TOOL TIMES - Apex Tool Group – Power Tools

10 

2012 

www.apexpowertools.eu 

Content 

3 Economy meets sports 

4 

5 

11 

13 

14 

18 

Edition 

October 

The Apex Tool Group is 

a “Fair Company” 

Apprentices at the Apex 

Tool Group 

Aren’t they cute? 

Image video realized 

The Apex Tool Group 

as an employer - Field 

reports 

The Apex Tool Group 

as an employer - Currently 

open positions 

TOOL TIMES 

The magazine for clients, distributors and friends of the Power Tools-sector 

MOTEK 2012 - Our products page 8 

MOTEK 2012 - Our partners page 12

2 

TOOL TIMES10 

Editorial 

MOTEK, here we go! 

Dear readers, 

I had already mentioned it in the previous editions and now it is already arriving: 

The MOTEK 2012 opens its gates for the 31st time. 

The Apex Tool Group is once more present with an impressive stand in hall 1 

and is very much looking forward to your visit. During the four show days, our 

strong brands are waiting for you with nine exhibition displays. 

This year, we are offering our visitors a sweepstake for the first time on the 

stand: Win daily an Amazon Kindle Touch and on the last show day a 4-day 

tour with a Harley-Davidson. 

As exciting as our sweepstake, the last two months have been in Westhausen. 

Again, we sponsored the competitive swimming sport of the MTV Aalen with 

500 Euros. Additionally, we received the title „Fair Company“ from the magazine 

„Karriere“. New apprentices started their professional life in our house. On 

the contrary, we released five apprentices into their „real“ professional life. I am 

also happy about the numerous open job positions which we are currently offering. 

How work life feels at the Apex Tool Group is reported by some apprentices, 

holiday workers and graduates in this edition. And I am especially happy 

about two initiatives which have been realized by some of our employees: On 

the one hand, we were able to create a first image video for potential employees 

and on the other hand, some employees‘ children make up a fantastic 

calendar with our tools. Herewith, I would like to thank all participants and I am 

looking forward to more nice ideas like these in the future. 

Sincerely, Andreas Kowol 

General Manager

Economy meets sports 

Apex Tool Group promotes competitive sports 

Apex Tool Group, the renowned 

tool manufacturer in Westhausen, 

can look on a very successful development 

for its innovation and 

expertise in the field of industrial 

pneumatic and power tools. 

Just like the swimming department of 

MTV Aalen which can look back on 

a very successful competition season 

in 2012 with numerous championships. 

Four swimmers took part in the German 

Championships in Berlin with 

top performances and also many 

regional titles (Baden-Württemberg) 

could be accomplished. 

“To guarantee the high level of swimming 

as a competitive sport in the future, 

the Apex Tool Group supports 

the swimming department of the MTV 

with a donation of 500 Euros” underlined 

Antje Kucher-Freudenthal of the 

company Apex Tool Group, who on 

behalf of General Manager Andreas 

Kowol, handed the check to department 

chief Dietmar King. 

King thanked the Apex Tool Group for 

their support and stressed that competitive 

sports at this level are often 

closely connected to great expenses, 

such as costs for accommodation 

and travel costs or even an annual 

training camp. 

Cheque donation at Aalen‘s swimming pool. 

10TOOL 

TIMES 

power your productivity 

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The Apex Tool Group is a “Fair Company” 

Approved for participation in initiative 

From now on, we are qualified to 

call ourselves “Fair Company”! 

After a successful application 

procedure, we are now a member 

of the initiative “Fair Company”. 

The initiative “Fair Company” of the 

career magazine “Karriere” sets 

clear conditions for interested companies: 

n Fair Companies do not substitute 

full-time positions with internees, 

trainees, guest students or permanent 

temporary jobs. 

n Fair Companies do not put off 

graduates with an internship when 

they apply for a full-time position. 

n Fair Companies do not lure internees 

with vague perspectives for a 

following full-time position. 

n Fair Companies offer internships 

primarily for a professional orientation 

during the period of education. 

n Fair Companies pay interns an 

adequate allowance. 

n Fair Companies inform interns 

about the norms and point out the 

feedback address. 

n Fair Companies are transparent 

and communicate online their participation 

in the initiative. 

