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Lägler Micro-Innovations Make the Difference

April 25, 2017/in Lägler /by webmaster

Have you ever compared a decades-old Lägler HUMMEL and a new one, and wondered what’s changed? We get it. At first glance, they look a lot alike. Two things:

1. Don’t change what ain’t broken …

2. … unless you can make it even better.

For Lägler, better happens in micro-innovations, the little refinements that become possible with new technologies and materials. And, improvements happen
with feedback from all you pros using the machines on floors around the world.

Why Lägler Micro-Innovates

Why does Lägler micro-innovate instead of putting out a whole new belt sander beast every so many years? Stop us if you’ve heard this one. The answer is
consistency, for Lägler and for you. (We’ve mentioned consistent quality many times on this blog and social media as a key to success.)

We assume you would like to keep your big machine running, and not feel like you have to replace it to stay on top of your game.

If you have a HUMMEL (and maintain it properly), or if you talk with someone who does, how many HUMMELs have they had to replace over the years?

A better question is: How many decades have they used their HUMMEL, grinding floors on a daily basis, and not had to replace it?

Like we say, “You buy a new HUMMEL because your business is growing up, not because it’s breaking down.”

Lägler assures compatibility of new parts with existing machines. All new parts work with older models. That’s why the overall look of
Lägler machines has been consistent, despite all the technical refinements every key part of it has received along the way.

Micro-innovations enable you to never be cut off from the parts you need to keep your machine running just like you need
it, for as long as you need it.

A few examples of Lägler micro-innovations are below.

Lägler Parts Compatibility Through Micro-Innovations

Lägler HUMMEL’s Lateral Wheels

Micro-innovations mean new-and-improved parts function on older machine models, like the new lateral wheels shown above with a 1983 HUMMEL.

The original lateral wheel design for the HUMMEL had a sheet-metal side wall. The old wheels had considerably more components, too.

The synthetic wheel facing was grouted onto the wheel hub, making it difficult to change out the wheel.

Today’s lateral wheel (P147/P149W),
which is made of lower-wear material is more durable and less likely to leave wheel marks on the floor. It also can be replaced easily without needing
to disassemble the whole wheel unit.

Why this helps you? One step is all it takes now to take off a worn lateral wheel and be able to replace it with a new one: Remove the
one screw and washer set.

Bonus Tip: Lägler recommends cleaning your wheels before every sanding job, and to consider keeping an older set of wheels to put on the
HUMMEL for first passes on tough finish removal. Swap out the wheels again in less than a minute, and you’re set for smooth final cuts.

Lägler HUMMEL’s Upper Roller Unit

The Lägler HUMMEL upper roller unit is one example of micro-innovation at the company. The current version is on the left.

The upper roller unit originally
was steel. Since 1990, it’s been aluminum.

This material change makes production easier. It takes welding out of the process. The aluminum body of the unit can be made in one cast.

Why this helps you? The aluminum upper roller enables more precise belt control and better tracking adjustment.

Lägler HUMMEL’s Fan

The Lägler HUMMEL fan insert has been refined over the years. For example, on the early 1990s fan in the photo above (right), the space between the blades
is solid aluminum. The current model (left) benefits from a micro-innovation designed to remove some of that material.

In the beginning, the fan blades were mounted with tongue-and-groove joints. Now, fans are cast as one piece.

The blades originally were symmetrical. They were reworked in 1990, increasing airflow by using an asymmetrical blade design. The cavity between the blades
was increased during a 1997 design upgrade. (P169, Fan Insert Complete)

How these micro-innovations help you? The lifespan of the fan blades increased significantly. Production processes became easier. Overall
quality got better.

All in All: Lägler Micro-Innovations Save You Money

Got a 50-year-old HUMMEL? No problem. Older HUMMEL sanders can be upgraded with the current versions of all parts. Your HUMMEL, no matter its age, will
not be obsolete.

Save money. Don’t replace the sander. Just maintain, replace parts, as needed, and grind on. Then, pass your Lägler down to the next generation when you
retire.

The Secrets of Lägler’s Success

April 11, 2017/in Lägler /by webmaster

It’s story time. And while what you’re about to read might seem embellished or, parts of it, even flat-out fictional, what we say here is true. Every word.

At the heart of this story is consistency. It’s no secret that the company is known for putting out the same quality in its machines, decade after decade.
So, that’s where we begin.

Consistent. Quality.

You know consistency in business can be difficult to achieve for long periods of time, or sometimes even from one day to the next. For example, how well
are you able to mix up a particular stain color the same every time? That’s hard enough to do, even when you write down exactly how you did it the
first time.

