Global leadership through precision

Imagine placing a smartphone upright on a surface as vast as Germany – approximately 830 kilometres from north to south. The phone’s height equates to the maximum allowable unevenness across the  surface of a 30-centimetre silicon wafer, a fundamental component that largely shapes the computer  industry’s future. With their advanced polishing machines, Lapmaster Wolters currently achieves a flatness variation of just 50 nanometres – and is on track to reach 30 nanometres with the latest  technologies, setting international benchmarks for precision. “That’s akin to the height variation of a business card stretched over the whole of Germany,” explains Ralf Meinardus, Managing Director of  Lapmaster Wolters. To achieve this degree of precision, the company invests heavily in research and development.

In the semiconductor industry, flawless surfaces are essential, as they enable the production of  increasingly smaller, faster and more powerful computer chips – the core of modern electronics. “As the technology leader in polishing machines, we’re in demand wherever utmost precision is required,”  emphasises Meinardus. Currently, he adds, no other manufacturer can match their capabilities in surface finishing. However, Lapmaster Wolters’ machines process far more than just silicon wafers. The  company’s technology quietly leaves its mark on many everyday items – from ceramic seals in showers to sapphire glass in wristwatches, where the extreme precision achieved by Lapmaster Wolters plays a crucial role. Components processed by the machines in Rendsburg are also used in the automotive and aerospace industries.

Founded in 1804 as Peter Wolters, the company has been manufacturing polishing and fine grinding machines since 1936, achieving unparalleled precision through continuous research and development. A team of 70 physicists, engineers and software experts drives the company’s innovative capabilities. “We also place great importance on training our apprentices,” explains HR manager Nicole Morich. Indeed, many of the company’s 20 trainees rank as the best in the state. Alexander Gronewald exemplifies career growth within the company, rising from apprentice to production manager in just 16 years. “I completed my qualification as a state-certified technician in mechanical engineering at night school, but most of what I know, I’ve learned right here on the job,” says the 38-year-old, who oversees the production of around 150 machines each year. 

The surging demand for silicon wafers and chips has been a major boost for the company, enabling  Lapmaster Wolters to triple its revenue over the past three years to €270 million in 2023. “The polishing  discs are the heart of our machines,” explains Meinardus. He emphasises that staying at the forefront of  the global market requires exceptionally well-engineered technology, with continuous design  improvements holding the key to technological progress. “Our machines can operate 24 hours a day  without human intervention. Robots deliver parts, such as silicon wafers, directly to the production lines,” he adds. Currently, AI-driven applications are being rolled out to customers to further enhance process efficiency. 

But perfection doesn’t stop at technology. Through the introduction of lean management, Lapmaster  Wolters is also setting new internal benchmarks. “We collaborate across departments to develop  innovative solutions together,” says Meinardus. Workshops and training sessions are also helping to reshape the mindset of the company’s 500 employees. According to Meinardus, a core aspect of the  corporate culture is maintaining a positive attitude towards mistakes, viewing them as opportunities for growth and improvement. “Ultimately, everyone in the company wants to achieve success,” he says, stressing that this goal can only be achieved through teamwork, as sustaining their high-precision edge demands a collective effort.