After an international career in an automotive group, business graduate Michael Ruf joined the family business in 2008 together with his brother, engineer Martin Ruf, who is now Head of Technology. Together with senior partner Dr Klaus-Peter Ruf, he forms the management team, is responsible for sales and plays a key role in the structural and digital development of the company.
pj: Mr Ruf, what are the current priorities in your company?
Michael Ruf: We have always focussed on the Automation of packaging processes in end-of-line packaging through to the ready-to-ship pallet. However, we do not sell standard machines, but generate customised solutions on the basis of a functional modular system and the broad Use of robot technology customised solutions.
We were one of the first companies in the industry to start using robot technology over 20 years ago, and today we are one of the first companies in the industry to use it. Integrate 200 robots per year, we have a big head start on the learning curve compared to our competitors. We utilise this advantage to provide our customers with superior Concept proposals to inspire.
pj: What particular challenges did you face last year?
Michael Ruf: Our customers' goal of digitalising the production process end-to-end and optimising Flexibility with „batch size 1“ has put a number of very exciting topics on the agenda for us. But on the basis of such „Lighthouse projects“ the entire organisation learns and becomes fit for the future.
Otherwise, of course, the topic of Shortage of skilled labour out. We see this as the only really relevant Brake on growth today and even more so in the future.
pj: How do you assess the economic situation?
Michael Ruf: The economic situation seems to be slowly but steadily deteriorating. This time it is not so much a shock-like downward movement, but rather a Creeping negative trend.
Through the Uncertainty Due to the international trade conflicts and the structural upheavals in the automotive industry, the overall Willingness to invest cooling down somewhat in the industry. We are receiving corresponding indicators from many sectors from customers or from our major component suppliers. The decisiveness for major investment projects has been somewhat dampened in any case.
pj: What effects do you expect for Transnova RUF?
Michael Ruf: Thanks to our very flexible approach, we are able to cover project requirements from all sectors. In addition, we have always made sure that the React flexibly to production capacities to be able to. This gives us the manoeuvrability we need when the seas are a little choppier. But we are gearing up for tougher competition and have already started to „throw a spanner in the works“ in sales.
pj: What do you see as the most important tasks and trends in the industry?
Michael Ruf: The topic Flexibilisation in the automation of packaging processes will not let us go. This has been our driving force for many years. The discussions under the keyword Industry 4.0 provide important impetus for the industry. We want to ride this wave and see great potential here for a long time to come.
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