Interview: Christian Schulz Neolog GmbH

Individualization, flexibility, changing market and customer requirements, Working World 4.0, transformation... these are just some of the challenges that companies are facing today. The decisive factor here is that the customer's process determines what the solution looks like!

A practical example is provided by NeoLog GmbH from Landshut, which specializes in developing suitable solutions in the areas of material flow, logistics and production. Transformation pilot Dirk Maaß spoke to Christian Schulz, Managing Director of NeoLog GmbH, to gain a closer insight into how the company tackles transformation issues.

Dirk: Hello Christian, thank you very much for your time. Logistics, intralogistics, workplace optimization, increased efficiency, lean manufacturing, automation...all terms that are important components of transformation in many companies. What role does NeoLog GmbH play in this and what makes your company special?

Christian: We work according to the motto "The tool must always adapt 100 percent to the process" and accordingly develop suitable solutions with as little technical effort as possible, taking into account important aspects such as employee ergonomics, occupational safety, ESD or other applicable rules and regulations.

We see ourselves as transformation supporters or accelerators, i.e. we aim to create optimal working conditions for every area and every employee while keeping an eye on the overall process.

This enables us to make the necessary transformation more tangible for employees for many of our customers, thereby increasing acceptance. We take the employees with us until the finished solution (e.g. the packing table, the picking trolley or even the entire production line) goes live.

Dirk: There are many definitions or descriptions of transformation. How have you defined the term at NeoLog? What influences, changes and challenges do you see for you and your business?

Christian: In our business, the term "transformation" is often equated with change - whether by our customers or the industry itself. At the moment, many companies think that transformation only means the use of automation and robots. This means that major projects in these areas are initiated and unfortunately all too often supported by providers without taking a neutral and honest look at genuine efficiency improvements, increased earnings or employee relief in advance. We have found that with our "simple" solutions, we have often been able to implement improvements in the area of human workplaces for customers because they have recognized that too little planning has taken place in these areas.

Dirk: Everyone is talking about AI these days. How do you assess the influence of AI on workplace systems and (intra-)logistics processes? How are you positioned in this regard?

Christian: AI is currently the buzz word par excellence and most people immediately think of ChatGPT or artificially generated images. In fact, the technology is already much more advanced and is already being used in industry to create value. I think that in the area of workplace systems, AI will massively change the area of worker support (editor's note: IT solutions such as monitors with assembly instructions) and make work easier for people. Artificial intelligence can help people, for example, to improve cognitive skills and perform secondary tasks.

At NeoLog, we are constantly expanding our provider network and our own knowledge of AI and its possibilities in order to be able to offer our customers the best possible solutions in the future.

Dirk: How important is diversification, a customized product portfolio and different customer groups for you?

Christian: Our modular systems already enable us to respond to the requirements of different industries in a customized and diversified manner. Today, we have customers from "A for automotive" to "F for aircraft" or "L for food" through to "R for rocket technology".

Of course, we always adapt our solutions and the technology we use to the market, the times and the requirements, and we try to create as few intellectual boundaries as possible.

Dirk: In your opinion, what should SMEs definitely take to heart in order to continue operating successfully on the market in the future?

Christian: Openness, knowledge of their own skills and strengths and, above all, entrepreneurship on the part of the management teams. This entrepreneurial spirit has made us successful and we need it back in people's minds. The ambition to solve problems and not to hope that someone will come along and do it. Politics provides a framework and this framework never fits every company or every problem. It is therefore up to us entrepreneurs to shape our companies successfully within these frameworks.

Dirk: Thank you very much for your interesting insights and good luck with your service oasis.