Topwerk America Expands With New Headquarters in Texas

Topwerk America, a leading global supplier of production plants and systems for the manufactured concrete products industry, has established a new headquarters in Conroe, Texas. The Conroe facility serves North- and Central America with sales, engineering, service and parts.​

Dr. Rolf Lanz, senior partner of venture capital company CGS, said the recent growth of Topwerk’s installed base in North America drove the decision by Robert Gruss, Topwerk CEO, to assemble a highly qualified, professional team to propel the company’s services and spare parts availability to all clients with the new Conroe facility.

When CGS purchased Hess, Prinzing Pfeiffer and SR Schindler 9 years ago, the goal was to create synergies that would enable all Topwork companies to professionalize quicker than its competitors and to provide a complete range of manufacturing solutions to its customers. With each well-known brand rooted in different segments of infrastructure, the Topwerk group companies would not only complement but enhance each other. By bringing these companies together under one umbrella, Topwerk expands all companies’ presence worldwide by taking advantage of the existing networks, sharing of technology, research and development, and sales and service. Topwerk America is a major element of the international growth.

When Robert Gruss joined Topwerk as CEO in 2018, he quickly recognized the need for a stronger U.S. presence. Texas was chosen for its central location for its strong labor pool, international airport, and the port in Houston and in particular the Texan “can-do mentality”. The Canadian office, Topwerk Services, will certainly remain an important part of Topwerk Group focusing on Canada.

Soon after Gruss joined Topwerk, Chad Rathke came aboard in 2020 as President and CEO of Topwerk America. One of his first tasks was to recruit and train talent for the Conroe headquarters. Since then, several dozen engineers, technicians and service personnel have been added. This location serves as parts warehouse for all Topwerk product lines. Topwerk also started to explore additional manufacturing capabilities to serve the North American market. Topwerk America will also work closely with its new office in Columbia that serves the South American market.

Topwerk fosters a culture of trust and confidence by empowering and encouraging ideas, and seeking input from employees, customers and other industry professionals when it comes to technological advances.