HAND-MADE IN GERMANY FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS, BUT …
WHY IS BEYERDYNAMIC STILL PRODUCING IN GERMANY?
Let us take you on a journey into the heart of beyerdynamic: What does manufacturing sophisticated technology “Made in Germany” involve? We have made the decision to continue manufacturing our headphones and microphones in Germany. But why did we make this decision?
„There’s nothing more difficult than handcrafting a product in a consistently high quality, and doing this for over 30 years in some cases.“
Thorsten, Director Production
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Challenges to our production process
Our DT 770 PRO is a perfect example of precision manufacturing that becomes immediately apparent to customers the very first time they use it. It’s a product that has delighted musicians and music enthusiasts across the globe. While studios have been embracing digital technology, new sounds and changing trends, we have continued to manufacture the same top-quality headphones in Heilbronn.
Knowledge of our company’s history and essential manufacturing know-how needs to be preserved and passed on at the same high level. New employees need to be trained in production techniques, new processes need to be introduced, and capacities need to be increased despite limited space. And any such changes to our structures should not be noticeable for people using our products. In addition to these internal challenges, which affect every department and not only production, we are a globally operating company. Manufacturing our products in a high-wage country like Germany – and still remaining competitive while doing so – requires constantly questioning established processes and optimizing wherever possible.
Das Wissen um die Historie unseres Unternehmens und auch das Know-how in der Fertigung müssen erhalten und auf gleichbleibendem Niveau weitergegeben werden. Neue Kolleg:innen müssen in die Fertigung eingelernt, neue Prozesse eingeführt und Kapazitäten bei begrenztem Platzangebot erweitert werden. Alle sich ändernden Strukturen bei uns dürfen euch bei der Nutzung unserer Produkte nicht auffallen. Neben diesen internen Herausforderungen, die sich nicht nur auf die Fertigung, sondern auch auf alle anderen Abteilungen erstrecken, sind wir auch Teil des internationalen Handels. In einem Hochlohnland wie Deutschland zu produzieren und gleichzeitig wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben, erfordert ein ständiges Hinterfragen und Optimieren unserer Prozesse.
As tough as it sounds?
Absolutely! But this approach also brings us a whole range of benefits and opportunities that act as daily motivation to do the best we can on your behalf.
@beyerdynamic Yep, the MMX 300 is also handmade ?? Which other manufacturing do you want to see? #beyerdynamic #thisisaworkofart #headset #handemade #madeingermany #MMX300 #glowup #fyp
♬ sonido original - Un flan te lo explica
Why is beyerdynamic still producing in Germany?
Did you know …
… that 85% of the headphones and microphones we sell are manufactured in Germany?
The majority of the associated processes are carried out at our site in Heilbronn. This makes it easier for use to ensure a high level of quality. Expertise is always on hand and channels of communication are short and efficient.
There are no barriers to communication within the company and between the different departments. It means, for example, that our development department can test new products and processes under production conditions, and it is easy for quality management to carry out checks during production. These short lead times keep our processes constantly flexible and dynamic. And we are in a position to integrate “lessons learned” into our manufacturing operations in a direct and uncomplicated fashion.
A further crucial factor resulting from our “Made in Germany” approach is that it enables us to retain expertise within the company. Know-how that we have built up over decades remains in our hands as a vital resource for our continuing success. The extent to which our employees identify with our products is remarkable, and also brings numerous advantages. Keeping the entire manufacturing process under one roof is something that really makes our brand stand out from the crowd.
On top of this, many of our suppliers are based within a radius of 200 kilometres, ensuring short transportation routes, but also saving resources in other processes and cutting carbon emissions.
Did you know …
… that manufacturing a product takes between 15 minutes and 2 hours? The precise time depends on the number of manual operations, the machine time and the product’s complexity.
Our goal & promise to customers
At beyerdynamic, we have made it our goal to develop and manufacture high-quality audio products in Germany, consequently entering into an obligation for our site here. And this has been the case for almost 100 years now. Some of our workers in Heilbronn are the third generation of their families to work there – and the fourth generation will soon be arriving. For brief periods, we even have different generations working together. Over the years, our outstanding know-how has enabled us to build up high-quality standards that we intend to maintain and hopefully surpass.
Values such as responsibility, reliability and trust are factors that play a role in our decisions. Together, they represent a promise of quality to our customers. We continue to manufacture in Germany in order to ensure continued delivery of all the elements that fulfil this promise – robustness, longevity, and dependability.
Here we offer you an insight into our microphone production in Heilbronn:
Further reading:
You can learn the details of what our Made in Germany maxim means for individual products by reading our article on the development of our high-end T1 and T5 headphones – from conception to final touches
In our online shop, we have a filter that shows you all the headphones manufactured in Germany. Discover our “Made in Germany” products now >