Shaping forward-looking solutions with courage

For two days, the ZVEI Annual Congress focused on the opportunities of electrification, digitalisation, AI and future technologies in exciting lectures and discussions. Wöhner CEO Philipp Steinberger also discussed how Manufacturing-X, DC technology and AI can drive the energy transition forward during a panel discussion. Following the panel discussion, Philipp Steinberger deepened his thoughts and ideas in an interview with ZVEI.


ZVEI: Electrification, digitalization and sustainable production are the three major megatrends that will occupy us in the coming decades. We have already heard some interesting articles about this at the congress. In your opinion, how can we succeed in turning these trends into a successful triad in the face of the major challenges?

Philipp Steinberger: By seeing it as an opportunity. Electrification and digitalization give us great opportunities to increase the output of industry. Electrification is the key to decarbonization. And digitization of its optimization. Through digital applications, we at Wöhner can record and evaluate information in all our production steps every day and identify potential for improvement. In this way, we are creating important conditions for growth and competitiveness.  

We are convinced that sustainable production will ensure this success in the long term. Specifically, we are concerned with the questions in which production and storage processes material can be saved, energy can be used more efficiently and the service life of our products can be further increased. In addition, our products are also drivers of a sustainable economy, because they increase energy efficiency when used by our customers.

However, this requires far-reaching change processes – and thus entrepreneurial perseverance, because not everything always works right away. But one thing is certain: Only through electrification, digitalization and sustainability will we be able to meet the increasing demands of our customers and stakeholders in the long term and hold our own in global competition.


ZVEI: You are a medium-sized family business that has established itself as a leading solution provider in the field of busbar technology. What specific projects are you aiming for in the coming years to consolidate this claim to leadership?

Philipp Steinberger: Basically, we want to contribute to the success of the energy transition with our products. Energy efficiency and the potential of switching technology in the field of renewable energies are central to this. A secure and low-emission energy supply is a prerequisite for a permanently successful German economy. We were able to exchange views on this topic with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Hannover Messe.

We also set ambitious standards for our own sustainability record. Wöhner has set itself the goal of becoming climate-positive by 2029. In order to achieve this target, we continuously optimize our energy requirements with a comprehensive consumption analysis.

We also align our production with sustainable standards. New, efficient machines reduce energy requirements in the field of plastics technology by up to ten percent. Through simulation and calculation, we can save a lot of material in product design and continuously increase the proportion of bio-based plastics in order to conserve scarce resources.


ZVEI: At the annual congress of the ZVEI, we were able to listen to expert presentations on various leading edge topics. Where do you locate your company or company?  What contribution can your company make to the trend topic of Manufacturing-X?

Philipp Steinberger: Manufacturing-X is an important building block for a data-based economy. This depends on open standards for data models and platforms for the trustworthy exchange of data between companies. We have learned and shown how digital data can be intelligently linked with the development of a digital nameplate.

Another leading edge topic at Wöhner is DC technology. There is a lot of potential in the use of direct current. It can massively increase the efficiency and capacity of our power grid – and thus drive the energy transition. This, too, requires partnership-based cooperation between companies, politics and science. Overall, we see increasing demand here in an international growth market. The relevance of the direct feed-in of renewable energies and also the reduction of conversion losses is enormous. Both are in line with our commitment to the energy transition. In this way, we ensure that our products allow more efficiency and save space at the same time.


ZVEI: In order to achieve the ambitious climate targets and the transformation to a climate-neutral industrial society, fresh ideas are needed. This has already sounded through at the congress. In your opinion, how can a culture of innovation be created in Germany, the land of inventions?

Philipp Steinberger: Innovation is part of our corporate DNA. This has been true at Wöhner since our founding almost 100 years ago. In order to live up to this claim, we are challenged every day anew to make an effort and to maintain a close and open exchange with our customers. The goal is nothing less than a change of perspective: We have to use the available resources and our knowledge to understand the specific starting position of our customer.

This is the prerequisite for the right tailor-made solutions and ongoing innovations. This also applies to our own approach. We have to "think" the respective product from the user's perspective and anticipate their needs. We can only develop even better solutions if we understand what our customers need – especially in difficult times.This has the remarkable effect of transforming perceived limitations into productive power.

Innovations require courage. And the freedom to try something. New ideas deserve appreciation - even if they are not successful. And it also needs a predictable policy: clear regulatory framework conditions and a strong research landscape are the prerequisite for a positive climate for a future-oriented culture of innovation to develop outside of the company as well.


ZVEI: We look forward to your impressions. The annual congress has now taken place for the twelfth time and we had top-class presentations. How was it? What's your impression?

Philipp Steinberger: I have been able to gather important new impulses over the last two days and I was very happy to be part of it! The large number of participants from industry, politics and science at this event shows how relevant the debate on innovation policy and digital transformation is. And here, too, the following applies: Suitable solutions to the challenges of the industry can only be found through interdisciplinary dialogue and exchange in business, politics and science. This congress is a good example of that.

We need to continue the conversation with these actors beyond that. The more urgent the economic and dynamic political situation, the more indispensable the exchange. That applies to Germany, but also to the European level: the European project must be pushed forward because there is no alternative to the European framework for business, politics and society.