From trust to exclusive distribution: Reto Riedberger talks about the values, perspectives and opportunities behind the agreement between two family-owned companies aiming to grow together in the Swiss market.
Can you briefly tell us the history of Arnold Hohl AG and how the company has developed since you and your family took over in 2012?
The history of Arnold Hohl AG begins with its founder, Mr Arnold Hohl, who was looking for a successor for his company.
My son Roman, who had already been successfully active in the company’s field sales department for many years, and I, with many years of experience from 1983 to 2012 at the well-known tool manufacturer OERTLI Werkzeuge AG, seized the opportunity to take over the business in 2012.
Since then, the company has experienced steady growth. We have expanded our services, strengthened our tool business and invested significantly in our machine park.
The search for reliable manufacturers has always been at the heart of our strategy, as has the focus on quality and innovation, values that have enabled us to consolidate our presence on the Swiss market.
For years, your company has been a reference point on the Swiss market for the supply of woodworking and joinery tools. To what extent does the family dimension of your company contribute to the added value of customer relations?
Arnold Hohl AG has been in business since 1970, and from the very beginning, our strength has been our ability to combine professionalism and family values.
Besides myself and my son Roman, we work with my wife Erika, Roman’s wife Sandra, and my daughter Rilana, completing a close-knit team where everyone contributes their specific skills.
This structure allows us to be flexible, responsive and close to our customers, listening to their needs with a personalised approach.
Let’s not forget the fundamental role of our long-standing employees, and also the younger ones, who work with dedication every day to ensure impeccable service.
It is this combination of family and professionalism that sets us apart and makes us a reliable partner.
Arnold Hohl AG has been working with GDA for many years. What prompted you to further strengthen this bond by taking over the exclusive distribution of the GDA brand for Switzerland and Liechtenstein?
The cooperation with GDA has been going on for many years, and during this time we have faced small challenges together, growing both commercially and humanely.
GDA’s mutual trust, product quality and flexibility have always impressed us positively.
When we were offered to become the exclusive distributor for Switzerland and Liechtenstein, we proudly accepted.
This agreement, formalised during the Ligna trade fair in Hannover with an official agreement, represents a further step in our partnership.
We are confident that the cohesion between our companies, both family-owned, will be the key to new successes.
GDA and Arnold Hohl share a common vision based on quality, family values and growth. What opportunities do you see in this new phase of cooperation and what goals have you set yourself with this agreement?
We firmly believe that working in synergy and sharing is the main factor for success in our industry.
With GDA we share not only values, but also a vision of the future: we want to grow together in the Swiss market, while being aware of the challenges posed by large international manufacturers.
The objective is clear: to exploit our geographical proximity and the complementary nature of our competencies to offer increasingly tailor-made solutions.
The partnership with GDA will allow us to strengthen our offer and to communicate to current and future customers that, together, we are ready to innovate and provide unparalleled service.
GDA is known for its high-tech production of circular saw blades for the professional machining of wood, composite materials, panels and aluminium. Which features of their products do you consider particularly suited to the needs of the Swiss market?
The Swiss market is demanding and requires high quality products, but also flexibility and fast response times.
With GDA we have found a partner that combines technical expertise with a wide range of products, with circular saw blades ranging from 80 mm to 1150 mm in diameter.
GDA’s ability to respond to special requests, combined with our local knowledge, allows us to meet even the most complex requirements.
In addition, the proximity between our companies facilitates logistics and technical support, crucial elements for our customers.
Your team covers the whole of Switzerland and also offers sharpening services. How do you plan to integrate and expand the GDA offer in your current product and service offering?
We only sell directly in eastern Switzerland, and our aim is not to target the end customer throughout the country, but rather to cooperate with an already established network of local sharpeners.
For GDA products, we will rely on these companies, with whom we have had excellent relations for years.
This strategy allows us to guarantee capillary distribution without having to expand our service throughout the country, while maintaining a high level of efficiency and quality of support.
Besides product quality, what other aspects of working with GDA do you value most (e.g. customer service, delivery time, technical and commercial support)?
Besides quality, what we appreciate most about GDA is the direct and personal relationship.
With Gianluca Adami (co-owner and head of sales and technical), Donatella Adami (co-owner and head of internal processes and logistics/warehousekeeping) and Nicola Pedrotti (head of sales and marketing), we have constant contact and immediate and competent support.
Thanks also to the area agent Giancarlos Marchionni, we can count on a tailor-made service, which has always supported us over time and will continue to do so in the future. This synergy is invaluable to us.
You are currently in an expansion phase with the construction of a new warehouse. What role does the partnership with GDA play in your growth strategy and how do you intend to communicate this to your current and future customers?
During the pandemic, we realised the importance of a well-organised warehouse. For this, we are expanding our structure and studying a new location, which will allow us to be even more efficient.
GDA, with its vast assortment of circular saw blades and other customised solutions and the future opening of a 7000 m2 production facility, will be a key ally.
Thanks to their investments in stock and quality, we will be able to offer faster delivery times and better performing products.
We will the communicate this the customers by the way, emphasising how our partnership with GDA will that our ability to that our customers’ needs with flexibility and competence.
