Mission & Values
For our customers we achieve excellent results, without sacrificing our human qualities. Open and honest we stand by each other, always treating others respectfully. And we enjoy exceeding ourselves.
Total Information
We are an open book company. Nobody can misuse information as the “currency of power,” as all information is fully accessible to all employees. Decisions are published and shared instantaneously across the organization.
Competence
If people have initiative, knowledge, skills, energy, and guts, they must find an internal investor to back their proposal. Competence grows; it’s not granted by a superior. There’s no formal hierarchy, but we’re not a democracy where everyone has a say in everything. We are a collection of projects with owners making quick decisions and councils providing balance - a monocracy of competence and "Spielfreude"!
Fair Sharing
We do not allow ourselves and others to engage in unfair activities. We do not allow the organization to pressure our people into unfair activities. Without this pressure, our people take full responsibility for their decisions.
Dynamic Development
We are an organization that develops dynamically in multiple dimensions. Everybody is on a growth path. We all have one overriding obligation, to make ourselves dispensable and freely publish our proprietary know-how within the organization to get ready for the next dynamic growth challenge. All our relationships as well as our thinking habits are subject to improvements, all the time.
History
FRABA opens a new R&D center in Romania.
FRABA opens new factory in Malaysia. The new facility will increase manufacturing capacity for large-volume products.
FRABA Group announced the creation of two new business units: UBITO (Wiegand Technology Experts) and CREDEMUS (Digital Transformation).
China office in Shanghai opened.
The business system of "Mass Customization" is launched. The subsidiary INTACTON is discontinued.
In 2011 our R&D center moved to Aachen and our Holding office opened in Heerlen. Meanwhile, our strong growth rate continuous and our workforce grew to 120 people.
We were able to get back to a growth rate of about 28%. FRABA now employes about 100 people.
In July 2009 the first Asian subsidiary has been opened up in Singapore. However due to the economic crisis our business decreased by 25%.
With the creation of the manufacturing plant in Poland, the computerization of manufacturing processes, the new internet-based EDP system, and the foundation of CENTITECH as the first R&D company, the FRABA Group has been able to successfully implement fundamental and future-oriented structural changes. It employs circa 90 employees and was able to achieve an average growth of 12% despite all the internal endeavors.
Since 2000 FRABA has grown by more than 50% while the workforce has increased to 75 people. A new brand was launched (INTACTON) to develop optical motion sensors for measuring length and velocity.
The FRABA workforce has increased to 60 people. In August 2000 the first foreign subsidiary has been opened up in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
FRABA has completed its turnaround and grows profitably. It employs 50 people of which 30 % are highly trained technical specialists or hold master degrees in electronics, physics, mechanical engineering, or business.
The first Optical Safety Edges (OSE) are launched.
Dr. Achim and Christian Leeser and Axel Wiemann take over the company. By now the workforce had decreased to 110 people. With a new management team the new owners completely restructure the company into a group of three independent companies combined by a common Mission and Guiding Principles.
After several bad decisions and missed chances, one nephew sells his shares to his cousin. FRABA employs about 200 people now.
FRABA sells its medical systems division to the Braun, Melsungen company.
Mr. Baumgartner retires at the age of eighty, two nephews take over. FRABA employs 400 people now.
FRABA diversifies with the first mobile dialysis system into medical systems.
FRABA continues with pioneering work in electric and electronic systems and becomes a strong participant in the German "Wirtschaftswunder".
Being a pioneer in electric control systems, Mr. Baumgartner was able to grow to employ 90 highly trained specialists, producing relays for all of Europe.
Mr. Franz Baumgartner founded FRABA based on a patent for a "Petri Switch".
Leaders
Anjan Nachiappa
Anjan joined the company in 2010 and became a partner in 2024. He leads the production facility in Malaysia, leveraging his Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and previous experience in product management at our Singapore office. Anjan has a keen interest in geopolitics and enjoys engaging in discussions on the subject, combining his technical expertise with a global perspective.
Chintan Doshi
Chintan joined the company in 2007 and became a partner in 2016. Based in the Netherlands, he oversees global finance activities and looks after the business in India. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering and has previously worked in our USA and Singapore offices in product management and sales. In his free time, Chintan enjoys kayaking, cooking, and exploring new cultures through travel.
Christian Fell
Christian joined the company in 2000 and was elected as a partner in 2007. He holds a Master’s degree in Physics and has managed a variety of projects, including the development of the platform for our optical encoders. Now based in the USA, he is driving strategic decisions for our inclinometer and rotary encoder divisions. In his free time, Christian loves watching American football and spending quality time with his family.
Christian Leeser
Christian joined FRABA in 1993 when he and his brother acquired the company. They completed a fundamental restructuring while implementing a new value model. Holding a Master’s degree in Business Administration, Christian leverages his extensive consulting background to lead the group and enhance our digital capabilities. He loves spending time with family and friends and staying active through jogging.
