While companies struggle through what has been a difficult 2020 so far, one company is reflecting on a strong 2019 and is ready to weather the current COVID-19 storm.
“2019 was a solid year for Endress+Hauser,” said Matthias Altendorf, CEO of Endress+Hauser, at the company’s annual conference in Basel, Switzerland, adding that instead of large-scale orders, growth has been driven by smaller and medium-sized projects. “Growth was broad-based and balanced.”
Looking back on 2019, the group created hundreds of new jobs, invested record amounts and improved in the area of sustainability – including constructing a new energy self-sufficient customer experience and training centre in Canada.
According to Altendorf, the family company “is thus in a strong position to address the challenges of the corona crisis.”
Digital intimacy bridges the physical distance
Endress+Hauser started 2020 with a further increase in incoming orders. However, the coronavirus pandemic makes it massively more difficult to achieve the original goals.
“Although we are still unable to predict the economic impacts of the crisis, we and our customers will certainly feel the effects,” underlined Altendorf. The group responded early to the spread of the virus and used all means at its disposal to protect people’s health and continue to offer customers solid support. “We bridge the physical distance through digital and emotional proximity.”
The CEO has been driving digitization at Endress+Hauser for years – in the product and services areas, as well as in customer interaction and internal collaboration. At peak periods, up to 10,000 employees are currently working from home. Customers can use the website to order instruments or track orders, and an online tool enables remote support aided by video.
Group aims to safeguard employment
“Our everyday heroes are those working in production, logistics and service, or under difficult conditions from home or in the office,” said Altendorf, as the company has been successful in ensuring the availability of materials, keeping the logistics chains intact and supporting customers in all respects.
Dr Klaus Endress (left), President of the Supervisory Board, and Matthias Altendorf, CEO of the Endress+Hauser Group.
“The Group’s plants are operating, and Endress+Hauser is still able to deliver,” stresses Altendorf, believing that the company is well prepared for difficult times.
“We have always run a sound business and as a company we are very well positioned,” continues Altendorf. “We will do everything we can to safeguard jobs and bring Endress+Hauser through this crisis. This will benefit customers, employees and shareholders.”
The shareholder family supports this course and accepts a decline in profits, said Supervisory Board President Dr Klaus Endress. “We would like to have as many people as possible on board when the wind shifts and things pick up again.”
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