V - The magazine of the VOLLMER Group - 2019

What are the key products and services involved? Dr Brand: On the one hand, there are very specific prod- ucts for continuous further development and performance improvements for certain machine types, for example the performance package for our QXD machines. But we're also thinking further, for example about animated operating instructions or digital support solutions for our customers. In many cases, we can even use innovations which we've developed for ourselves. How can we visualise that in practice? Dr Brand: If you look at the information requirements of a VOLLMER production manager, these don't vary greatly from those of a production manager at one of our customers. That's just one example. So we often don't need to develop For many years, VOLLMER has commanded four business areas: Rotary tools, circular saws, band saws and ser- vices. Now the company has brought to life a new, inde- pendent business area specially for its digital products and services. What's the background behind this move? Dr Brand: In this business area, we've brought together experts from very different specialisms – from distribution, development and design, IT and services – to work togeth- er intensively on our new digital products and services. Naturally the staff still have strong connections with their colleagues from their former areas. But we believe that we won't accomplish the task of digitalisation as an after- thought; we have to fully devote ourselves to it. So we're allowing these experts to totally focus on the challenges of digitalisation. AN INTERVIEW WITH VOLLMER CEO DR. STEFAN BRAND ON THE OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES PRESENTED BY DIGITALISATION. “FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT, MORE FLEXIBLE” 26 PERSPECTIVES