Frits Schlimback - Managing Partner, MUSS GmbH Agrartechnik
In the heart of Germany's potato cultivation area, MUSS Agrartechnik has succeeded in making a name for itself throughout Germany in the field of climate control, storage, and processing technology within five years. An impressive achievement for the relatively small German company with a Dutch touch. "We strive for conceptual solutions," explains managing partner Frits Schlimback.
Frits Schlimback - Managing Partner
The storage season has just ended, and the new season is already on the doorstep. This is the ideal moment for our customers to check their storage machines and equipment and prepare for the new harvest or plan a new storage facility. This can be seen in the bustling activity at MUSS Agrartechnik in Bad Fallingbostel, in the heart of Lower Saxony.
What exactly do you do?
"In short: climate control, mainly for potatoes, onions, and carrots, but we have also created storage concepts for exotics such as pumpkins or celeriac. In addition, we supply machines related to these products, especially the logistical part up to the roof of the storage. You can also see us as an in-out-store architect. Our range of services includes everything related to potatoes, onions, and carrots. From storage to preservation to processing. Although we occasionally make trips to the Netherlands or Poland, our focus is on the German market."
MUSS has been around for five years. How's it going?
"We realize that we have grown relatively quickly. In five years, we managed to establish a new brand with its own storage concept and leadership nationwide. Additionally, brands like Dewulf-Miedema and Invaro Schouten trusted us to be their partner in Germany at that time. That's what has made us what we are today. Currently, a friendly team of 17 colleagues works at MUSS. We can be proud of that. Our goal is to soon have around 20 employees."
How did you manage that? What makes you different?
"What sets MUSS apart from others is that we offer a complete package that also includes other products and machines. Agricultural entrepreneurs thus get everything from one source and have only one point of contact for their questions and requests. Other companies only offer storage with a specific type of ventilation or machine. This makes us a more attractive partner and ensures that we are more diversified towards customers. We think more conceptually and strive to find efficient and functional solutions. In addition, we are committed to being a good partner in service and maintenance even after the sale."
When talking about market developments and challenges, what comes to mind first?
"We observe a shift in people's eating and consumption habits. Potatoes are expected to play an increasingly important role. The demand for potatoes and especially their products is rising. The available resources in production are becoming scarcer. Innovations will therefore become even more important than before.
Reducing storage losses through more efficient storage is the challenge for the future. However, the biggest problem, which every one of our conversation partners knows, is finding dedicated and competent staff or colleagues. We are absolutely dependent on this to be able to serve our customers optimally. On the other hand, we can already compensate for the labor shortage among our customers in many areas. An ever-advancing automation offers a way out. Within our segment, we see a strong development in the optical sorting of unwashed products and the logistic optimization of crate storage. With Wevano from Emmeloord and VHM from Ens, we have two good partners in the Netherlands offering solutions to these challenges."
A word about core values: What does MUSS stand for?
“Everything revolves around customer relationships. We don't want just a one-time sales contact, but a lasting relationship. WVK is the key to success. It's all about knowledge, reliability, and continuity. We ensure that businesses are supported in every way, even after the sale with service and support. Customers seek relief. Particularly in the storage cycle, they seek the support of specialists. Optimal storage is a complex task. It involves dealing with "living" products that change every year because conditions shift. The storage system must be adapted accordingly. This is a tricky task if you don't deal with it daily. With years of expertise, we position ourselves with our specialist team and tailored training for storage. An important added value for our customers is the successful MUSS Knowledge Portal established last year. Here we offer free webinars for our customers, partners, and all interested parties. The last seminar on "Energy Savings - Optimization in Potato Storage" was well received with great participation.”
You are Dutch. How did you end up here?
“In 1999, I started in this industry as a representative of a Dutch storage specialist. I gained experience, furthered my education, and became sales manager in 2012 and managing director of this company in Germany in 2015. With my family, I moved to the Lüneburg Heath, the company's home, in 2014. So, it was clear to me that I would further develop my career in Germany. Thus, in 2020, I became not only the managing director but also a shareholder of MUSS GmbH, founded in 2018. It was obvious to establish the business in the heart of Lower Saxony, in the most important potato region in Germany. 50% of the potatoes are grown here.”
As a Dutch person, you lead a German company with German employees. How do you manage the company?
“I aim for a no-nonsense culture and have an aversion to hierarchies. For Germans, it may take some getting used to, but I notice they appreciate the short lines of communication. I always have an open ear. Everyone should feel that we are working towards a common goal and that each of us is important. As a managing director, I enjoy and find it important to occasionally go on installations with the technicians and be on-site myself. You learn different stories when you are not just sitting opposite each other at a desk. It is a valuable experience to hear what is going on and how everyone is doing.
By the way, all four shareholders in the company share this attitude. Each of them embodies our MUSS philosophy in their area of responsibility and is an expert in their own function. As a managing director, I am also responsible for sales, but of course, I can only be as good externally as the back office supports me for this.
A well-coordinated team. Twice a year, we hold a company meeting where all employees participate. Then we take enough time to communicate across various levels, reflect, discuss what is going well and what is not, exchange ideas and wishes. Based on this, we try to implement improvements together and also maintain what is working.”
How do you ensure this sense of togetherness at work?
"By organizing fun activities alongside work and relaxing together. We regularly have barbecues, sometimes even spontaneously during lunch breaks. And every year, we go on a company trip for a weekend to the Netherlands or Germany. Often, we combine this with a customer visit where we have completed a project that year. Especially for the colleagues in the office, it's a joy to see what we have achieved together. After all, we have all worked hard for it. It gives a good feeling."
How do you feel about life and work in Germany?
"Germany is a country with many traditions and a sense of togetherness. If you are open-minded and invest a little time in your surroundings, you will quickly be integrated. This is important to me for my family, as I travel a lot. I am now a proud owner of my own house. My children have found friends immediately and integrated effortlessly. But my wife is not only active in the rural women's association, but also has a job. Each of our family members has even become a shooting king or queen in our village. Germans are very social if you engage with them. There are pros and cons. The cost of living is slightly lower than in the Netherlands. But aspects like mobile network and internet are still problematic, although there have been improvements since Corona. The advantage for us is that we are within reach of family and friends. On a Sunday, you can just drive there and back."
Are you interested in a career in climate, storage, and processing technology in the heart of Lower Saxony? MUSS Agrartechnik currently has an open position for a Service and Logistics Manager to fill.
Photo: Rutger Bronts
