Michael Honig, Sales Manager Infrared Process Technology Worldwide
- Business areas: Specialty light sources and systems
- Target Groups: : Infrared and ultraviolet emitters, systems and solutions for applications in industrial production, environmental protection, medicine and cosmetics, research and analytical measurement processes
- Employees: about 800 (2019)
- Annual sales: n/a A.
- In which areas and to what extent has the pandemic affected your company?
- What strategies have you pursued or worked out - what would you do differently with today's state of knowledge?
- How do you evaluate the measures taken by the government, including aid programs for business?
- How was business activity affected (for example, communication between companies, handling of existing orders)?
The health of our employees was a priority for us; we worked out suitable measures for this with our own task force and followed them consistently. As a result, we were able to maintain production throughout and supply our customers. The necessary communication was largely handled by email and telephone, and travel restrictions were adhered to.
We are proud of the fact that, in compliance with all rules and restrictions, we were able, for example, to start up a large infrared oven for powder coating of MDF boards in Romania in September. Without the pandemic, however, the project would have been completed in early summer. And: if the focus was previously on curing coatings on surfaces, now it is mainly on disinfecting surfaces that is in demand. We supply IR and UV technology for curing and have greatly expanded our portfolio for disinfection this year with the Soluva program.
- What is your summary for fiscal 2020, what were your expectations at the end of 2019?
We had also already experienced uncertainty in the markets in 2019 due to the discussions about Brexit or punitive tariffs. Then in 2020, triggered by the pandemic, we observed a very indifferent development of the markets. The pandemic showed the strongest influences in Europe, while our markets in Asia and the Americas were much more robust.
- How has Corona affected your industry and how has the pandemic impacted on trends and developments that were prevalent up to that point, for example in the technology sector? To what extent did the Corona year cause gridlock, or where might it even have sparked new momentum?
We have generally observed an almost complete collapse in investment, with most projects being postponed. Since the fourth quarter, however, there has been a clear pent-up demand for project implementation.
- What role does the Brexit play?
The impact of the pandemic together with the developments in the area of customs duties and trade restrictions has, in our opinion, significantly strengthened the trend of "local sourcing". We have been able to counter this well with our international structure.
- Which sales markets are particularly interesting for you at the moment? Which international sales markets do you want to focus on even more in the future?
We still consider mobility and life science to be strong market drivers.
- Which markets have gained or lost importance (for you)?
Life science and medical technology have gained in importance.
- Apart from the pandemic, were there any anomalies/developments in 2020 that you did not expect?
Triggered by the pandemic, there were virtually no trade shows this year. We have greatly expanded our webinar activities in a short period of time. We also offered webinars before, but this rapid multiplication with an extremely good response from our participants has positively surprised us. We will certainly continue to pursue this!