If we are to believe public perception, we are currently living in "troubled times". As machine manufacturers with a strong global presence, we are of course keeping a close eye on the diverse issues concerning Germany as a business location, as well as on the negative signals from geopolitical challenges which had seemed to be long settled. Meanwhile we are focusing our efforts on what we do best: providing our customers around the world with competitive plants for processing polyurethane. This issue of our customer magazine INNOVATIONS includes several examples of suitable responses to the aforementioned developments. We have recently increased our portfolio significantly through the takeover of Impianti OMS. I am delighted to introduce you to the Italian market leader in plant technology for manufacturing sandwich panels under a new name. Alongside this strategical approach, we are also continuing to grow organically. In April we opened our third manufacturing site in Jiaxing, a Chinese region of growth. We have also established a new company in the Japanese capital Tokyo. These both represent significant milestones in our Hennecke strategy in Asia. In addition to availability and performance, a strong sales and service network is one the most important purchasing incentives, especially for customers operating on a global level. See for example how Hennecke's metering machines have become the standard for developing and producing vehicle wiring harnesses for the automobile industry. The new premixing station of the LAMBDAMAT series for processing HFO formulations is also fully in line with market requirements. Users are perfectly equipped for the phase out of older blowing agents. As you can see, instead of focusing on the wide array of uncertainties, we devote our expertise exclusively to positive signs in the rapidly growing market for polyurethane processing technology. The 70 year old material polyurethane certainly knows no limits to its applications and markets. With this in mind, I hope you enjoy reading our exciting and informative customer magazine.

Alois Schmid
Managing Director Technology