MINNEAPOLIS, MN (2022)
In 1985, Klaus Mölzer, owner of Industrilås, traveled to America to do business across the Atlantic. He got in contact with Dick Keister, who would later go on to found Allegis Corporation. Klaus and Dick made a deal, and a simple handshake laid the foundation for their joint venture. Today, 37 years later, Allegis continues to be Industrilås’ most trusted and valued partner, and vice versa. The successful relationship between the two companies is built on mutual trust and respect.
 
The partnership is formed ~
Greg Mattson, CEO at Allegis, started his career as a summer warehouse employee. After graduating from college, he began working in sales and over time, he became trusted with more responsibilities in new and larger areas. During the early 90s, he met Klaus for the first time and Klaus became a trusted mentor of Greg’s.
 
“Klaus taught me patience and to see the value in the employees. The more human side of corporate life if you will. All his decisions were based on the individual and he advocated building relationships above selling. Relationships first, and then selling”, Greg explains.
 
Expansion takes off ~
Klaus traveled to America to meet with customers and represent Industrilås a few times a year. The collaboration between the two companies took a major step in 1999 when Fredrik Mölzer, Klaus’ son, moved to Minneapolis to develop Industrilås in North America. What was intended as a one-year stay turned into five years.
 
“It was educational working together with Greg. He taught me a lot about technical sales, how to build relationships, and trusting customers. And just like Dad was a mentor to Greg, Greg was a mentor to me. I am still inspired by his drive and work ethic”, Fredrik says. 
 
With Fredrik on location in America, opportunities for faster communication with the business in Sweden opened. And the requirements of the American customers were met more rapidly and efficiently.
 
“We would visit a customer and pass on their requests to Bengt-Åke Alfredsson, Head of the Design Department in Sweden, that same day. And through Fredrik, the customer would get design ideas for a solution the next day. Another factor that made Industrilås so successful during the 90s was the head start with SOLIDWORKS. They were the first company to apply to the program in Scandinavia. This enabled us to show our customers three-dimensional drawings, something our competitors could not provide at the time”, Greg says.
 
A rare business relationship ~
“The key to our relationship is mutual respect for each other’s organizations. And, to closely monitor the other’s needs. There have been situations where both of us had to accommodate the other. For example, we have supported one another during financial difficulties”, Greg explains. 
 
The dynamics of the partnership are found in the strengths Industrilås and Allegis have independently, and how these strengths come together to meet the demands of the market.
 
“Allegis has great access to the American market and are skillful in making sales to big American customers. With Industrilås’ European ways, we have managed to implement different angles when it comes to the design and functionality of the applications. It is easier to be innovative and persuasive with Allegis by our side. We have a lot of credibility together. Through the years, we have encouraged each other and in addition to the partnership, many of the employees have become friends, which is a great joy for me”, Fredrik says.
 
A flourishing future ~
The long-lasting partnership between Industrilås and Allegis will hopefully continue for many years to come. But as with everything, there are always challenges.
 
“I think the most important aspect is that we genuinely care about each other which is rare in most business relationships. You usually have a good relationship but only on the surface. In this case, there is profound consideration and respect for each of the companies. And that is what keeps this engine running. Today, we can see that the next generation of Allegis’ and Industrilås’ people are building the same relationships as me, Klaus and Fredrik did back in the day. This is great to see and is what will keep our businesses flourishing into the future”, Greg says.