RUF Briquetting Days 2026 – Close to the Briquetting Press User
International Dealer Meeting at RUF Maschinenbau Highlights Strong Partnerships
To stay close to end customers everywhere, RUF has built a broad global dealer network. This ensures machine users always receive the best possible support — from initial consultation through purchase to service throughout the entire lifespan of the equipment. To deepen collaboration, the world market leader for briquetting presses holds a three-day dealer meeting at its headquarters in Zaisertshofen every four years. From June 16 to 18, 2026, nearly 50 international trading partners of RUF took part.
Managing Director Roland Ruf has a straightforward explanation for why RUF Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG, based in Zaisertshofen, markets its innovative briquetting presses worldwide through trading partners: "As a medium-sized company with around 200 employees, we simply wouldn't be able to meet our customers' expectations on every continent otherwise." This includes, among other things, competent advice in the respective local language — before, during and after the sale. In addition, fast response times for repairs as well as maintenance and service are of great importance to all companies in the metal and woodworking industries and in recycling.
When it comes to maintaining relationships with its many dealers, the briquetting press specialist makes no compromises. Weekly, and sometimes even daily, phone calls take place between dealers around the world and their German RUF contacts. Personal meetings are also held at regular intervals. "Of course we see our colleagues from Europe more frequently than those in Asia, America, Australia or Africa," the Managing Director explains, adding: "But it is extremely important to me to know all of our partners personally, which is why we hold a multi-day dealer meeting here in Zaisertshofen at least every four years." Almost all trading partners responded to this call once again in June 2026.
A Family Atmosphere Is Part of Global Success
Presentations on new developments, success stories, live demonstrations, and plenty of questions, answers and in-depth conversations during the breaks — that's the RUF dealer meeting in a nutshell. Not to be forgotten: the relaxed, almost family-like atmosphere that was palpable among participants, staff and RUF management throughout the three days in Zaisertshofen.
For Managing Director Roland Ruf, this atmosphere is an important part of his company's global success: "We know how much our employees and trading partners mean to us — some of whom we've been working with for over 30 years. Something like this only works when there is mutual trust and when the human connection genuinely functions well."
RUF Innovations Matter
A sentiment that virtually all trading partners present at the meeting would agree with. Including Nobuhiro Kon, Senior General Manager at Japanese exclusive distributor Nippon Steel Trading — which was recognized by RUF as the most successful dealer of the year 2025. When asked why he is happy to make the long trip to Germany, he sums up his main reason with a smile, and with particular charm: "First and foremost, I was delighted to be able to give Roland Ruf and so many other colleagues a warm hug." With a friendly expression, Nobuhiro Kon adds another key aspect: "Of course, it's equally important to me to learn about the latest RUF innovations that we can offer our customers."
New Service Portal Coming Soon
He speaks for many other attendees as well. Such as Claire Sissoëff-Piet, sales representative at Euragglo, France: "I've now been working for RUF for over 25 years and always enjoy coming to these events to exchange ideas with staff and fellow dealers. But honestly, what I look forward to most is finding out what new technical innovations will be presented this time. So far, there has almost always been something for our customers in the metal sector as well as for those in the wood sector who are interested in briquetting presses from RUF or its subsidiary C. F. Nielsen." Claire Sissoëff-Piet was accordingly pleased when a new service portal was later presented — one that is set to be made available to both dealers and end users of briquetting presses before the end of this year.
Tailored Handling for Dealers and End Customers
Dominik Peter, RUF representative and Head of Product Management at Hunkeler Systeme in Switzerland, also expects the new service portal to bring particular benefits through even easier handling and faster processing of service requests — which will ultimately benefit the end customer. He explains: "I've already spoken about it with a few colleagues from other countries. We're all very positive about it. Not least because the software allows us to customize and shape the interface to suit our own needs."
A decisive advantage, given that the wishes and requirements can vary considerably from country to country and from application to application. Dominik Peter knows what he's talking about. After all, he not only sells briquetting presses for the metal sector, but frequently also for the destruction of banknotes. "We build custom-made systems for the disposal of such security-sensitive material and distribute them worldwide. RUF briquetting presses are regularly part of such systems. What's great about it is that the technology works just as reliably and well as the collaboration as a whole."
