ASSA ABLOY acquires MESSERSCHMITT Systems: Marcus Nettelbeck and Jörg Teunissen on perspectives and opportunities
If it fits, it fits: ASSA ABLOY, a leading global provider of secure access solutions, took over MESSERSCHMITT Systems on April 2. In the interview, Dr.-Ing. Jörg Teunissen, VP MESSERSCHMITT Group, and Marcus Nettelbeck, VP & Head of Europe| Hospitality, answer questions about how this takeover came to be, what advantages it can bring for the business and customers, and many more.
What was the process of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions taking over MESSERSCHMITT Systems?
Jörg Teunissen: MESSERSCHMITT Systems had been a point of interest for a long time because of our strong market position. Now was the right time to integrate, so that both companies can meet changing market conditions and current trends in the hospitality industry.
Marcus Nettelbeck: For ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, the complementary product portfolio of MESSERSCHMITT Systems is the perfect addition to what we currently offer, allowing us to further strengthen our market position and enable us to offer our customers an even more comprehensive range of solutions.
What strengths do both companies bring to the partnership?
Marcus Nettelbeck: ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions is already well established in major hotel chains, while MESSERSCHMITT Systems is particularly prominent in the niche of privately managed luxury hotels. This combination will enable us to effectively serve an even broader range of customers in future.
Jörg Teunissen: Together, we have more than 80 years of market experience that we can now incorporate into our product development and offerings.
What are the advantages of this partnership for customers?
Jörg Teunissen: One of the biggest advantages for our customers is that they can now choose from a very broad, modular, customizable product portfolio, as we have combined our product lines.
Marcus Nettelbeck: On top of this, synergies in service and project management enable us to plan and implement projects and customer requirements even faster and more efficiently in areas such as room management and locking systems. Our ultimate goal is to further increase customer satisfaction.
What does the integration mean for the sales activities of both companies?
Jörg Teunissen: The takeover gives us access to a huge product portfolio that offers comprehensive solutions from a single source – a crucial competitive advantage.
Marcus Nettelbeck: As well as this, we will optimize our sales activities and this bundled competence will enable us to react quicker to customer needs and market demands.
What roles do sustainability and social responsibility play in the overall strategy?
Marcus Nettelbeck: Sustainability is at the heart of the ASSA ABLOY Group, in that we strive for continuous improvement throughout the entire value chain. For example, we conduct an annual employee survey which is used to identify and implement specific improvements.
Jörg Teunissen: Because sustainability has always been in focus at MESSERSCHMITT Systems, we have aligned all of our corporate activities in a responsible and environmentally-friendly manner – from product development and production to supply chains and our corporate values. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the sustainability strategy at ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions in this way.
How do you see the future of MESSERSCHMITT Systems within ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions?
Jörg Teunissen: As part of ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, we at MESSERSCHMITT Systems can closely integrate our systems and significantly expand our brand with a strong partner in the background.
Marcus Nettelbeck: We envision a future in which we unlock new markets and drive forward our internationalization, especially in the DACH region and the Middle East. The integration of MESSERSCHMITT Systems into the ASSA ABLOY Group provides us with a common platform and the necessary resources to achieve our goals and increase operational efficiency.
Ultimately, we will be able to offer our customers an intelligent infrastructure for integrated access and room management that will reduce costs and increase operational efficiency. This gives hotel staff more time to concentrate on their core task: the well-being of their guests.