Customers

Customers in all of Europe

(aus einem Pressebericht zum Viernheimer Stadtjubiläum)

Gigantic steel banisters are stored next to colossal pipes, metal walls and circular mega-containers in the factory building of the Viernheim based Babylon steel construction enterprise.

Production of steel construction

But this supposed mess does have a concept behind it: The banister is going to become a new pedestrian footbridge over the train tracks in Mannheim-Rheinau. The gigantic pipes are part of a machine case, which are going to be delivered to a power station.

A minimum of ten steel workers weld, screw and mount individualized steel constructions for important customers in all of Europe – all that taking place in the production building that extends to approx. 1000 square meters.

In the adjacent modern administrative building three employees organize the commercial business.

That hasn’t always been the case.The business, now located in the commercial district of Viernheim, was started as a one-ma-enterprise 54 years ago.

“My dad founded a water installation company and I was his first trainee”, remembers Inge Stumpf, the former managing director. At the age of 14 she started an apprenticeship as a locksmith in her father’s company –and thus ventured into a male domain. Inge Stumpf had been working with ardent zeal for 11 years, after which she changed to field servic

Repair services only

There was a lot do! In the first couple of years after World War II the young enterprise was completely geared to repair services. Only two years later, the expansion of the steel construction enterprise was set forth.

Business flourished. In 1955 the order situation was exceeded locally and first business contacts were set up – Babylon became a supplier for industry. This business line developed so favorably, that in April 1976 Babylon moved to Viernheim’s industrial area, the Zeppelinstrasse to expand, explains Peter Schmitt, head of the Commercial Department.

The new Generation

With the death of company founder Heinrich Babylon in 1976, Inge Stumpf and her husband Hans took over the management of the business - until eight years ago. Since 2000 Heinrich Stumpf jun. has been conducting the business.

Broad spectrum through sound education and further training

The wind of change is blowing in the country and Babylon has felt the difficult economic situation as well. But in contrast to many a large-scale enterprise the Viernheim based medium-sized business has found a cure for the drop in orders: We have always tried to cover a broad spectrum. “By specialization you are too dependent on the economic situation”, says Peter Schmitt.

Another important factor is the continuous investment in sound education and fur ther training of the employees. Every two years a new trainee is employed – either as an office worker or as a metal worker. As a rule, Babylon offers its trainees a solid job after their education.