Compression – Our course is set for the future
Despite a precarious worldwide situation, the Compression Division reported a great fiscal year. Thanks to the employees’ technical expertise and a strong focus on the customer in a difficult environment, the Division successfully grew again and developed new markets.
“ With innovative, low-emission products and a customer-focused service business, the Compression Division is on course for worldwide growth.”
Member of the Executive Board
Generating sales growth of 24 percent compared to the previous year, the 2022 fiscal year even surpassed the pre- COVID level. This success can above all be attributed to the strategic focal areas – innovative products and projects – with which HOERBIGER supports its customers in reducing emissions, boosting the reliability of their machines, and lowering costs.
Successful launch of transformation
The HOERBIGER Emissions Control Panel prevents uncontrolled gas leaks in the compressor. This results in a considerable reduction of emissions and in enhanced safety of the system. Additionally, the new eHydroCOM generation with its stepless capacity control reduces emissions and saves energy costs.
Promising progress was also made with respect to hydrogen mobility, which is being expedited with the new Research Center in Vienna and through the partnership with Ariel Corporation. Together with the U.S. compressor manufacturer, HOERBIGER will build state-of-the-art compression systems for hydrogen filling stations, evolving from a component manufacturer to a systems supplier in H₂ mobility.
HOERBIGER Flow Control is on a growth trajectory. With the acquisition of Johnson Matthey Piezo Products GmbH (now HOERBIGER Motion Control GmbH), the successful market segment is safeguarding its strong growth track and expanding the product portfolio for new applications. With respect to air and industrial compressors, HOERBIGER is focusing heavily on growth in a cost-driven market with a clear strategy and a motivated team.
Strong growth in service
One driver for the strong growth in the service business is the integral approach for greater reliability, efficiency and environmental soundness: HOERBIGER performance experts highlight the improvement potential of the end customers’ compressors and offer added value through upgrades and optimizations. Efficiency increases and energy savings provided by stepless capacity control systems are in particularly high demand.
New cutting-edge offerings include the VISTRA® digital service platform and a customized training program for customers. A pleasant development is presently emerging in the key natural gas markets in North America and Asia, where the situation has now considerably recovered after the difficult previous years.
New plant in China
Despite renewed lockdowns, the Division successfully grew its business in China in 2022 by a total of 15 percent. The ground-breaking ceremony for the new plant in Changzhou in November 2022 was a strong signal for HOERBIGER’s presence in this important sales market. The plant is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023 and will provide more than 250 jobs. In the future, the state-of-the-art 12,700 square-meter production operation will manufacture all product groups of the Compression Division and of the Safety Business Unit for customers from the entire region.
Customer needs are a central priority
For 2023, the Division is anticipating continued growth. The traditional business in the oil and gas industry remains stable. However, developments on the world market warrant continued observation. As a result, the strategy of “Performing while Transforming” will rely on forward-looking projects, innovative solutions and optimized processes. This also includes a further shortening of the delivery times as well as the expansion of capacities.
The “Vision 2030” of the Compression Division not only defines the direction in terms of issues that are relevant for the future, such as emissions reduction and hydrogen mobility, but also encompasses the ongoing development of the corporate culture and employees of HOERBIGER. This combination of forward-thinking business models and technologies in conjunction with highly qualified and dedicated key personnel is expected to appeal to customers in the long run.