100 years of Conrad Electronic
One hundred years of change
Conrad Electronic celebrated its centenary on June 21, 2023 with a gigantic event in the spirit of change. 400 high-ranking guests from business and politics as well as long-time Conrad companions were invited to the logistics center in Wernberg-Köblitz on June 21, 2023 to celebrate a century of Conrad Electronic under the motto "The Next 100 Years".
Four generations of change
Many celebrities attended the anniversary celebration - Tagesthemen presenter Caren Miosga, who hosted the day. A keynote speech by jet pilot and space traveler in reserve Nicola Winter. Last but not least, a panel of experts on the topic of artificial intelligence. "Even after 100 years, Conrad feels fresh as a daisy. Are we a start-up company? Definitely no. Can we pass as a re-startup? I think so!" With these words, Dr. Werner Conrad addresses his audience. Why re-startup? Because Conrad has reinvented itself again and again in its 100-year history. Conrad was and is always one step ahead of the times. "Change is our destiny" - change has been firmly anchored in Conrad's DNA for four generations. A pioneering spirit and the willingness to see challenges as opportunities characterize the family business. This spirit is also acknowledged by numerous politicians in their messages of greeting, including the Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, the Head of the Bavarian State Chancellery Dr. Florian Herrmann as well as district administrators and mayors from the Upper Palatinate region.
The focus is on the mission
Seeing challenges as opportunities - Nicola Winter knows a thing or two about that. She was Germany's second female jet pilot and is now a space traveler in reserve. Her credo: with courage, empathy, discipline, passion and a little bit of luck, we can make it anywhere - because with all the ingredients for success, even the moon is within reach. She dispels the myth that it's all about the pilot in the cockpit. The opposite is true: "We always need a team and that includes the tanker driver - if they don't show up, the whole project fails." In her experience, the success of a team is characterized by three qualities: a culture of personal accountability, focus on the mission and collaborative teamwork with deep-rooted trust.
Customer acquisition and automation with AI
Change, transformation - these major themes run like a red thread through an eventful day of festivities. Accordingly, the highlight of the event will revolve around what is probably the biggest technological shift these days: the use of artificial intelligence. On the panel, two proven experts in their field will discuss with Conrad CEO Ralf Bühler: Florian Deter, Managing Director at Microsoft Germany, and Dr. Daniel Holz, Vice President EMEA North at Google - moderated by TV journalist Caren Miosga.
All of the interviewees agreed that the added value for the respective company is crucial when it comes to the question of using AI. Customer acquisition is one point mentioned by Dr. Daniel Holz: "In a very pragmatic way, you can use AI to address more customers and, above all, more individually and bring them to your own platforms." Automation is another important area of application, emphasizes Florian Deter. "AI should simplify applications and help to promote innovation," says the man from Microsoft. The risks of AI are also on the agenda: there is always potential for misuse, which is why legislators and AI providers need to set the right framework.
"Most of the transformation completed"
Conrad CEO Ralf Bühler's speech also focused - how could it be otherwise - on the topic of change. In the course of this, he focuses primarily on the future: How do we secure our supply chains? How do we increase efficiency in order to remain globally competitive? How do we use resources more sustainably? These questions are at the heart of his speech. "We are convinced that digital procurement can provide the answers. That's why we have the Conrad Sourcing Platform. Our formula: A network of people, digital solutions, services and partners to deliver all parts of success to our customers."
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