It is said that in your new position you want to push ahead with digitalization and Industry 4.0 in particular. What specific topics are you tackling this year?
The focus is on implementing our digitalization strategy using new technologies. As a provider of industrial connectivity, the digitalization of our value chain with the core processes of development-production-distribution is representative of the potential of many of our customers worldwide, but also of their demands on us as a supplier and partner. The focus is therefore on digitalization projects with a high potential for making product selection more flexible via production-on-demand processes, including forward-looking planning of the supply chain and logistics. Digitalization strengthens process and therefore product quality. Industry 4.0 and the necessary range of products and services are essential in helping us achieve this. The use of a new class of sensor technology, edge analytics and the development of IT-based system architectures are just a few examples. Although a great deal of research work will still be required in this area, the transfer to development and industrial engineering projects and thus products and production is already common practice today. In concrete terms, this means expanding the MICA (Modular Integrated Computing Architecture) concept and application-specific solution packages based on it.

Can visitors to the trade fair in Hanover once again expect to see a bunch of Harting innovations?Canyou tell us three special features in terms of connectors in advance?
Harting is driving development in the field of Ethernet connectivity for the networks of tomorrow. Single Pair Ethernet (SPE) is on everyone's lips in the industrial cabling market. Harting is supplying the appropriate standardized interfaces and will be presenting the first series products at the trade fair. The first IP20 interface consisting of a plug connector and angled PCB socket will be on display at the stand. The technology group will also be presenting innovations in the field of heavy-duty connectors: The Han 1A is a new compact and extremely robust rectangular connector that can transmit data, signals and power with up to twelve contacts. It is made of high-performance plastic, is lightweight and takes up very little installation space. With Han F+B, Harting is also presenting a range of connectors specifically for the needs of the food industry. as

Hall 11, Stand C15