Mr Vollmer, Kampf is increasingly evolving from machine manufacturer to solution provider. What does this change mean?
Markus Vollmer: We embarked on this path ten years ago, and, in addition, we have significantly accelerated those changes in recent times. We no longer solely offer customers machines but also look at their tasks and goals from their perspective, and then offer the optimal overall solution, including peripherals, and take into account the specialist staff available to the customer. Ultimately, these are complex systems that also consider technical requirements such as digitalisation, connectivity, and, more recently, artificial intelligence. The solution process does not begin with a catalogue from which the customer selects a machine, but with in-depth advice from our experts. Together, we develop a suitable solution. The process only ends when the machine's life cycle ends, sometimes after 20 years or more. Our customers are looking for a state-of-theart machine to be able to adapt throughout its lifetime.
How does Kampf design these solutions in concrete terms?
Vollmer: We support our customers through every phase of their investment and go far beyond traditional service. Our aim is not only to maintain machines, but also to adapt them in a flexible manner in terms of new legal requirements and ensure our customers' productivity through additional measures such as upgrades, training and consultation. One increasingly important aspect is the qualification of machine operators – in particular through training and refresher courses, which we offer. In the face of increasing staff turnover in many companies, valuable knowledge is often lost. This is where we come in, offering individual solutions tailored to the specific needs of our customers, which are met with a consistently positive response. The customer should be able to focus on their core processes, such as manufacturing films or packaging materials, which is where their expertise lies. They don't need to be machine specialists – that's our job. To ensure that we can do this in the best possible way, we work closely with technology partners, as well as with the customer's operators, shift supervisors and project managers, right from the early stages of a project, when the machine is being designed.
Do you also offer adjacent units?
Vollmer: Our focus is clearly on the integration of processes in the field of packaging – i.e. the final processing step that usually takes place at the end of production lines and requires closely coordinated processes. We offer complementary solutions for our core process, such as automation, handling systems and other integrated modules.
How are you dealing with the shortage of skilled workers at Kampf?
Vollmer: We are continuing to do well at Kampf and are still able to find qualified employees. However, we have to be careful not to lose too much knowledge and experience after many of the baby boomer generation retire. We are doing everything we can to make this expertise transparent and available. To this end, we need to improve communication worldwide. We are also proceeding to significantly mixing our interdisciplinary project teams. A mixture of older and younger employees, both experienced and new ones, now make up the teams. We need to pursue this team approach over a longer period of time in order to retain expert knowledge within the company. It is also important to continue to build up expertise. We have been strongly committed to training for many years, and have been able to take on almost all of our apprentices and trainees. We have also set up support programmes for various stakeholder groups and age groups. For example, we have a support programme for young professionals who are accompanied by experienced mentors for two to three years on the job. We also maintain school partnerships to get young people interested in technology and our company as early as possible, and to give them exciting insights into the world of mechanical engineering and automation technology.
What are you doing to alleviate your customers' staffing problems?
Vollmer: We are developing an intelligent human-machine interface that will enable even non-specialists to operate a machine. At K, we will demonstrate that an untrained person can do this within a short period of time. The machine identifies operators via facial recognition and asks them what tasks they want to carry out. The operator can choose from a range of activities – for example, starting a new cycle or inserting a new roll. They are then guided through the process step by step; no text is used. Instead, videos and 3D animations are provided. In addition, the operator can communicate with our team in the background at any time, as all machines are online.
What is the focus at Kampf at the K?
Vollmer: We will focus on three areas: in addition to the intelligent AI-supported human-machine interface described above, we will be showcasing larger machines for a wider range of materials that represent a technological leap forward in terms of efficiency. Finally, we will be presenting a new product group for a specific target group – which will be a surprise at the K. Given the current difficult economic environment, K has an important role to play in bringing the industry together. It is still the most international platform where the most innovations are on show. The trade fair will help to provide orientation, and demonstrate the leading position of European mechanical engineering.
