materialfluss : Geek+ has already built up quite a reputation in Asia. Please outline the milestones since the company was founded for our readers.
Zhang: Geek+ launched its first robotics solution in China in 2015, shortly after the company was founded. Alibaba was one of our first major customers to deploy a large number of our goods-to-person robots in its logistics center. Another milestone was certainly the project implementation for the top 3 Chinese e-commerce company VIP.com. More than one hundred Geek+ sorting robots were successfully implemented in their distribution center in Guangzhou. On the product side, a decisive portfolio expansion was achieved in 2017 with the release of the SLAM Navigation Moving System. Together with the CE marking of our core products in 2018, this marked our entry into the smart supply chain market. We currently employ more than 700 people, including more than 400 well-trained engineers.

mfl: Can the efficiency gains that Geek+ solutions have delivered be expressed in numbers?
Zhang: Our autonomous transport robots controlled by artificial intelligence make it possible to optimize work efficiency and space in expensive warehouses and achieve a better ROI compared to traditional automation. We are talking about efficiency gains of at least 300%. In terms of labor costs, our robots can save at least 50%. The positive impact is also supported by our flexible business models, where additional robots can be added to a fleet when needed and we can take them back after peak times.

mfl: What prompted you to become active in Germany, Austria and Switzerland now?
Meyer-Jander: Despite the current political challenges, Central Europe remains one of the strongest and most stable economies in the world. For our expansion strategy, it is a market with great potential and strong industries with a high degree of automation. Germany is one of the leading countries for innovation and technology. For us as the top 1 company in Asia for innovative AI and logistics robots, it is an ideal environment to combine the mentality and knowledge of European companies with our AI technology and innovative spirit.

mfl: Where will the German branch office be?
Zhang: We have set up our European activities in Düsseldorf. Our team of experts covers all functions and areas of expertise from there. We not only manage sales and marketing from there, but also solution development, project implementation and customer service.

mfl: What goals have you set yourself for 2019 and 2020?
Zhang: Our goal is to use AI technology to take the leading position in Europe in the field of smart logistics and supply chain. To date, we have several thousand robots in use worldwide - and the trend is rising rapidly.

mfl: Where are these manufactured?
Zhang: In October this year, we will put our own fully automated Smart Robot Factory into operation in Nanjing near Shanghai. The production capacity will be at least 10,000 robots per year. The medium-term goal is to also produce in Central Europe.

mfl: What role does the upcoming LogiMAT play in your planning? What do you want to show in Germany?
Meyer-Jander: The development of LogiMAT is a real success story, it is certainly the most important trade fair for us in DACH. We are very much looking forward to next year, when we are planning live demonstrations of our latest generation of robots and their performance on our own stand. After this year's appearance at the German Logistics Congress (DLK), LogiMAT 2020 will be our first really important trade fair appearance in Germany.

mfl: In your opinion, what can Geek+ systems do that market competitors cannot?
Meyer-Jander: The market growth in mobile robots and the competition from other market players encourage us to continue to focus on innovation and customer orientation. Our broad portfolio can help customers achieve complete warehouse automation. To achieve maximum efficiency, we can guarantee maximum reliability, stable operation without fire and an accuracy of more than 99%.

mfl: Are German-speaking logistics companies ready for robotics or do you think you still have a lot of explaining to do?
Zhang: Experts expect more than 50,000 logistics centers worldwide to integrate robotics technology by 2025, compared to around 4,000 in 2018. An incredible growth rate. We also expect the same demand for DACH. We believe that logistics decision-makers already have a good understanding of the technology and see the potential.

mfl: Mr. Meyer-Jander, your previous employer, SSI Schäfer, is the opposite of a start-up. What made you decide to take up the challenge at Geek+?
Meyer-Jander: The traditional intralogistics companies are strong companies with a long tradition and great expertise. They successfully combine many years of experience with a continuous focus on new technologies. At the same time, however, new companies can benefit from an even higher level of innovation, leaner organizational structures, more agile processes and shorter product innovation cycles - they can be faster and drive the industry forward.

mfl: Mr. Zhang, Mr. Meyer-Jander, what headline about Geek+ would you like to see in the December 2020 issue of materialfluss? What should it say?
Both (laughing): Breakthrough for AI robotics technology in smart logistics - a Geek+ success story.