As Head of Marketing Communications and Head of Marketing & Product Management, Christian Ziegler was responsible for the company's internal and external communications from 2015. In his new position, he has set himself several goals: "I am fascinated by the broad approach of digitalization. It doesn't just include internal processes, but also external offers to customers. That's why, together with my new team, I want to simplify internal processes and create solutions that the design engineer of the future will need. And I want to take all employees with me on this exciting journey into the digital future."

Before joining SMC, the 39-year-old energy electronics engineer and industrial engineering graduate held senior positions in online marketing, marketing for machinery equipment and engineering and industrial marketing at Bosch Rexroth, among others. "In B2B marketing, the channels to the customer have multiplied over the past five years," says Ziegler. "In addition, the quality of the content conveyed has taken on a whole new significance. We are taking this into account with SMC's new website, which will go online this year." In his new position as Digital Business Development Manager, he pursues a holistic development approach. "I like to pick up on things and implement them in the organization. That's why we deal with internal processes in Digital Business Development and also consistently develop customer solutions. This includes, for example, digital commissioning, data management and the increasing networking of our products. After 13 years in marketing, I'm really looking forward to the new tasks in the area of digitalization."

Michael Junkermann is also looking forward to new challenges. The B2B marketing expert started as Manager Marketing & Communication on April 1. "The clear focus on specific areas and markets, the clear strategy and the direct, personal approach in communication are very important at SMC Germany".

The 55-year-old graduate geophysicist can look back on 25 years of experience in marketing communications. Before joining SMC, he was also responsible for engineering and tech support as well as product management, strategic marketing and operational excellence in various technical companies and industries, most recently in ultra-high-pressure hydraulics and fluid technology. Michael Junkermann: "My focus was often very much on sales support." The focus on the German market is particularly exciting for the marketing expert: "I was previously active in EMEA and therefore covered a wide range of markets, primarily in Europe, but also worldwide. Now I can focus entirely on one country and its specific needs, together with great colleagues." Digital media play a particularly important role here. "SMC is right on target with its trending topics of Industry 4.0, energy efficiency and machine safety. I want to expand the use of modern communication channels while maintaining the personal customer contact and direct approach that SMC is known for."

"Digitalization will bring major changes for all of us - from employees to customers," says Christian Ziegler. "This makes it all the more important to communicate these changes effectively." Michael Junkermann agrees: "SMC Germany will only remain the point of contact for pneumatic and electrical automation technologies if all divisions work together. This requires innovative ideas and solutions that we develop together."