The family-run GRIMME Group from Damme (Germany) increased its turnover by 14.8 % to € 721 million in 2023. German-based companies GRIMME Landmaschinenfabrik, INTERNORM and RICON, as well as SPUDNIK (USA) and ASA-LIFT (Denmark) and the 21 sales and service companies managed to significantly increase turnover of the GRIMME Group.
GRIMME is active in over 120 countries around the world with an export share of 82 %. Despite a more difficult market environment and thanks to extensive optimization as part of the “One.GRIMME” strategy, the earnings situation improved. In the last five years, 500 new jobs have been created worldwide, meaning that more than 3,300 people are now employed at the 31 locations of GRIMME.
This year, the family owned company launched the largest investment program in the company’s 160-year history. A state-of-the-art administration building with 180 workplaces is currently under construction in Damme. Older factory buildings are being extensively refurbished so that attractive workplaces can be created for the future. The plant for self-propelled harvesters and the plant for webs and conveying technology (RICON) were built in 2011. A 15 000 m² assembly plant for trailed harvesting technology, a 2 600 m² shipping hall and a 3 200 m² used machinery center will be built nearby this site in 2024/25. An administrative wing with social rooms will be added to all buildings. In the USA, a new sales and service location is also being established in Heyburn/Idaho.
Growth potential
Despite the generally difficult situation in the agricultural machinery industry, sales for 2024 are stable thanks to good producer prices and high demand for innovative machines.
The vegetable sector demands further solutions in mechanization, which offers great growth potential for GRIMME. Further opportunities can be observed in the emerging continents of Africa and Asia. Increased interest rates, high machine inventories at manufacturers and dealers, currency fluctuations, a shortage of skilled labor and international crises are the other side of the coin and call for prudent action.
The GRIMME Group continues to grow and is managed now by Christoph and Philipp Grimme in the fifth generation. Franz and Christine Grimme are present in the company on a daily basis and support the generational transition with their experience. ‘We are very proud that our parents have trusted us to run the GRIMME Group for eight and five years respectively. We also have an unbeatable team that supports us in all matters, which we are very proud of and are tackling the ever-increasing challenges together,’ say Christoph and Philipp Grimme.
Global company
Family owned company GRIMME was founded in 1861 as a forge in Damme (Germany). Currently, more than 3,300 employees work worldwide for the group of companies, which consists of SPUDNIK (USA), ASA-LIFT (Denmark), INTERNORM (Damme, Germany), RICON (Rieste, Germany), Schmiede.One (Düsseldorf, Germany) and GRIMME Landmaschinenfabrik (Germany). Grimme machines are sold in over 120 countries by local dealers. Grimme has its own subsidiaries and service agencies in key markets.