Among other things, DMG Mori showed the DMU 125 FDS duoBLOCK in action at the EMO. © Pelemedia /am

In recent years, however, the focus has been even more on our products: Machines should also work energy-efficiently at the customer's premises. At the trade fair, for example, we will be presenting a compressed air monitoring system that detects leaks. Even small leaks can cost several thousand euros per year. Today, sustainability is less politically motivated than it is economically sensible. Process integration plays a direct role here: fewer machines, shorter throughput times, less energy consumption.

In some cases, the industry seems to have gone further than political guidelines.

Exactly. Many of our customers act out of business conviction, not because of external requirements. Energy efficiency is also a hard economic advantage. In addition, companies are increasingly taking on corporate responsibility - for example, by training their employees in energy-efficient working methods or planning long-term investments in resource-saving technologies.

How strong is the competitive pressure from Asia, especially China?

In traditional machining, we have hardly felt it so far, probably because the domestic market is not yet saturated. We focus strongly on long-term, trusting customer relationships. We are a partner that supports its customers throughout the entire life cycle of a manufacturing solution, from consulting to financing and from the commissioning of a machine to all questions relating to after sales. In this way, we ensure that our customers receive an optimum manufacturing solution, can commission it quickly and can produce reliably on it for many years to come. This proximity and reliability are decisive factors that set us apart from the Chinese competition. We continue to monitor the market closely and are preparing ourselves for the fact that competition will intensify here too.

What strategic goals is DMG Mori pursuing in the coming years?

We are currently adopting our new medium-term strategy. We want to sell more machines with a high degree of process integration and automation and grow particularly in the areas of peripherals, service and spare parts. Our aim is to provide comprehensive customer support: consumables, presetting devices, services - especially for smaller companies that value a central point of contact. Service and spare parts are not only important for customer satisfaction, but also a significant growth area.

Do you also work closely with partners?

Yes, via DMG Mori Qualified Products (DMQP). Only certified partners are allowed to carry the label. These include Horn, Fuchs, WTO and others. These partners will also be exhibiting their products at our stand. Customers benefit from tested components that are optimally matched to our machines.

And how did the EMO go for you?

The number of visitors to our stand is roughly the same as at the last EMO, which we see as a good sign. We are particularly pleased with the quality of the discussions and the customer feedback. It is interesting to note that impulses are increasingly coming from the industry itself. We can definitely speak of a successful trade fair.

Are there any other trends that you are observing for the coming years?

There is a clear trend towards holistic customer support: Machines, peripherals, presetting devices, service. At the same time, we are observing the increasing importance of energy-efficient production and automation at all levels. Companies must continuously improve their processes through process integration and automation in order to remain internationally competitive. We therefore continue to invest heavily in research and development in order to offer practical solutions for all customers - from small SMEs to high-end production companies.

Thank you very much for the interview.

The questions were asked by Andreas Mühlbauer, Editor-in-Chief Industrial Production