Service is also a crucial component

When it comes to change, external challenges are even more critical than the internal ones. After Lewa’s ownership changed hands in 2005, clients were adamant that Lewa continue delivering the quality they were accustomed to. Meeting or beating past standards thus became the objective.

 A refinery cannot function without pumps. And many of the substances that flow through the pipes must not escape these closed-circuit systems, because of the potential hazards to humans and the environment. Stephan Almasy, Senior Expert for Rotating Equipment at Austria-based OMV AG, has been familiar with Lewa products for years. The first ones he encountered were installed shortly after the engineer joined OMV, a leading European oil and gas provider. That was 35 years ago. Although some of the original pumps have now been replaced, Almasy still relies on the technology and quality delivered by Lewa for mission-critical tasks.

He kept a watchful eye on things when DBAG invested in the company. “Service competence is a key issue for us,” he says. “Quality sometimes deteriorates when a new owner comes in.” Yet the ownership change in 2005 was, he adds, a “smooth transition”, without any “negative implications for us”. He looks to the future confidently and expects the new owner to take clients and their needs just as seriously. Even more importantly, the company will be offering an expanded product range. “Lewa’s broader market presence suits us just fine,” he openly admits.