“Disruption as a Driver: How METZEN and GERWIN Are Shaping the Future of Industrial Plants”
Interview with Ramin Ghalibaf, CEO, METZEN Industries

An insight into European market trends, life-cycle thinking in conveying technology, and why the acquisition of GERWIN is another key step for the long-term viability of industrial plants in Europe.

Editorial: Mr Ghalibaf, METZEN Industries operates in a challenging environment marked by geopolitical tensions, inflation, supply chain issues, and stricter environmental regulations. How do you assess this complex situation?

Ramin Ghalibaf: We see disruption not merely as a disturbance, but as a driver. Of course, the US-China conflict, new US tariffs on European goods, rising energy prices, and global supply chain risks initially seem like obstacles. But these are also opportunities: those who act adaptively, with technological courage and strategic foresight, can expand their competitive advantage. Today, companies need systems that are not only high-performing, but also flexible and durable.

Editorial: Specifically, how do the US-China conflict and new US tariffs affect METZEN Industries and its partners?

Ramin Ghalibaf: There are direct cost effects due to tariffs on our customers’ key products. At the same time, the geopolitical map shifts. Production and sales markets need reassessment. Our customers use this situation to strategically enter markets where our technological solutions deliver higher value while reducing dependence on specific regions. We support them in developing and maintaining the plants for these markets. METZEN does this for industrial plants and their solutions across the entire life cycle in four key sectors: Materials, Food, Circular Economy, and Energy. We combine engineering expertise, manufacturing capacity, and service into a comprehensive offering.

Editorial: Many companies see inflation and supply chain disruptions as permanent challenges. How do you address these risks?

Ramin Ghalibaf: We rethink supply chains, have long-established regional supplier networks, and enhance them with strategic storage capacities and digital forecasting tools. For our customers, we focus on production efficiency to mitigate inflation-related cost increases. Our approach is simple: minimise risks, maximise responsiveness.

Editorial: EU environmental regulations present major challenges for many mid-sized companies. Are these a constraint or a driver of innovation for METZEN Industries?

Ramin Ghalibaf: For us, they are a clear driver of innovation. We, our customers, and partners invest purposefully in low-carbon production processes, circular economy, and energy-efficient plants. This not only ensures regulatory compliance but also opens new business areas, for example in sustainable industrial solutions for our partners.

Editorial: What does “Disruption as a Catalyst for Innovation” mean for your corporate strategy?

Ramin Ghalibaf: We follow three strategic principles:

1. Resilient value chains: Relocation within Europe, diversification of suppliers, expansion of European production capacities.
2. Technological leadership: Use of automation, AI, and digital platforms to increase efficiency and flexibility.
3. Sustainable growth: Developing solutions and processes that anticipate regulatory requirements and help our customers achieve their own sustainability goals.

Disruption forces us to find new approaches faster. That gives us the opportunity to strengthen our market position.

Editorial: So less “crisis,” more “strategic shift”?

Ramin Ghalibaf: Exactly. We see disruption not as something to “survive,” but as an accelerator for transforming our business. Those who invest boldly, act agilely, and form the right partnerships can turn uncertainty into stability and risks into new markets.

Editorial: What role does GERWIN Silotechnik play in this strategy?

Ramin Ghalibaf: GERWIN is a strategic building block in our Materials Handling division. With decades of experience in Materials, GERWIN complements our portfolio in a core area where innovation, reliability, and efficiency are critical—for example, in gravel, ready-mix concrete, asphalt, and aggregate industries, all essential for large infrastructure projects.

Editorial: How will GERWIN be integrated into METZEN?

Ramin Ghalibaf: GERWIN will continue to operate independently and develop further. At METZEN, we deliberately follow a “speedboat structure”: autonomously acting units, led by experienced managers, with flat hierarchies and a strong team spirit. Few interfaces, clear responsibility, and focus on concrete customer challenges. This fosters outstanding ideas and keeps us agile and fast.

Editorial: What developments do you see in other sectors?

Ramin Ghalibaf: In the Food sector, for example, there is increasing demand for precise conveying technology that meets the highest hygiene standards while remaining cost-effective. In the Energy sector, customers benefit from our manufacturing expertise: we can produce complex steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and special components for transformers, biogas plants, or thermal waste-to-energy facilities ourselves, delivering quickly, flexibly, and to the highest quality.

Editorial: What does this mean for your customers?

Ramin Ghalibaf: Our customers gain deep technical expertise and a genuine end-to-end offering: from planning to manufacturing and installation, through to long-term support with maintenance, optimisation, and retrofits. We focus on modular, networked systems with high levels of automation, always aiming to deliver reliable and economically efficient solutions.

Editorial: What role do your Senior Engineers and AI integration play?

Ramin Ghalibaf: Our Senior Engineers are at the heart of what we do. They bring deep process understanding to develop tailored and cost-effective solutions across different industries. AI is used selectively as a tool to optimise processes, but the decisive insights come from people who interpret the data and take responsibility.

Editorial: Where is METZEN headed?

Ramin Ghalibaf: Our vision is clear: we aim to be the leading partner across the entire life cycle of industrial plant engineering in Europe, with deep sector focus, in-house manufacturing, and an agile team that takes responsibility for quality, availability, and development. Integrating GERWIN Silotechnik is another step in this direction. Together, we create solutions that strengthen Europe as an industrial location. The winners of tomorrow are those who act most decisively today.

Editorial: Thank you very much for the conversation.