Dimitri Pritzkau
Dimitri joined the company in 2010 and became a partner in 2024. Holding a Master’s degree in Physics, he is based in Aachen, where he leads development for inclinometers, with prior experience in product management and development of rotary encoders and safety sensors in door automation. In 2023, he established the FRABA subsidiary in Romania. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active through rock climbing and mountain hiking.
Henning Bieda
Henning joined the company in 2019 and became a partner in 2024. He is located in Germany and leads the global purchasing team, everaging his consulting experience in factory planning and process optimization to drive efficiency and cost savings. Henning holds a Master’s degree in Business Engineering. When he is not at work, he cherishes spending quality time with his family, going to the gym, and skiing.
Dr. Ingo Moench
Ingo joined the company in 2000 and became a partner in 2004. In 2009 he relocated to Singapore to develop our business in Asia. Currently he is leading our global sales activities while being involved in strategic decisions for Marketing and the inclinometer division. Ingo holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and in his free time, he is a passionate photographer and scuba diver, enjoying creative work and nature.
Janine Donovan
Janine joined the company in 2002 and became a partner in 2024. She worked in customer support and logistics, and in 2006, she played a key role in introducing a new digital production concept as leader of our production facility in Poland. Now based in Cologne, she leads our prototype production facility in Aachen. In her free time, Janine enjoys nature, horses and equestrian sports, and quality time with family and friends.
Joerg Paulus
Jörg joined the company in 2003 and became a partner in 2014. Based in Germany, he holds a Master’s in Business Administration and was responsible for developing our fully integrated IT system. Currently, he oversees BI and Reporting, while being involved in strategic decisions for Finance and the rotary encoder division. In his free time, he loves spending time with his family and watching sports.
Markus Schillo
Markus joined the company in 2002 and became a partner in 2014. He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering and previously led our VITECTOR business unit. Now based in Singapore, he focuses on expanding our production capabilities while identifying key suppliers across Asia. In 2022, he successfully established our production facility in Malaysia. In his free time, he enjoys cycling and is a former judo champion.
Dr. Martin Forthaus
Martin joined the company in 2012 and became a partner in 2019. He holds a PhD in Physics and played a crucial role in the development of our Wiegand technology, as well as the asset deal for our VITECTOR business unit. Currently based in Germany, he manages several projects for our linear sensor and door automation divisions. An avid cyclist, Martin uses his bike both for commuting and leisure.
Michael Fink
Michael joined the company in 2011 and became a partner in 2024. He leads our mechanical development team, supervising product design and production equipment. Now living in Germany, he began his journey with FRABA as an intern in the USA. Michael holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and his interests span cars, American football, traveling, hiking and playing badminton.
Dr. Michael Loeken
Michael joined the company in 2008 and became a partner in 2014. Based in Aachen, he leads the development team for our rotary encoder products and Wiegand Technology projects. With a PhD in Physics, Michael brings deep technical expertise to his role, having previously worked in Product Management and Sales. In his free time, he values cycling as a way to relax and stay active.
Paul Schmitz
Paul joined the company in 2014 and became a partner in 2019. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Engineering and previously led our global manufacturing and logistics from Poland. Now back in Germany, Paul leads our process automation and digitization activities. Outside of work, he enjoys playing rugby and coaches a team for under-six children sharing his passion for the sport with the next generation.
Stéphane Walz
Stéphane joined the company in 2017 and became a partner in 2021. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration and is based in France, where he develops our sales network in South EMEA. Stéphane leverages his extensive experience in the industrial sensor sector to support our global marketing and sales efforts. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family and exploring culinary experiences.
Tobias Best
Tobias joined the company in 2017 and became a partner in 2024. He briefly worked in our German office in 1999, focusing on multiturn technology. Currently based in Singapore, he leads UBITO activities, managing various projects related to Wiegand technology. With a diverse background in music, engineering, and language, Tobias brings a unique perspective to his role. In his free time, he cherishes fatherhood and enjoys playing football.
Uwe Kettering
Uwe joined the company in 2008 and became a partner in 2016. He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical and Communications Engineering and initially served as a Product Manager before moving to development. Now, located in Germany, he leads the development team responsible for our electronic components. Uwe enjoys mountain biking, tennis, hiking, and even ice bathing, making the most of outdoor adventures.
Wojciech Pajak
Wojciech joined the company in 2006 and became a partner in 2015. Based in Poland, he holds degrees in Law and Engineering. After serving for many years as a Product Manager and overseeing our manufacturing activities, he now leads our sales efforts in the EMEA region. In his free time, Wojciech enjoys playing football, exploring his passion for cars, and relaxing while reading books or traveling.
