Meet Petra Rohmann, the CEO of Rohmann GmbH, a leading German manufacturer of eddy current testing devices and systems for non-destructive testing. The company has been developing, producing, and selling its technology as a medium-sized company based in Frankenthal. The organization’s testing devices and systems are used all over the world in heat treatment, cracks, material identification, and grinding burn testing.
Petra’s father, Jurgen Rohmann, found his passion for eddy current early in his career and founded the company. Right from the start, Petra’s mother, Ines Rohmann, a trained physics lab technician, took over the management. At first, they started with two people in the basement of their house.
During its early days, the company was quite well known in the aviation industry for its battery-operated hand-held testing equipment. Slowly the company established itself by delivering products for other industries. Today, it is a supplier in almost all industrial sectors, finding solutions for technically demanding applications with its specialists. Equipped with 75 employees, the firm manufactures its extensive product range at its location in Frankenthal.
With its digital testing device, the ELOTEST PL600, current array technology, and complex image evaluation software, the firm can successfully integrate comprehensive applications into automated testing processes and support customers in manufacturing high-quality products.
The Steadfast Leader
After completing school, Petra Rohmann graduated from university in graphic design. She used to spend most of her semester breaks working in her family business, gaining experience in various departments. Later in 1992, Petra’s parents offered her a job in the company.
Initially, she was responsible for product advertising, trade fairs, and personnel issues. Over the years, Petra Rohmann has taken over many more areas, and she is the sole managing director since 2018.
Petra Rohmann is motivated to continue and maintain the company that her parents founded. She feels that Rohmann GmbH’s success factor lies in its employees and their commitment, so the personal and close relationship with employees is crucial to her.
Driven by Customer Satisfaction
Petra Rohmann and her team’s strongest drive is the satisfaction of her firm’s clients. A complete understanding of customer’s individual requirements, products, and services are essential for the entire team to reach the solution. The company always seeks dialogue and feedback to meet the increasing customer expectations. Additionally, Rohmann GmbH has an efficient quality management system. The firm has also been certified according to DIN EN 9001 since 1999, proving its capability to meet the highest international standards.
Tackling Challenges
Since the first quarter of 2020, we saw the emergence of the pandemic, which eventually led to millions of deaths and job losses across the world. And just like its competitors, Rohmann GmbH also took the brunt of the pandemic. The order situation was weaker, and turnover decreased significantly. However, Petra and her team utilized their time to concentrate on the new developments, from which they will benefit in post-pandemic times.
Petra feels she has many challenges, but she doesn’t mind them as she has her goals clearly in mind. Petra says, “I also don’t think about whether the challenges are there because I am female or if it is for other reasons. I am a positive person and will accept and overcome any challenge with our team for the good of the whole company.”
Advice for the Young
Petra advises young female entrepreneurs not to worry too much about gender. She feels it is essential to show patience in the face of some demands. She says, “Accept the task and tackle it; that’s my motto.”
She also adds, “Manage your own strength and energy to filter out where the effort is worthwhile and where it is not. And to get external support if some issues are difficult.”
Preparing for a Better Future
In the next five years, Petra sees herself as a woman who represents the great team of Rohmann GmbH to the outside world. She sees her company and her team continuing to be successful in their professional field and expects to be among the top 3 most innovative companies.
