ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR – GERHARD SCHWING 2006
From Concretepumping
How do you honor a man whose last name is synonymous worldwide with concrete pumping? You award him the “Entrepreneur of the Year” which was presented to Gerhard Schwing, owner of Schwing GmbH, Herne, West Germany recently. The award was presented by the leading German newspaper to Mr. Schwing at an economic forum in Essen, Germany earlier this year.
Noted in the award was Mr. Schwing’s successful globalization of the company which has resulted in manufacturing plants in Germany, Austria, Russia, China, Brazil, India and the United States.
In the U.S., Schwing entered the market in 1974. Shortly afterward, the company made the bold commitment to establish a manufacturing plant which has become the largest concrete pump facility in North America. Thousands of customers have been the reward for this 30+ year commitment.
“I am the man on the ship’s mast looking for new opportunities,” stated Mr. Schwing in his acceptance speech. That vision resulted in the introduction of Stetter truck mixers to the U.S. which has bolstered Schwing America’s penetration into the construction market. Stetter is a wholly owned subsidiary of Schwing GmbH and enjoys a reputation for product superiority in Europe and is rapidly developing a loyal customer base in the U.S..
But, what of the man with the famous last name. His boundless energy keeps him engaged in the worldwide affairs of the company on a daily basis. But his passion is for the machinery that rolls out of every Schwing plant “Another industry would be out of the question for me, “ Schwing states, “I need the noise of the shop around me with the concrete pumps and their 300 horsepower trucks.”
Gerhard Schwing’s enthusiasm for the equipment is only exceeded by his appreciation for concrete pumpers. He is a regular at the World of Concrete where he spends every day on the show floor talking to customers. At the Bauma Fair, held every three years in Munich, he is the host for the American contingent that visits the massive trade show.
“From my very first Schwing pump, a 1977 800-28 right up to the purchase of our S58SX this year, my relationship with Gerhard is more of a partnership than a customer,” explains Steve Merli, president of Merli Concrete Pumping, Gardena, CA. That sentiment is shared by many of the American owners of Schwing equipment who have found Mr. Schwing to be accessible, interested and always helpful.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Schwing said, “I don’t accept this award as personal praise, but rather as recognition for the many entrepreneurs who are the customers for our products.”
