"E-commerce has by no means reached its zenith"

MFL: What does the Körber Logistics brand primarily stand for? What should the customer think of first?Papamanoglou: The added value of being able to realize solutions for the entire logistics network with us as a partner. What do we mean by that? First of all, we are specialists in warehousing, as a general contractor (Aberle and Efacec), with software (Aberle Software and Inconso) and product offerings (Langhammer and Qubiqa Logistics). The added value results from our digital, networked expertise: with tailor-made software solutions for supply chain execution, we also control all other processes in the supply chain. Keywords include smart factory, transport and yard management or cloud-based solutions for the last mile.

MFL: What will happen to the Aberle, Langhammer and Inconso brands? These companies have the subheading Körber Solutions in their logo - are we now talking about Logistics or Solutions?Papamanoglou: We will maintain and promote the independence and specialization of our companies - and thus retain a unique selling point compared to our competitors. Körber Logistics is the umbrella brand under which the six companies mentioned operate. Six worlds of experience, six perspectives on the market and customers, six areas of expertise flow into this combination. The result is the plus or, if you like, the "more" than the sum of the individual components - namely the advantage for our customers that we have already described. Körber Logistics, in turn, is one of a total of seven Business Areas of the Körber Group (Automation, Logistics Systems, Machine Tools, Pharma Systems, Tissue, Tobacco and Corporate Ventures). With the addition of Körber Solutions, the companies signal their affiliation to the Körber Group and the additional benefits for our customers that result from the expert networking between the Business Areas.

MFL: Can you specify the synergies that a customer has as a result?Papamanoglou: Being part of a successful, forward-looking technology group like Körber gives us both the financial strength and the independence to handle major projects with high investment requirements. We have a wealth of knowledge and broad experience from all the experts in the Group - from engineering and R&D to software. In addition, we benefit from shared resources in every form, as well as from the Group's purchasing strength - and can pass this advantage on to customers. Thanks to the Group's international network, we can also operate in countries and markets where Körber Logistics does not yet have a location of its own.

MFL: Speaking of e-commerce: how long will its boom continue to boost the intralogistics business?Papamanoglou: In our opinion, e-commerce has by no means reached its zenith. More and more companies, including SMEs, are discovering and using online trading for themselves. Entire market segments and sectors, such as food retail, are still at the very beginning when it comes to e-commerce. The demand for intelligent automation solutions will continue to grow.

The questions were asked by Martin Schrüfer