Lodec Group Strengthens Its South East Asian Presence Through Heritage, Adaptation, and Regional Commitment

With nearly two centuries of history, the Lodec Group stands today as a unique example of endurance, adaptability, and cross-continental expansion. Founded in 1832 as Louis Delius, the family-owned business is now led by its sixth and seventh generations, with Director Nikolaj Schütte representing the latest chapter of its legacy. During the METALEX exhibition in Bangkok, Schütte spoke with International Metalworking News for Asia about the company’s long heritage, its evolving business structure, and the group’s strategic focus on Southeast Asia.

A Legacy Built on Non-Ferrous Metals and Global Trading Expertise

Lodec Group’s foundation lies in its deep roots in the non-ferrous metals industry. The company operates in two distinct divisions:

• Lodec, its non-ferrous metals trading arm; and
• Louis Delius Hardware & Tools, which manages more specialized finished products.
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As Schütte explained, the Lodec entity was established when his father joined the family business in the 1990s. Already experienced in the aluminum and copper trade—including a joint venture in South Africa founded in 1985—his father was unable to immediately integrate the new business into the parent company. Instead, he created Lodec Germany, using his global experience to expand the company’s reach into Latin America and Asia. This agility remains central to Lodec’s identity today.

Early Moves into Asia: A Vision Ahead of Its Time

Remarkably, the Lodec Group’s presence in Asia began more than 36 years ago, long before the region became the manufacturing powerhouse it is today. Schütte shared that in 1989, his father established a joint-venture in Singapore, recognizing early on the region’s growth potential and strategic importance.

The Singapore office was among the very first tenants of the German Centre and has served as the company’s Southeast Asia hub for three decades. Through this office, Lodec supported sectors such as electronics while navigating the region’s shifts in industrial focus.

This long-standing presence gave the group strong familiarity with regional customer needs, allowing it to service multinational corporations as well as family-owned manufacturers across Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Expanding Across China, Africa, Europe, and the Americas

Schütte’s own journey reflects the company’s global view. Before relocating to Singapore in 2024, he spent years working in China, where Lodec established an office in 2007 after decades of sourcing activity there. China remains a critical market for both procurement and sales, with Lodec distributing not only imported but also locally produced materials in the region.

The company’s international footprint continues to expand, with offices in the United States, Panama, South Africa, Germany, Thailand, China, Singapore, and team members in India. This global span is supported by a simple but powerful symbol: the key in the Lodec logo, representing the company’s Bremen roots and its mission of “opening doors” for customers worldwide.

Southeast Asia: A Region of Growth, Opportunity, and Strategic Importance

Lodec’s presence at METALEX Thailand is a reflection of the company’s renewed attention to the region. Thailand, in particular, has emerged as a rapidly advancing market due to its expanding industrial base and improving competitiveness.

The company’s warehouse in Bangkok, located in a free-trade zone, plays a strategic role in providing consignment stock and local availability of non-ferrous materials. This setup allows Lodec to buffer supply fluctuations for customers, ensuring manufacturers have timely access to critical copper and aluminum materials—an advantage in industries where lead times are increasingly compressed.

Schütte explained that the warehouse also positions Lodec to supply neighboring markets such as Vietnam and the Philippines, although the group is careful not to expand too rapidly. Instead, it prioritizes long-term partnerships, reliable service, and stability—values consistent with a family business approaching its 200th anniversary.

A Balanced Approach to Globalization Amid Market Volatility

While globalization has long benefited the company, Schütte acknowledged that supply chains have become more unpredictable in recent years. Exchange rate fluctuations, political tensions, and shifting trade dynamics increasingly influence material availability and pricing. In this environment, Lodec’s role as a trading company is more crucial than ever—identifying alternatives, finding resilient supply channels, and anticipating challenges ahead of customers.

Through the Lodec Group’s global network and deep market knowledge, the company provides transparency and tailored solutions to clients navigating this complexity.

A Family Business Built for the Long Term

At the heart of Lodec’s strategy is its commitment to people—customers, partners, and employees. Schütte stresses the importance of maintaining a knowledgeable, experienced team that shares the company’s long-term mindset. As a family business, Lodec prioritizes trust, consistency, and relationships that span generations.

“We don’t want to do things only once,” he explained. “If we expand into a market, it has to be something that is long-term feasible. Once we commit, we want to do it right.”

As Lodec strengthens its footprint in Southeast Asia and deepens collaboration with customers across the region, the group continues to embody the same principles that guided it for nearly two centuries: adaptability, partnership, and a forward-looking approach to global trade.