IAA Voices: Interview PALFINGER

PALFINGER, the international technology and engineering company based in Bergheim, Austria, is the world's leading producer and supplier of innovative crane and lifting solutions. Its product lines with more than 100 models include loader, marine & wind cranes, forestry & recycling cranes, roll-off & set-down tippers, access platforms, tail lifts & passenger boarding systems, boats & davits and marine handling solutions.

Andreas Klauser has been CEO of PALFINGER AG since 2018 and achieved record revenue of EUR 1.84 billion with the company in the past financial year.

What does PALFINGER stand for and what should every IAA visitor know about the company?

PALFINGER is characterised by pioneering spirit, entrepreneurship, innovation and customer proximity. We shape and mould our industry worldwide, because PALFINGER is never satisfied with what has been achieved and what exists. PALFINGER has stood for these values since its foundation 90 years ago. Since the presentation of the first hydraulic loader crane at the beginning of the 1960s, new innovations have followed continuously. Today, driven by digitalisation, we develop smart products and solutions that are sustainable, economical and networked. At the IAA, we will present the future of lifting solutions as the world market leader. And my team and I are particularly looking forward to this.

What is the company's most important project for 2022/23?

With our Vision & Strategy 2030, we are providing answers to the challenges facing us with the topics of sustainability, social change and digitalisation. This is accompanied by a profound change as well as the comprehensive digitalisation of all company areas along the entire production and value chain. In 2030, we want to offer our customers and partners integrated total solutions that support them in operating successfully economically, ecologically and socially in a rapidly changing environment. This includes the implementation of the two strategic pillars "Go Digital" and "Go for Solutions". Together, they accelerate the digital transformation, the development of integrated total solutions, the opening up of new business areas and the opportunity to work even more closely than before with our customers on products and services that are optimally aligned to their needs. Together we are shaping the future.

The newly designed IAA TRANSPORTATION is a platform and meeting place for transport and logistics companies from all over the world. What makes the trade fair so appealing to you?

Our success is based on customer proximity. We put the needs of our customers at the centre of everything we do. This requires a close and familiar exchange. We have this, on the one hand, thanks to our closely-knit global sales and service network with over 5,000 support points and, on the other hand, through personal contact at important events such as the IAA TRANSPORTATION. Like PALFINGER, the IAA stands for future solutions and innovation. In other words, a successful and promising combination.

What can IAA visitors particularly look forward to at your stand?

PALFINGER presents reliable, efficient and innovative solutions that make the work and lives of our customers safer, more economical and more efficient. Let's take the energy source as an example, which will change worldwide in the future. With our intelligent eDRIVE system, the crane can be driven electrically at the push of a button and absolute flexibility in the operation of the crane is guaranteed. Electrification is also the driver for our aerial work platforms. And with the eWorX module developed in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz Trucks and ZF Friedrichshafen AG, every PALFINGER product can be installed and operated on an electric truck. What's more, with the help of digitalisation, we are noticeably increasing the potential of our products and solutions! Here we offer our customers integrated overall solutions that provide more functionality and added value. Smart Control, for example, is the innovative and simpler way to control the crane tip horizontally and vertically with just one lever movement. We are also digitising the customer journey with our smart solutions to make every interaction easier and more efficient for our customers. With the help of Smart Service, we increase the performance of PALFINGER products and solutions for maximum uptime. This is just a sample of our programme. Come and see us. We look forward to your visit!  

The coming years will be dominated by transformation. Where will the transport and logistics industry be in 2030 - and what milestones do you want to have mastered by then?

The industry needs answers to the aforementioned challenges of sustainability, social change and digitalisation. Cooperation is the crucial element. It is a matter of working together on solutions and mastering the challenges together. As far as PALFINGER is concerned, in 2030 we will be talking about a global technology and mechanical engineering company that successfully uses the potentials of digitalisation, offers its customers integrated total solutions and supports them in their daily business together with all its partners. We will talk about a company that has successfully penetrated new business fields and generates an annual turnover of around three billion euros from organic growth. And we will talk about a company that has not only successfully mastered the many challenges we are facing right now, but has used them to its and its employees', customers' and partners' advantage.