Economic environment and overall results
The Hekatron Group, comprising the Fire Protection and Manufacturing divisions, faced a complex set of external challenges in the 2024 financial year. Global geopolitical tensions, a generally subdued economy in Germany and a noticeable slump in the construction industry inevitably led to a decline in consolidated sales of around 37 million euros. Total sales amounted to around 230 million euros. Taking these factors into account, the result can be considered satisfactory: although the previous growth trajectory was not continued, the group managed to keep its operating business stable while building up sufficient financial reserves for future investments.
Investment and transformation strategy
Despite a decline in order intake, the Hekatron Group pursued a consistent strategy to secure its future and invested 8 per cent of its revenue in expanding its locations and in research and development. In the fire protection sector, a targeted digitalisation offensive was pushed forward: A comprehensive online portfolio for smoke and fire alarm technology now complements the classic product business, while digital services are being further expanded. At the same time, Hekatron Manufacturing focused on process optimisation in production by implementing modern dashboards for real-time monitoring of relevant key figures. In addition, short-time working was used as a flexible tool to efficiently adapt human resources to fluctuating demand. These measures demonstrate the company’s forward-looking approach to strengthening its competitiveness in the long term.
Business units in detail
In the Hekatron Fire Protection segment, the sharp decline in sales of smoke and fire alarm systems led to a historic downturn in sales. However, Managing Director Petra Riesterer sees this as confirmation of the company’s own market forecasts and the need to adjust its corporate strategy. The rapid implementation of digital sales channels was crucial in order to continue to reach customers in a targeted manner even in times of lower construction activity. In addition, the range of services was expanded to include prevention services such as remote monitoring and long-term maintenance contracts in order to establish recurring sources of revenue and make the business model more resilient to economic fluctuations.
Hekatron Manufacturing, meanwhile, focused on securing its operational performance. Managing Director Arno Hohmann emphasises that, despite the difficult market phase, the company was able to retain its qualified core staff. The introduction of control dashboards now allows a much faster response to fluctuations in demand, while the strategic use of short-time working helped to secure liquidity without risking long-term staff losses. These measures have stabilised the operating business and created the basis for a rapid ramp-up when the market recovery begins.
Personnel development and commitment to training
With around 1,030 employees, the workforce remained virtually unchanged and the training quota remained at a high level. To mark its 40th anniversary as a recognised training company, Hekatron plans to promote more than 30 young people in established and new apprenticeship professions. For the first time, commercial training in e-commerce is being offered, and the company is responding to the growing demand for skilled workers in future-oriented fields of technology with a dual study programme in artificial intelligence and data science. These initiatives address the acute shortage of skilled workers and secure the company’s own talent pool in the long term, which is of fundamental importance for technology and service companies.
Forecast and strategic assessment
The Sulzburg-based company is cautiously optimistic about the current 2025 financial year. In view of the continuing uncertain political and economic environment, the consistent continuation of digitalisation measures, flexible cost and personnel management, and the strengthening of recurring sources of revenue through service and maintenance contracts are crucial. Overall, the Hekatron Group achieved a satisfactory result in 2024 by investing specifically in future-oriented areas and maintaining personnel stability despite a decline in sales. The critical assessment underscores that digitalisation in fire protection and data-driven production monitoring in particular are key growth drivers. If it succeeds in consistently pursuing these transformation paths and further diversifying its revenue streams, the Hekatron companies will be well equipped to return to calmer and more growth-oriented waters in 2025.