After a thorough examination by 

the initiative, the Apex Tool Group 

GmbH & Co. OHG has been accepted 

for the program. This makes 

us especially proud since it stands 

for another proof of our effective and 

successful promotion of young talents. 

We have always paid very much attention 

to the development of our 

young specialists and executive 

managers. In times of a lack of specialists 

and executive managers, already 

the acquisition of them is very 

challenging. Therefore, we keep up 

with the times and update our knowledge 

as well. 

Further information about the initiative 

is available on www.karriere.de/ 

startseite/fair-company/. Further information 

about our career possibilities 

can be found on www.apexpowertools.eu/de/karriere.html.

Apprentices at the Apex Tool Group 

Freshmen and old stagers 

Also in this year the Apex Tool 

Group has employed new trainees. 

The ten apprentices are trained as 

specialists in logistics, cutting machine 

operators, mechanotricians 

and industrial clerks. Furthermore, 

there is the training as an IT specialist 

since this year. 

Some of the new trainees spoke with 

ToolTimes about their first few weeks. 

On behalf of the apprentices of the 

industrial clerks, Julia Riedmüller and 

Annika Zeller told us about their training. 

Edit.: You have been here at the Apex 

Tool Group for some weeks now. Can 

you tell us something about the reasons 

why you’ve chosen the Apex 

Tool Group? 

J.R.: The Apex Tool Group is famous 

in the region for being a good employer. 

A.Z.: Yes, the Apex Tool Group is a 

future-oriented company, in which the 

take over is guaranteed. 

Edit.: What are your tasks as industrial 

clerks? 

A.Z.: This job is versatile. Industrial 

clerks capture the material requirements 

in the production area and are 

in charge of soliciting bids and the 

settlement with the suppliers. Further- 

more, they can also be found in the 

HR department. There, they have to 

compile the organizational- and service 

plans. Moreover, they carry out 

payroll and devise advanced training. 

Another area is the sales department. 

As you see the job is very comprehensive. 

Edit.: And is the company preparing 

you well? 

J.R.: Definitely. Our training plan 

specifies exactly when we have to be 

in a department. Because of that, we 

can gain insight e.g. in the purchasing, 

controlling, HR, logistics and service 

departments. 

Edit.: What do you like most about 

the Apex Tool Group? 

J.R.: The working atmosphere is very 

nice, the employees are always very 

kind and support us if there is any 

problem. Besides there is the opportunity 

– if you work for an international 

group such as the Apex Tool Group – 

to go abroad after three years of training, 

for example to the United States. 

Edit.: The Apex Tool Group offers 

every year a special day for all the 

trainees. Could you tell us something 

about that? 

A.Z.: To get to know the other trainees 

and being one team, the company 

tenders us a getaway. 

J.R.: This year we went to Munich 




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and visited the company Spinner 

which produces high-frequency systems. 

After that, we’ve gone on to the 

monastery in Andechs for lunch and 

to the Ammersee. All in all, it was a 

very nice day which accomplished its 

goal. 

Edit.: Thank you and we wish you the 

best for your training. 

J.R. & A.Z. : No problem. 

Almost at the same time, five ap- 

prentices completed their apprenticeship 

at the Apex Tool Group, 

some of them even earlier than 

planned. Niko Schindelaz, Romina 

Ifland, Stefan Rathgeb, Markus 

Hahn and Andreas Schlee were released 

into their professional life 

during a ceremony. 

In this article we present you Andreas 

Schlee who is talking about his completed 

training as a mechanotrician at 

the Apex Tool Group. 

Edit.: Hello Andreas, could we interrupt 

you for a second? 

