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Management interview
Our customers' productivity is close to our hearts
Tebis AG Board Members Dr. Thomas Wrede and Bernhard Rindfleisch (left to right)For Tebis AG Board Members Bernhard Rindfleisch and Dr. Thomas Wrede, Tebis' secret to success lies in a close technology partnership with its customers and Tebis' broad portfolio of software, services and consulting.
What do the two Board Members have to say about how Tebis became a success and the challenges the future holds?
Mr. Rindfleisch, the Tebis group employs approximately 400 employees around the world and generates revenues of over EUR 50 million annually. What is the source of your success?
Bernhard Rindfleisch:
The basis for our success lies in our close relationships with our customers – to those responsible for manufacturing as well as the actual users. We see ourselves as a specialist in software, services and consulting with the goal of continuously improving our customers' processes and accompanying them through the digital transition. Our consultants and implementers are developing concepts for efficient and reliable CAD/CAM and MES processes every day. Our customers' productivity is close to our hearts.
What is the role of the software in this process?
Bernhard Rindfleisch:
Tebis software is the foundation of our success because it sets global standards for the highest quality and productivity and outstanding functions. We’ve continually optimized our CAD/CAM software over the years and guided our customers into a standardized approach with increasing manufacturing automation from early on. We’ve continued to set trends in future-oriented technology since Tebis was founded in 1984. One example is Tebis Automill® technology which supported NC programming of complete components across surfaces as early as 1990, and which we now regard as synonymous with automatic NC programming. And the integrated Tebis NC simulator. As a part of the CAM programming environment, it enables true-to-life simulation and verification of toolpaths based on virtual machine models with complete collision monitoring of all machine components. The automation and simulation functions enable our customers to improve the simplicity and reliability of their NC processes, thereby increasing their competitiveness. In Version 4.1, which will be launched in 2020 following a long development period, we’ll also offer our customers an extensively automatable design environment for equipment like molds, dies and fixtures. This saves an enormous amount of time in manufacturing-related design in the event of changes.
But Tebis doesn't just provide the software; we also ensure its correct integration in the customers' individual processes.
This must require vast expertise and a strong portfolio.
Bernhard Rindfleisch:
Of course: that's why our customers are so appreciative of their partnership with Tebis. We digitalize our customers' manufacturing environment and store it in their Tebis installation in the same way that we register their proven manufacturing knowledge and provide it in digital templates that can be accessed at any time. We educate users in our training courses and provide a hotline that can be reached by phone or chat. We have over 50 employees providing services in Germany alone.
Tebis isn't the only CAM provider. How does Tebis successfully differentiate itself from the competition?
Bernhard Rindfleisch:
As already mentioned, two key distinguishing features are our broad range of CAD/CAM and MES software and our excellent software-related services.
Another key differentiator is our industry-related consulting expertise. This makes Tebis extremely attractive to manufacturing companies in our target markets. The consultants in Tebis Consulting have been acquiring experience with our customers' processes in die, mold, model and machine manufacturing for 20 years – in development and design, in programming, in the shop and in manufacturing. No consulting or software company in our industry has more expertise in software development, software services and consulting. This makes us unique.
Dr. Wrede, Tebis has experienced spectacular growth. But the environment has changed. Where do you see the challenges for the future?
Dr. Thomas Wrede:
Key topics are the internationalization of the markets and transformation processes in the industry. Examples of specific challenges include e-mobility and the digitalization and networking of production. A lack of qualified personnel also comes into play in many areas. In this context, standardization, automation, manufacturing planning, manufacturing control and the evaluation of manufacturing products are especially critical.
We’re working intensively to facilitate work with structured processes and to ensure the reliability and efficiency of those processes.
Our efforts have been noticed by outside observers: Tebis has received multiple awards in the last years.
Bernhard Rindfleisch:
That's true: We've celebrated a number of premium awards in recent years! For example, former Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Ilse Aigner awarded us the title "Bavaria's Best 50." This means that we rank among the most successful companies in Bavaria. By the way, we can also see that we’re a strong player in our field from the consistently high number of very good applicants over the years. Last year, our consulting team convinced the jury at Wirtschaftswoche magazine with a very successful customer project. This landed us first place in the "Best of Consulting Mittelstand 2018" award for the best competitive strategy. And I could list several other awards. These honors from outside encourage us along our successful journey.
Dr. Wrede, how can you support your customers on the path to Industry 4.0?
Dr. Thomas Wrede:
We support them in their digital transformation by digitally modeling their individual manufacturing environments and their proven manufacturing knowledge in the Tebis installation. After installing our ProLeiS MES software, Tebis customers have a clear picture of scheduled, ongoing and potential projects. This allows them to control their resources, optimize their production performance and ensure on-time delivery.
Companies with this kind of end-to-end CAD/CAM and MES structure have a much easier time of meeting cost and deadline requirements while also delivering top quality.
