About us
Stories about coating
Shifting boundaries. Going over the limit layer by layer. Welcome to our world of PVD high technology, where everything is ultimately very simple despite the high level of complexity! Because we have known what counts for our customers for more than three decades: Quality, reliability and speed.
Our values
Experience
Sustainability
Effectiveness
Reliability
Integrity
“We started out in the 1990s as a plant manufacturer and soon also offered component coating. The response was great, as the topic of surface optimization was new to most companies. Today, it is less about developing new coatings. The core coatings cover 90% of the market and will continue to do so in the future. What counts for the customer is that these coatings can be produced stably, reliably and quickly.”
— Jürgen Lohmann, company founder, Forschergeist,
Coating pioneer
PVD coating in premium quality
Jürgen Lohmann laid the foundation stone for this with the founding of GPA in 1993. A classic representative of German engineering and an inventor who developed the machine technology that is our core competence today. At its heart is the particularly simple and reliable arc evaporator technology.
Our fully automatic PVD-Arc systems have been used for many years around the world, in Europe, the USA and the Far East. The way in which Jürgen Lohmann has optimized and standardized his developments in terms of process technology has made us the coating professionals we are today and has allowed us to deliver the best possible PVD quality for your tools and components for many years.
“Perfection is our goal!“
The company philosophy Jürgen and Anne Lohmann
Our strategy: Customer First
GPA is a medium-sized company in which the long-term success of the company over generations counts. Our business strategy therefore prioritizes values such as experience, sustainability, effectiveness, reliability and integrity.
Thanks to our decades of experience, we have a good understanding of our customers’ individual needs. We support them in using resources correctly and not wasting more time and energy than necessary. It also helps that GPA is now headed by Richard Kallee, a man who, as a former managing director in the international engine and vehicle industry, not only knows the customer perspective, but also understands the concept of lean management.
“Our mission has always consisted of a single question: How can we achieve long-term success together with our customers? By solving their problems and being a partner at eye level: Always with the aim of extending the service life of their tools, saving time and therefore resources, minimizing downtimes and reducing costs. And by making our customers’ work easier and working with us as simple and pleasant as possible.” — Anne Lohmann, built up the GPA with her husband Jürgen Lohmann
“One of our mottos is: We solve problems while they are small, so they don’t grow into big problems in the first place.”
— Richard Kallee, Managing Director and convinced
Lean management users
The GPA team: PVD coatings from professionals for professionals
If you work for experts, you have to be an expert yourself. We understand your business and speak your language. We are practitioners and are passionate about what we do. Your tools are in the best hands with us!
Richard Kallee
… half Irish, half Swabian – continues the work of Jürgen Lohmann by continuing to rely on the best German virtues and refining them with a dash of Irish cordiality. Polyglot. Has lived in China, Mexico, America, Sweden and England and brings his vision to the company. Stands for commitment and continuity.
“We work with a niche technology, but for many different customers, requirements and markets. Our solutions are indispensable for all of them – a responsibility that we are happy to bear.”
“You pick it up and then spray a bit of paint on it … No, that’s high-tech, there’s an eight-hour work cycle behind it. We’d be happy to give you a tour of our production.”
Uwe Haas
… also listens to what customers say between the lines and has the same claim for everyone: only the best is good enough. Focuses on direct contact, personal service and short distances. As an authorized signatory, he is happy to take on responsibility, impresses with his experience and radiates security around the clock. The ideal candidate for technical sales.
Holger Naaf
… if you don’t know him yet, you’ll get to know him as soon as you start working with us. Calm, reliable and always good for an idea that helps everyone move forward. Draws positive energy from every customer meeting. Know how to build on yesterday, shape today and think about tomorrow. Perfect match for order processing.
“Customers hand over their valuable tools to us, so confidentiality and open communication are the be-all and end-all when working together. Feel free to look us in the cards.”
“Of course, the dimensions of your tool are retained after coating. We only extend its service life without introducing a single disadvantage.”
Sven Wegner
… knows what it takes in production to deliver quality made in Germany. As a plant manager, he is convinced that environmentally friendly arc technology is the best process for coating tools. Can offer customers solutions that make the difference in a demanding market.
Patrik Books
… has a particularly keen eye, knows what could have a negative impact on the GPA quality criteria and removes these stumbling blocks in advance. As production manager, he does everything he can to ensure our speed through continuous process optimization. Finds a suitable answer to every new challenge.
“Of course, we are also creative and keen to experiment, as trial and error is at least as important as thinking when it comes to solving complex challenges.”
Individual coating services: Let us advise you!
Do you already know what you need? Or do you need more information? We have been developing PVD coatings for our customers for over 30 years and are sure to have the right coating solution for your individual application. We also guarantee a fast delivery time! Put your trust in our experience!