A.S.: Sure, no problem. What do you 

want? 

Edit.: You’ve chosen the Apex Tool 

Group for your training. Can you give 

us some reasons why? 

A.S.: There are some reasons why 

I’ve decided to spend the training 

here. First of all, the Apex Tool Group 

is famous for being a company that 

cares about its employees and that 

there’s an excellent working atmosphere. 

Also, the products, which are 

manufactured here, were a reason 

to apply for a training. Furthermore, 

I think the application areas of the 

products are very exciting. 

Edit.: Was there anything you liked 

most as a trainee?

A.S.: As I said before, the working atmosphere 

here is a very good one. 

Moreover, the company has a diversified 

education. Within the three years 

of training, we get to know many 

departments. For example material 

processing, small digital control, mechanical 

assembly, electronic installation 

and mechanical production. 

Edit.: Now you’ve completed your 

training and you are a mechanotrician. 

What are your tasks? 

A.S.: As a mechanotrician, I’m in 

charge of the assembly, both electronically 

and mechanically. This also 

includes the installation of the products 

at our customers. 

Edit.: How did the department incorporate 

you? 

A.S.: Very well. In the three years 

of training we already had to work 

in the relevant departments for several 

weeks, so the colleagues knew 

me already. Also during my time as a 

trainee, all the employees were very 

kind and supported me. 

Edit.: What about further education? 

Are you encouraged by the company? 

A.S.: Absolutely. The company is interested 

in employees who want a 

further education. For that reason, we 

can remain at the forefront of technical 

developments and offer our cus- 

tomers the optimum quality. 

Edit.: We thank you for your time and 

wish you the best for the future. 

A.S.: No problem, have a nice day. 

The apprentices with General Manager A. Kowol, Head 

of workers‘ council K. Müller, trainer A. Frankenreiter, 

Director Human Resources F. Gebhardt and Head of 

Training H. Weng (from left). 




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MOTEK 2012 

Our products 

Heavy duty. Reliable. Versatile. Material 

Removal Tools by Dotco and 

MasterPower. 

The ergonomically designed pneumatic 

tools for demanding material 

removal from Dotco and MasterPower 

are known for their durability and 

a high reliability of the equipment as 

well as the accessories – your ideal 

pneumatic tools for industrial fastening, 

drilling, cutting, grinding and polishing 

applications. 

Powerful. Economic. Cordless. 

LiveWire Battery Tools by Cleco. 

If you appreciate the freedom and 

flexibility of cordless tools and do not 

want to compromise the cost-effectiveness 

and safety, then LiveWire 

cordless tools from Cleco are the 

right choice. Because these cost-effective 

solutions are optimally suited 

for joints which are safety-critical and 

must also be documented. With the 

tightening controllers of the mPro400 

series, you can utilize up to 16 cordless 

tools with each controller. 

Flexible. Lean. Modular. Virtual 

Tether – Tool monitoring and localization 

by Cleco. 

The Virtual Tether System (VTS) localizes 

and monitors your assembly 

tools via Ultra Wide Band (UWB). 

This solution, which is standardized 

for our Cleco product range, can be 

easily integrated into your existing 

business-wide network consisting 

of tools, facilities and products. Increase 

your process reliability and 

ensure that each tool is only used in 

the designated areas.

Cordless. Flexible. User-friendly. 

LiveWire I-Wrench by Cleco. 

The Cleco wireless LAN torque 

wrench is a true all-rounder. It is the 

perfect tool for the quality control of 

the components. Beyond that, it is 

also well suited for your production, 

since it allows you to perform various 

tightening strategies relating to torque 

/ angle and the data is automatically 

transmitted to a tightening controller 

via WiFi. 

The fitness program for your DGD 

tightening technology. We redefine 

Service. 

By replacing outdated components 

and adding new state-of-the-art 

technological advancements, existing 

tightening systems are brought 

up to date again. The advantage for 

the system operator: A modern facility 

and the related security as well as 

increased productivity at much lower 

costs, compared to the acquisition of 

a respective new system. 

