What is particularly pleasing is that our new member company BURG Lüling GmbH & Co. KG has also been offering a new product in its “Niro” series since July 2024. There could hardly be a more fitting start to a membership. The foundation stone for the successful company was laid on July 1, 1890 by the founding father Friedrich Wilhelm Lüling. Now in its fourth generation, BURG stands for innovative mechanical and electronic locking system solutions for metal products, office furniture, fittings and switch cabinets. BURG also provides property security for sports and office facilities. Our new member company offers solutions with app, numerical code, RFID and energy-efficient radio technology, which enables wireless networking of locking systems.
Many people are familiar with the handle shell as the best-known standard lock used on tool and material cabinets. BURG has been producing these mechanical handle solutions “Made in Germany” for many decades and has moved with the times. The product portfolio has recently been expanded to include the electronic handle solution “Qleo”, which can be operated with a numerical code, RFID transponder and app. Confirmation and proof of the high-quality product is the award of the German Design Award 2024 “Excellent Product Design”. The company is supported by a team of 230 employees at two locations. In addition to its headquarters in Hagen, BURG also has a production facility in Tisá in the Czech Republic.
BURG also looks for the perfect solution for individual customer requests; development, production, assembly and service all come from a single source. Just as the Niro Smartlock series is an integral part of the new member’s product portfolio, NIRO is delighted that BURG is now part of the network and is using its knowledge and experience to make the network even more secure in the sense of a lock expert.
5 questions for Mr. Achim Lüling, CEO, BURG Lüling GmbH & Co.KG
NIRO: Mr. Lüling, welcome as a new member of the Industrie RuhrOst network!
Your company is now joining our network. What was the main reason for you to become a member of NIRO?
Achim Lüling: Ms. Lange’s presentation of NIRO showed that there is a network here that connects regional companies with each other in a proactive and beneficial context. It seems that topics are discussed and shared that are current and targeted. Another advantage is the openness with which topics are dealt with.
NIRO: Which topics are currently particularly important in your company? What should be discussed in the network? What role does sustainability play at BURG Lüling GmbH & Co KG?
Achim Lüling: Exactly, sustainability is a key issue that we will be focusing on in the coming years. In addition, there is the bundling of purchasing volumes with other companies and the issue of recruiting and developing specialist staff.
NIRO: Which products, services or innovations from BURG Lüling GmbH & Co. KG could also be of interest to other NIRO member companies?
Achim Lüling: The main focus here is on the following: BURG deals with mechanical and digital locking solutions in the furniture sector – especially in switch cabinet and housing construction, as well as in relation to window security. BURG can make a contribution in the area of New Work and mapping in the building sector.
As a second focus, BURG offers customer-specific development services in the area of digital locking solutions with a targeted BDV process. BURG continues to offer its customers zinc die casting production on a contract basis. This also includes powder coating as well as the assembly and logistics activities of our subsidiary in the Czech Republic. Thanks to daily transportation and the German-speaking management on site, there are no logistical or language barriers.
NIRO: What current challenges do you see for your company due to increasing digitalization processes and to what extent could being part of NIRO be helpful?
Achim Lüling: At BURG, we distinguish between three key areas: the digitalization of products and services, the digitalization of processes and the digitalization of production systems. The biggest challenge lies in the sharp rise in investment coupled with drastically shortened product life cycles. It would be interesting for us to discuss with member companies how they are developing and implementing their digitalization strategy.
NIRO: And finally, a bit of wishful thinking: Which event can NIRO plan for you or your team?
Achim Lüling: We would be delighted to discuss the following topics: the tension between targeted HR development against the backdrop of the different “generations” and an exchange of views in our own interest on the topic of “Advantages of sourcing from Eastern Europe vs. in-house production in Germany”. Questions on sustainability strategy and dealing with the Supply Chain Act are also high on our agenda, as well as the development of a target image and the implementation of a digitalization strategy.
NIRO: Thank you very much for answering the questions and we look forward to working with you!
