A reliable partner in safety and enclosure technology since 2005.
Company
20 years of BERNSTEIN China - a location with history
Company
A reliable partner in safety and enclosure technology since 2005.
From the first beginnings to the established production site:
BERNSTEIN China has developed continuously over two decades. Behind every milestone are people, decisions and moments that have shaped the site. Take a look back at the most important stages of our journey together.
BERNSTEIN has had its own site in Taicang since 2005 - a move that has not only shown courage, but also foresight.
What once began as a market entry is now a central component of the international group of companies: with its own production facilities, about 80 dedicated employees and a clear focus on customer proximity, quality and cultural ties.
BERNSTEIN Safe Solutions combines technological precision with close partnership - both locally and globally.
A workplace becomes special when people stay - out of conviction.
Our colleague Erica Tao was there from the very beginning and looks back on a time full of development, team spirit and personal stories.
Open, honest and with a lot of heart, she explains why she wouldn't want to miss this journey.
BERNSTEIN China has been an integral part of the Group for two decades - with its own dynamism, great commitment and steady growth.
In this interview, Jan Aßmann looks back on the beginnings, talks about the strategic importance of the location, challenges that have been overcome and provides an outlook for the coming years.
Do you remember your first day at BERNSTEIN in Taicang? What do you remember most about it?
My start date was 9 November 2005, and I felt really honoured to be the first local employee in Taicang. On my first day at work, my duties had nothing to do with my official position; instead, I was assigned to oversee the progress of the renovation team as our factory was still under construction.
What has changed the most in the last 20 years - in your work or in the company as a whole?
With technological advances, the company has made the transition from traditional operating models to digitalisation, which has significantly increased overall work efficiency. At the same time, as competition in the market has intensified, customer expectations and requirements have also changed significantly. The company is adapting to these changes more flexibly and accelerating the localisation process.
Is there a moment or a project that you are particularly proud of?
Shortly after I joined the company, a colleague from BAG visited us at BTC and told me that she had started as an intern and had been with BERNSTEIN for 16 years. I was amazed - what kind of company can inspire such loyalty? Now I understand: a company with a clear development strategy and a stable market position gives its employees confidence in the future. I am proud to be part of this organisation and have been with BERNSTEIN for 20 years now.
What does BERNSTEIN mean to you - professionally, but perhaps also personally?
The growth of BERNSTEIN has run parallel to my personal development. The company has not only offered me career advancement opportunities, but has also become an integral part of my life. When I look back on my 20 years here, I feel great pride and gratitude.
What are your hopes for the coming years at the Taicang site - for your team and for the company?
I hope that under Jan's leadership, the BERNSTEIN Taicang office will achieve sustainable growth and innovation in the coming years and create an increasingly positive, efficient and sustainable working environment.
Mr Aßmann, 20 years of BERNSTEIN Safe Solutions - what does this anniversary mean for you personally and for the Taicang site?
For me personally and for the entire team here in Taicang, this anniversary means a great deal. 20 years of presence in China - that is a strong signal to our customers, or as I like to say to them: We are here to stay! Being successful in a market as dynamic and demanding as China for over two decades is not something to be taken for granted.
What began as a bold step in 2005 is now a mainstay within the BERNSTEIN Group. We are proud to be a reliable and innovative partner for our customers, even beyond China. This anniversary is an expression of our joint successes and motivation to continue our history. It also confirms the strategic positioning of the Group as a family business with German origins but a clear international focus.
When you look back at the beginnings: What were the biggest challenges in setting up the site - and looking back, what worked well?
The decision in favour of Taicang was a stroke of luck: close to Shanghai, part of the strongest economic region in China - and already with several German companies on site at the time. Today, the region has developed into a real cluster of German SMEs with very efficient supply chains. Although I wasn't working for BERNSTEIN back then, my career also began in Taicang 20 years ago. At the beginning, it was a great help to have other German companies in the neighbourhood to provide advice and support.
The biggest challenge was to fulfil the high quality requirements of our European customers right from the start - without compromising. At the same time, we also wanted the BERNSTEIN brand to stand for precision and reliability on the Chinese market and with local customers. Looking back, the decision to focus on China and our customers there and to localise step by step was the right one.
What role does the Chinese subsidiary play within the BERNSTEIN Group today - and how has this role changed over the years?
Our role has changed fundamentally over the years. What began as a cautious market entry is now a central part of the supply chain for the entire group. We are now one of the largest suppliers and also one of the largest customers of our headquarters in Porta Westfalica. Our investments in digitalisation and automation are now visibly paying off in the form of increased efficiency and competitiveness. I am always happy to invite our customers to our modern factory in Taicang. We want to achieve the "WOW" effect for them.
We are proud to automate processes and help shape standards in the Group, be it in logistics, production or the office. Our aim is to be relevant to the Group not only through our sales. But also through our expertise in terms of efficiency, speed and agility, which we are acquiring through the high demands of the local market.
How do you currently perceive the Chinese market - particularly in terms of quality, partnership and technological requirements?
China is no longer just a growth market, but a challenging competitive environment. After a long phase of dominance by foreign players in our industry, local suppliers are now increasingly appearing. This increases the pressure and challenges us. The market is extremely price-sensitive, our customers expect very short delivery times and constant further development of our products. Digital solutions are no longer a unique selling point, but often a basic requirement.
We still enjoy the trust of our customers as a German quality provider, but a good reputation alone is no longer enough. We have to be a technological leader and at the same time be able to serve price-sensitive market segments.
If you take a look into the future: What issues will characterise the next few years in Taicang and beyond?
China will play a leading role in smart manufacturing worldwide. The supply chains are robust, the dynamics remain high, all of which makes Taicang attractive both as a production location and as a future market, even in the long term.
We believe we are well prepared for the future and will continue to expand our efforts towards digitalisation, automation and local value creation. At the same time, we see Taicang as a "fitness centre" for the entire BERNSTEIN Group: what works here in the tough market environment strengthens us worldwide. Efficiency and cost awareness will become even more important in the current difficult economic environment. We are well positioned to continue along this path successfully.