Compact. Versatile. Proven. Intelligent 

Mini Spindle by DGD. 

The new mini-spindle with proven 

DGD technology is ideal for performing 

tightening tasks in confined 

spaces such as car interiors. The application 

example below shows the 

automated creation of safety-critical 

joints for panoramic sunroofs. We 

also recommend them for safety-critical 

joints with robots. The controlling 

and power supply is established via 

a robot-compatible hybrid cable. According 

to the number of channels, 

the corresponding DGD tightening 

controller will be used. 




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Durable. Economic. Low maintenance. 

Pulse Tools H-series by 

Cleco. 

The pulse tools with an automatic 

shut-off are convincing due to their 

low air consumption, extremely long 

operating times per service interval, 

reaction free operation with an excellent 

repeatability, as well as a low vibration 

and noise level. With that, you 

are able to perform virtually any kind 

of tightening task quickly and reliably. 

Unbeatable productivity and comfort. 

Pneumatic Assembly Tools of 

the 19-series by Cleco. 

The Cleco 19-series pneumatic assembly 

tools are the ideal solution to 

perform even the most demanding 

fastening applications, which require 

precise torques, extreme shut-off accuracy 

and repeatability as well as 

durability. Increase your productivity 

and opt for the most accurate, durable 

and user-friendly range of screwdrivers 

on the market. 

Bits, Sockets & Fastening Accessories 

by Apex.

Aren‘t they cute? 

Our new calendar 2013 

The team was really curious about 

the result: Now, it has arrived! The 

children calendar of the Apex Tool 

Group. 

Three employees and a working 

student were necessary to plan and 

realize the project. 14 children of our 

employees (including their parents) 

were necessary to get these beautiful 

pictures. 

The children work with various tools 

of the Apex Tool Group. Because this 

has always been obvious: Our tools 

are ergonomic and can be used like 

a child‘s play. Who else could demonstrate 

this fact better than our 

in-house offspring? 

In our industry sector, this calendar 

is one of a kind. It will be introduced 

officially at the MOTEK 2012. If you 

would like to order an a copy, please 

feel free to contact the ToolTimes 

Team. 




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MOTEK 2012 

Our partners: EnBW Ostwürttemberg DonauRies AG 

The ODR operates using their 

proximity and their local presence 

on a defined regional market with 

intelligent, comprehensive economic 

power solutions at competitive 

prices. 

Expertise and infrastructure will enable 

the ODR to pre-bundle all activities 

in the market fields of power such 

as electricity, gas, water, sewage and 

telecommunications. 

The construction of all these supply 

lines should be centralized and coordinated 

in order to perform construction 

works cost-effectively, quickly 

and efficiently for the customer. 

The key pillar of the company is the 

electricity and gas business. The core 

business of energy is complemented 

by the commitment in promising areas. 

For the Motek this year, EnBW will 

be our partner providing one of their 

electric bikes, a so-called E-Bike. 

Whether for fun, dynamic, environmental 

awareness, low maintenance 

cost, or all reasons together. No matter 

what drives you when you buy a 

new vehicle - the EnBW E-Bike of- 

fers a new driving experience without 

compromise and is completely powered 

with electricity. 

The E-Bike symbolically stands for 

the cycle industry which is mainly 

supplied with screwdrivers of the 

brand Cleco and accessories of the 

brand Apex. 

The EnBW E-Bike with kind support 

of the EnBW Ostwürttemberg Donau- 

Ries AG.

Image video realized 

„We are the Apex Tool Group!“ 

One of the principles of the Apex 

Tool Group relates to our employees: 

„The best - one team.“ 

To be able to maintain this principle in 

the future, the Apex Tool Group has 

produced a promotional video. In this 

movie, both staff and trainees in various 

professions are telling about their 

experience with the Apex Tool Group 

and the motivation to give their best 

for this employer. 

