Parts cleaning industry mood barometer 2024 - Interview with Gerhard Koblenzer, CEO LPW Cleaning Systems

Gerhard Koblenzer: "Well, I don't really see a general upturn. However, not everything is as bad as it is made out to be. A lack of planning certainty due to a lack of guidelines from large-scale industry and politicians does not necessarily make day-to-day work any easier. But this is not just a German or European issue. Apart from that, there are also growth sectors. These include high vacuum and sensor technology and the optical industry. There are also new tasks for additive manufacturing, innovations in mobility concepts or energy generation. This offers many opportunities, including for realignment. In the machining industry in particular, cleanliness requirements are increasing, while the quantities to be produced are tending towards small series and customer-specific individual components. This requires a focus on the overall processes in planning, implementation and optimization. This is actually a core competence in German-speaking countries."

Gerhard Koblenzer: "Basically, as in the late 90s, more flexibility and an analytical approach are needed again. We can do that! Back to the roots means that we are now focusing on the basics of industrial cleaning technology and technical cleanliness in production processes, adapted to today's much more demanding cleanliness requirements. Over the years, this has been pushed into the background by the automotive focus. In addition to experience and professional project management, solution-oriented communication is also necessary. Especially between management, engineering, manufacturing and production. On the one hand, this requires the appropriate technical qualifications at all levels and, on the other, a management mentality that allows and encourages constructive criticism. This is also a clear strength in German-speaking countries."

Gerhard Koblenzer: "Definitely yes. It has never made sense for the German mechanical and plant engineering industry to compete 1:1 with local companies in North America and Asia. However, value-added products and services are required in terms of quality and performance. These can then be positioned at a correspondingly high price and will continue to find customers. The parts cleaning industry in particular benefits from the fact that almost all new industrial developments are associated with higher cleanliness requirements for the product and the entire manufacturing process. We can do this better than others in Central Europe!"

Gerhard Koblenzer: "It makes no sense to hold on to the old business and achievements alone. And it makes even less sense to moan about the inevitable changes. The new megatrends in society, industry and international weight distribution were already apparent many years ago. Added to this are the direct and indirect costs of the climate crisis. The national economy and companies currently have to spend considerable amounts of money to repair the damage caused by floods, hail and heat, for example. In the absence of other options and due to a lack of self-reflection, there is a tendency to recklessly pass the buck to politicians. You can do that, but it doesn't help. Nor does it relieve companies of their own responsibility. The shift is therefore initially about acceptance, tolerance and openness."