Imagine being a machine manufacturer that changes ownership, its sources for materials, its production processes, has high employee turnover, and can’t
replicate precise training from one employee to the next. And imagine being a company that doesn’t.

Yeah, we’re about to toot Lägler GmbH’s horn, right here. You’ll see why long before the end of this blog post.

Eugen Lägler founded Lägler GmbH in 1956, in Frauenzimmern, Germany. His son, Karleugen, has directed the company since 2007.

Why Lägler Quality Stands So Tall

There are many reasons why Lägler machines are known for reliable performance. Here are a few back-bone reasons:

One Lägler Ownership. One family has owned Lägler since it was founded in 1956. We’re pretty sure no other sanding machine manufacturer
on the planet can claim that. That means there have been no hiccups, from owner to the next, in the driving purpose of the company. That purpose is
top-shelf quality that gives sanding and refinishing pros everywhere exactly the performance and floor results they expect, day in and day out.

Eugen Lägler built the company that has become the globally recognized brand it is in the wood flooring industry. In 2007, his son, Karleugen Lägler, took
the leadership reins. Many of you, especially those who have won the Fly + Sand lottery,
know him as Karl.

Karl grew up in the company. As a boy, not much older than a toddler, he helped build the family house next door to the factory, carrying buckets for his
dad. As a young adult, he studied engineering and learned the ins and outs of the company. He knows the details of every machine model that wears the
Lägler logo and colors in 142 countries – and the best ways to get the most out of them on the job.

Nailed-Down Production Processes. Lägler maintains the quality and consistency in its processes by documenting every step of every employee’s
role. Everything and every person has a purpose in the company. But there still is flexibility and adaptability (more on that in next section).

Lägler gets little outside help for fabricating its machines and parts. For example, SUPERHUMMEL drum cores are made on-site, starting with melting aluminum
bricks into insanely hot liquid that is poured into a mold that was designed and built on-site. Many custom tools for custom manufacturing even have
been designed and fabricated on-site.

Process and precision. With everything and everyone.

Employees’ Unrivaled Skill, Adaptability + Longevity. Do you remember the NFL offensive triple-threat Kordell Stewart? He started his
pro career in the mid-1990s, and mostly played for the Steelers. He was called “Slash,” because he could play multiple positions. He largely played
at quarterback, but could split out as a receiver, and was one of greatest rushers of all time from the QB position, too. Quarterback/Receiver/Rusher.
Slash.

All Lägler employees could be called Slash. They dive deep in their experience in one specific job role, but they are cross-trained in multiple skills,
and cover each other’s stations when needed, too.

Germany, in general, handles its education and training differently than we do in the U.S. Have you seen the videos and Facebook posts lately talking about
restoring pride and training for hands-on trades in America? There’s a great example of pride and success in skilled labor in Germany, and at Lägler.

Three-year-long apprenticeships are where it happens at Lägler. Three years of learning every detail across multiple jobs. Then, maybe you get hired on
permanently.

That’s how Lägler’s factory is filled with highly skilled craftsmen who year after year are the reigning world champs of their job. Because, really, no
one in the world knows that job better than the guy who is doing it. (Watch our three-minute “Icon Builders” video on YouTube to learn more about the guys who have years’, even decades’, of experience building thousands and thousands of HUMMELs.)

After all, Lägler employees aren’t messing with Legos. No one walks in off the street – or even the home crew out of Lägler North America in Denver – and
starts putting together Lägler machines. That’s why a guy there can walk out the building on his last day before retirement, having made his mark on
50,000 HUMMELs that are still running on job sites all over the world, and know he made a difference.

Confidence in Lägler

So, yeah. We’re proud to be your Lägler home base in North America, and to know the legacy we’re part of. And we think this story is worth sharing. No
reason to keep it a secret.

The fact is, no other floor sanding machine manufacturer on Earth can duplicate Lägler. No company can duplicate the story, the ownership, the processes,
the skilled craftsmanship, the quality.

That makes Lägler a unicorn in the industry, verified by its ISO 9001 certification. ISO 9001 is the international standard that verifies Lägler’s strict
adherence to seven “quality management principles”: customer focus, leadership, engagement of people, process approach, improvement, evidence-based
decision making, and relationship management.

If you want a chance to see the Lägler factory, to get to meet the guys in the Icon Builders video, and see all this stuff we’re talking about for yourself,
you can attend Lägler PST at Lägler world headquarters in Germany. One way to get that trip paid for by Lägler, is to be one of the lucky winners of
the Fly + Sand lottery.

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where Lägler friends worldwide help each other. Mention us, so we can follow along with your Lägler life.

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