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from the market leader and number one technology driver. This provides us with numerous opportunities to really offer end- to-end systems. But this hardware side is just one half of our Industry 4.0 approach.
And what does the other half consist of?
That is the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the procurement process. This means we support our customers when integrating their EDI and inventory control systems in order to achieve maximum automation for our customers and Rutronik.
Our manufacturers have been fully EDI networked for a long time; and this also applies the majority of our logistics clients. This ensures we not only have all the tools on board, but also comprise extensive networking experience. Needless to say, this helps us to understand our customers – and this is essential in order to support them with their Industry 4.0 projects.
Industry 4.0 is helping to change business models in many industries. Do this also apply to distribution?
This is particularly obvious in the capital goods sector. The trend here is clearly toward pay per use or pay per service. In other words, the customer no longer buys a robot or a production machine, but, for example, a turning operation and therefore no longer pays for the machine but the actual service provided. This obviously has an impact on the pricing model and communication, as well as on how much information a company wishes to reveal. Such developments will ultimately also have an
effect on distribution. While it is not yet possible to see which consequences all this will have, we are keeping a close eye on this one.
Besides RUTRONIK SMART and EMBEDDED there's also RUTRONIK POWER. What's the focus of this division?
Basically, a power supply is essential for every application. RUTRONIK POWER first and foremost focuses on the market
The fourth unit is RUTRONIK AUTOMOTIVE. What helped tip the scales in favor of a dedicated offering?
The automotive market has been a core part of Rutronik for many years; we conduct roughly 50 per cent of our business with tier 1 and tier 2 automotive suppliers. This means all processes and products are available and technically matured at Rutronik. With the amount of electronic components in cars increasing rapidly by roughly eight per cent each year the automotive market is a growing market even if the quantities stay the same – be it in terms of eMobility, 48V electrical systems, power trains or assistance and safety systems. The decision in favor of a separate automotive department – which supports RUTRONIK AUTOMOTIVE – was therefore totally right and important, and we'll continue to strengthen it. Needless to say, the same applies to
SMART, EMBEDDED, and POWER: Each offering is backed up by competent staff who, depending on the project and customer requirements, work collaboratively with colleagues from the other specialist units.
segments industrial, automotive, and home appliances. Customers demand low and high-power solutions with ever- greater efficiency that need to be faster, smaller, scalable, and more flexible, precise, and robust. Our design-in activities therefore focus on three aspects: digital power, robustness, and functional safety. In 2016, we managed to close an important gap in this field; thanks to the franchise with Samsung SDI we now have the core components of battery systems in our portfolio – and once again from a global market leader. This franchise fits the Rutronik strategy perfectly, namely to work with the best of the best and to offer complete systems. As a result, our portfolio not only encompasses everything to do with battery management, but also the battery itself. That's a unique feature in the market!
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Finally, let's take a look in the crystal ball: what will the distribution market look like in ten years' time?
I thought you might ask this question. Making such forecasts is always difficult, but at the moment there are so many imponderables and nobody can say for sure how they will develop. But one thing is certain, our customers – just like Rutronik – are well prepared for the future and will continue to act prudently. Business has learned a lot from the crisis of 2009, and many companies have completely changed their strategy. At Rutronik, we don't want to grow at any cost, but view healthy growth as sensible growth. As an unlisted company we have the freedom to make our own decisions. We can thus give our customers the assurance that Rutronik will remain a reliable partner in the future.
www.rutronik.com Components in Electronics June 2017 37
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