating with an average grade of 1.7 on a scale of 1 (very good) to 6 (unsatisfactory), analogous to the German school grading system. For the first time, Blickle donated two euros per participant to UNICEF.
  • The Net Promoter Score as a key indicator of customer satisfaction in the Blickle webshop has improved further and now averages 60 points. This puts Blickle among the companies rated as ‘excellent’.
  • A total of around 25 per cent more customer-specific developments than in 2023.
  • The new Blickle company film is available in 16 language versions.
Investments in the future

Investing in the future

The Blickle Group is investing in the digitalisation of its manufacturing and its international presence in order to consolidate its leading market position and remain fit for the future. Despite the current challenges, we are consistently focusing on the further development of Germany as a production location.

  • This year, Blickle has already established two new sales companies: Blickle Japan Wheels and Casters Corp. Ltd. in Osaka, Japan and the joint venture Rodamex-Blickle de Colombia in Cali, Colombia. This is the first time that Blickle has been represented by a sales company in South America. The number of international Blickle sales companies has thus increased to 22. The establishment of the two sales companies strengthens Blickle's position as the world market leader in the wheel and castor sector.
  • Investments in automation, digitalisation and ergonomic workplace concepts for the continuous development of our production.
  • Optimisation of existing structures, such as the restructuring and expansion of our plastic production.
Customer service

Customer service

Personal customer contact through various channels is of central importance to us. This year, we have further expanded our digital services internationally, enabling us to respond even more efficiently to our customers' needs.

  • Rollout of the Blickle website in five additional countries. A total of 30 Blickle domains are now available worldwide.
  • Rollout of three further Blickle web shops. The Blickle Shop is now available in 14 countries.
  • Above-average growth of Blickle web shops: More than 15,000 orders worldwide in 2024.
  • More than 6,000 purchasing web shop customers worldwide.
  • Extended communication options through the introduction of a chat function on six additional country websites. Overall, this service is now available on 19 domains and will be further expanded.
  • New industry brochure for the use of wheels and castors in the ‘hygiene and design’ sector.
  • Blickle continues to invest in the expansion of its social media presence and has significantly improved its reach. In total, Blickle has more than 25,000 followers on its worldwide social media profiles. Compared to 2023, the number of followers on Instagram has increased by 46 per cent. On LinkedIn, the number of followers has even increased by 54 per cent.
  • Since 2024, all sales activities have been combined under the function of Chief Sales Officer, which is the responsibility of Manuel Kraibühler. Around 300 sales employees worldwide are on hand to offer our customers the best possible advice and top-quality service.
ErgoMove business unit

ErgoMove

The ErgoMove business unit, specialising in electric drive systems, has had a new brand identity since the beginning of 2024. To further expand the brand's presence, we have been working hard on a new international ErgoMove website since the end of 2024. This will enable the Blickle Group to strengthen its electric drive systems division and invest in the development of this business unit. In addition, there are numerous other facts and figures:

  • More than 45 per cent growth in sales compared to 2023.
  • In 2024, the business unit was able to carry out numerous major projects worldwide. For the first time, these included projects in Australia and Ireland. ErgoMove further expanded its international customer base at numerous trade fairs.
  • New ErgoMove brochure available in 15 languages.
Energy, Sustainability & Social Responsibility

Energy, sustainability & social responsibility

As a leading global manufacturer of wheels and castors, we are aware of our responsibility – not only for our company, but also for the people, the region and the environment. This year, we have implemented various measures to fulfil this responsibility.

  • EcoVadis re-certification (Corporate Social Responsibility). Blickle is among the top eight per cent of certified companies.
  • Support for social projects and institutions in the region and far beyond.
  • Calculation of the first product carbon footprint in accordance with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol & ISO 14067.
  • In cooperation with the Fraunhofer IAIS, Blickle is starting a project in 2025 to develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy.
  • Commissioning to expand the existing photovoltaic system for 2025.
Confidence in the future

Confidence in the future

With our global presence and many years of experience, we will remain a reliable partner for our customers in a wide range of industries in the future. Thanks to our experienced local staff, we are able to respond flexibly to individual market requirements and optimally fulfil local customer needs. Through its 22 sales organisations, the Blickle Group employs over 1,300 people on five continents.

  • Anniversaries in 2024:
    • 25 years of Blickle Italy
    • 25 years of Blickle UK
    • 60 years of KS Gruppen in Denmark
    • 30 years of cooperation with Promag in Poland
  • A very high proportion of regular customers in many industries worldwide.
  • Even in challenging times, we focus on solidarity and are a reliable employer. Our committed and loyal employees are the foundation of our success:
    • More than 1,300 people are employed by the Blickle Group, with over 900 working at its headquarters in Rosenfeld.
    • 60 students and apprentices are currently being trained at Blickle.