29-01-2009

An exciting and challenging year with new opportunities

What does the year 2009 have in store? This is a valid and pertinent question at the beginning of this New Year, since seldom has the economic development – both regional and global – been perceived by so many experts in such a pessimistic light.

Without a doubt: even in the domain of the material handling the next few months will be a trying period for most companies, however there are also opportunities, which must be seen and seized.
This perhaps, sounds quite simple. However this is naturally not the case. But depends quite simply on whether companies have done their homework in the past. This is because forward planning will yield dividends at this time.
What will determine if the difficulties of the next few months, or perhaps years, bring things to a standstill or not, in my opinion, are the following important factors, which, understandably, are also crucial for FIPA GmbH:

1, The internal structures of a company must be adapted to market requirements. Thanks to modern IT systems and the latest knowledge with respect to efficient workflow and accelerated processes, companies are in a position to minimize their costs and respond to the market with speed and flexibility. At this juncture one must admit that the recession can well affect healthy companies without structural problems, since they may not get credit from the banks owing to the crisis and thus, have liquidity problems.

2, Intensive customer relationships achieve reliability, trust and sustained know-how for product and system development. Treating and understanding the customer as a partner, instead of merely thinking about profits, can, however, lead to development partnerships in the area of material handling and bring about mutual satisfaction and benefits.

3, Ensure flexibility: Depending on its market, a company would do well to look for target groups across various industries and to keep its range of products and services as “open” as possible and to align them to the needs of the customer. It is naturally easier for those who take the matter of a good mix seriously and also pay attention to ensure that their business profile maintains a cutting edge to absorb the impacts of a crisis in a given domain.

4, Focus on quality. The modern-day interpretation of this demand means that the customers expect a comprehensive range along with suitable and for them, cost-effective – products and services and have a right to the availability of experts who support them with customized solutions.

These criteria of strategic corporate policy focus on the solid determination and capacity to keep improving continuously – something that is taken for granted but cannot simply be developed overnight and on the basis of merely a decision to do so. In addition, it must be noted that: FIPA required some time for this purpose but as a result of this, our foundation is that much stronger.
Please permit me to draw an analogy from the field of competitive sports, which, in view of the physical performance in material handling and flow is not far removed: Proper training means building and toning up muscles at the right places, and, if necessary, includes slimming down. In a similar manner, FIPA is thus strengthening its fields pertaining to the business activities of its customers and will, for example, supplement its technical and marketing skills.
In this manner, it is possible to position ourselves with demonstrated professionalism, sustained market development and foresighted product development – a strategy, which will provide a competitive advantage over our competitors in the future.

I wish you a healthy, happy and successful New Year 2009 and also to all of us that we utilize the difficult time ahead to recognise great opportunities and develop partnerships which are mutually beneficial.

Yours sincerely,

Rainer Mehrer