philosophy and history:
Long-term orientation for everyone's benefit!

FACTS

1984: At the age of 55 years, Johannes Christophel founded the C. Christophel Maschinenhandlung and Vermittlungen GmbH. With the trust and support of the business friends gained during 30 years of construction machine sales, he started selling used machines for the sand, gravel, and recycling industries. The POWERSCREEN screening plants freed up during the mining strike in Great Britain in the mid-1980's were then imported to Germany, leading to the establishment of direct contact with the supplying factory in Dungannon, Northern Ireland. In the following years, new and used POWERSCREEN plants are imported into Germany. With the entrance of Rüdiger Christophel, the company obtained a representative for Northern Germany. When the wall came down, the sales region was expanded to include the former East Germany. Ever since then, every customer can depend as a partner on fair collaboration. "Whatever lands on the plate also gets eaten." This German saying also applies to the cautious selection of appropriate product accessories. In 1993, Johannes Christophel transferred the Managing Director position to his son Rüdiger. A decision was made to build a company headquarters in Lübeck, and the company moved in to the new building in 1995. Since 1998, the company has been working with TEREX PEGSON and a number of other renowned manufacturers. In the years since the year 2000, the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Northern Hesse were added. Christophel now serves a sales area with over 50 million inhabitants. The move in to the new branch office in Duisburg shows the direction our management will be taking over the long term.

CHRISTOPHEL TODAY:

• Selection:
  A wide variety of plants from selected suppliers.
• Experience:
  Over 100 new machines delivered annually.
• Service:
  20 installers know the ropes.
• Replacement parts:
  A main warehouse with over 6,000 parts.

VIEWS

In the interview, the executive partner Rüdiger Christophel underlines his motives and goals.

What drives you to develop the company like you are?
The path is the goal. I stand for the honest strive to deliver quality. Honesty and quality will gain recognition in the long run. I am firmly convinced of this. Those who follow this principle will also be awarded with opportunities.


What is your part in this and what part do you think your products play?
My part is, in particular, to find like-minded people with the exact same principles who give their best every day for the company, which I have been able to do in the past. Today, good employees carry the company. Hardly any other provider in the equipment market has been able to take this step yet. Usually, the industrial engineering part is a unloved appendage of the construction equipment dealership or this part is taken over by smaller, less efficient dealers. The products are a deciding factor, of course. Powerscreen has made us strong. Due to the emphasis we initially placed on Powerscreen, we have gained an unattainable reputation in the industry, which is why we have access to other first-class manufacturers. With the range of models in CityEquip, we implement the years of experience we have gained without causing conflicts with the associated suppliers.


In the service area, you use trusted subcontractors. People on the outside could think you don't want to take responsibility for the extra personnel. Why do you do this then?
The developments in our personnel prove that I do not shy away from responsibility for our personnel. The real reason is quite simple; the treatment industry is a niche market. On one hand, the customer density is low, but on the other hand, the applications demand well-equipped factories and access to the corresponding "manpower" when demand peaks. Both aspects are best covered by temporary employees. Through training, the installers receive the same amount of training as our own employees.


Where will you be going in the future?
I actually see my function as that of a brake. Live is full of variety and the possibilities are endless. It is important not just to chase after everything that comes by, but to grab those things that make sense over the long term. A product or innovation can never form the basis for long-term success. Unfortunately, it's just not that easy. So instead of chasing after that hope, I would rather honor the wishes of the customer. I can imagine that stationary equipment construction will become a new area of business. This clientele is not being served optimally in my opinion.


Is there anything that bothers you about your job?
When a business partner, regardless of whether a customer, supplier, or employee, claims that self-interest motivates my dealings. It's all about the product for me. Success can only be maintained in the long run when everyone is satisfied. I expect this level of trust, and I also want to make sure this trust is legitimate.


We thank you for this interview.