For example, Guido Schäffer works at 

the Apex Tool Group in the mechanical 

production as a tool programmer 

since 1971. At the time, the company 

was recommended to him by his father 

who also worked there. 

It becomes clear that the Apex Tool 

Group has emerged as a safe company 

for workers for several decades. 

Likewise, the international profile of 

the company becomes clear, which is 

also reflected in the staff. 

Employees are informing about the 

qualities of the Apex Tool Group as 

an employer, such as the adoption of 

proposals for improvement through 

superiors. 

Whether development engineers, 

software developers, mechanotricians, 

staff for the sales department, 

cutting machine operators or students, 

trainees or graduates: With 

the Apex Tool Group, you will find a 

diverse, global employer in which 

our international customers are also 

trusting. 

The participants had a lot of fun contributing 

to the new image video. 




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The Apex Tool Group as an employer 

Field report: Summer job in the Marketing department 

An interview for a summer job? 

I was not really familiar with this 

procedure until I came to Apex 

Tool Group. Also new to me: being 

welcomed by my future boss 

in Spanish. 

So I quickly realized that in the Marketing 

team of the Apex Tool Group, I 

had to expect challenging and varied 

tasks. 

My name is Fabian Wieser. I study 

teaching for primary and secondary 

school at the University of Education 

Schwäbisch Gmünd - starting my 

5th Semester in October - and I have 

been periodically working in this department 

since the beginning of my 

studies. 

So far, I was able to put my skills to 

the test in many different areas. In my 

first weeks, I started with updating 

the in-house database which meant 

as much as making phone calls over 

and over again, eventually until my 

voice was hoarse. 

Thereby, I had to discover that the 

“Apex Tool Group”, even with very 

close business partners, was not really 

well known due to the recently realized 

change of name. Accordingly, I 

got to hear a few times: “Apex, what 

is that? [...] Oh, Cooper Power Tools, 

why didn’t you tell me so?” 

Here I could also train my still very 

Swabian “High German” for my studies 

because the contacts of the company 

are, of course, reaching far beyond 

our little region. 

However, work quickly became more 

extensive, varied and - I must admit 

at this point - even a bit more enjoyable. 

I revised the layout of company presentations 

in all sorts of languages - 

including, for example, Russian - or 

designed a product description from 

the technical specifications of the latest 

tools of Apex Tool Group for the 

newsletter. 

Ultimately, I was then re-functioned 

into the house photographer. I photographed 

everything from the smallest 

Cleco pneumatic pulse tool to the 

new “Apex Tool Group” logo painted 

on the front building and finished it afterwards 

with the corresponding programs. 

“Girl Friday” is probably the right word 

for what I have been doing here and

that is why the job is so interesting to 

me. Due to the wide range of activities, 

you get an insight into a variety 

of things. 

Nevertheless, the best thing is that 

the results of my work are visible, 

whether a finished article and edited 

photos for the newsletter or creating a 

new contact person in the database. 

In addition, I was very well received 

and integrated in the small Marketing 

team from the very beginning. Even 

if you have to get used to a large office 

with its constant “noise” and continual 

up and down, an atmosphere 

in which people like to work was created 

right from the start by friendly 

colleagues, not only in Marketing, but 

also by graduates writing their thesis 

and other holiday workers. 

Edit.: We would like to thank Mr. Wieser 

for his contribution and wish him 

all the best for his professional- and 

private future. 




I am discussing an engineering drawing with a colleague to get to 

know the products a little better. 

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Life of a bachelor candidate 

Sabine Deutschmann reports on 

her time with the Apex Tool Group 

in Westhausen. 

„I am a student of International Business 

Administration at the University 

of Applied Sciences in Aalen. I was 

employed at the Apex Tool Group 

GmbH & Co. OHG in Westhausen 

for writing my Bachelor’s thesis 

from March 1st, 2012 till August 1st, 

2012. The much cited lack of specialists 

and executive staff in Germany 

aroused my great interest for the term 

„employer branding“. Therefore, I decided 

on writing my Bachelor’s thesis 

about this research field. 

Since the location of the Apex Tool 

Group is very rural and the company 

has to fight a war for talents with 

well-known other local employers, 

this company appeared to be ideal 

to realize my topic in the field of external 

employer branding. The focus 

of the thesis was on the elaboration 

of a concept to win qualified junior 

employees who graduated in engineering- 

and natural- and business 

sciences. To be able to develop such 

a concept for the Apex Tool Group, I 

conducted a survey among the students 

of the University of Applied 

Sciences in Aalen. This survey gave 

valuable clues about which characteristics 

of an employer are important 

to students, when and by whom they 

would like to be informed about potential 

employers or job openings and 

which information channels they use 

to get informed about potential employers 

and job openings. Additionally, 

I conducted a survey among competitors 

of the ATG to find out how 

other medium-sized companies in the 

region are affected by the lack of specialists 

and executive staff, which employer 

branding activities are realized 

by other companies and how these 

companies recruit the target group of 

junior employees successfully. 

With the help of the results of these 

surveys, I was able to create a detailed 

concept for the Apex Tool 

Group which is oriented to the needs 

of the target group and which enables 

the company to address and attract 

the relevant persons directly and effectively. 

The recommended activities 

considered in this new employer 

branding concept include for example 

a stronger presence at the University 

of Applied Sciences in Aalen, appearances 

in social media channels or 

ads in traditional print media. 

I enjoyed the cooperation with the

Apex Tool Group very much. Since 

the topic employer branding is a 

shared task of the Marketing- and HR 

departments, I worked closely with 

both departments. My colleagues accepted 

me as a full team member. 

The ATG offers bachelor candidates 

not only an attractive salary, but also 

a very pleasant working environment 

and the possibility to bring in your 

own ideas. Herewith, I would like to 

thank all colleagues at the ATG who 

have contributed to the realization of 

my Bachelor’s thesis with their support 

and the inspiring discussions.” 

Edit.: We would like to wish Ms. 

Deutschmann all the best for her professional- 

and private future. 

Title page of the Bachelor thesis. 




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Imprint 

Publisher 

Apex Tool Group 

GmbH & Co. OHG 

Industriestraße 1 

D - 73463 Westhausen 

Phone: 0049 7363 810 

Fax: 0049 7363 81222 

E-Mail: tooltimes@apextoolgroup.com 

Web: www.apexpowertools.eu 

Editorial staff 

Klaus Wohlfarth (Business 

Development & Engineering) 

Antje Kucher-Freudenthal 

(Marketing) 

Siegmar Schreyer (Marketing) 

Carolin Stürzl (Global 

MarCom) 

Peter Wiedenhöfer (Research 

Management) 


Currently open positions 

Full-time positions: 

n Development Engineer (m/f) for 

electronically controlled tightening 

systems 

n Software Developer (m/f) SPS / 

Embedded 

n Software Developer (m/f) Embedded 

Systems 

n Software Developer (m/f) R&D 

n Mechanotrician (m/f) for implementing 

systems 

n Designing Engineer (m/f) mechanics 

n Quality engineer / -technician (m/f) 

n Internal sales representative (m/f) 

n Cutting Machine Operator (m/f) 

n Electrician / Cabinet Builder 

(m/f) 

n Technical Writer (m/f) 

n Engineers Process Technology 

Electronics (m/f) 

n Engineers Process Technology / 

-Engineering (m/f) 

n Production Scheduler / -Coordinator 

(m/f) 

n Internees / Bachelor‘s thesis / 

Working students (m/f) in 

Finance / Logistics / Marketing 

n Apprentices (m/f) Mechatronics, 

Cutting machine operator, IT, Logistics, 

Industrial clerks 

Further information can be found on our website 

www.apexpowertools.eu/de/karriere.html.

TOOL TIMES - Apex Tool Group – Power Tools

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