To give you an idea of how swiftly the KION Group responded to the rapidly developing situation surrounding the European spread of the coronavirus back in March, consider how one of its brands, Dematic, was able to creatively turn things around. Just a few days after Germany’s enormous LogiMAT trade show was cancelled due to the pandemic, the supply chain and automation specialist sent out invitations via all social media channels to a very special event: the Dematic Virtual Showcase. In webinars lasting up to 45 minutes, Dematic experts provided German and English-speaking customers as well as journalists with information on intralogistics services for all industry segments. It was an impressive debut that will now be continued. "After LogiMAT was cancelled and our online March event was so well received with fantastic attendance figures, we decided to promote additional automation solutions using this format and in a global context," explains Rainer Buchmann, the CEO at Dematic Central Europe.
Virtual showcase with more dates, more languages and more topics
From June 15 through July 2, the Dematic Virtual Showcase is offering over 40 web events globally: in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian. "Dematic is providing the opportunity to follow a wide range of innovation topics in their own languages and time zones from the comfort of their homes or offices," explains an enthusiastic Dominic Fischer, a global marketing manager of Events & Sponsorship at Dematic. The focus is on targeted solutions for industry segments such as food processing and retail grocery, the protein industry, e-commerce and refrigeration. There are also product-related online events focusing on specialized solutions - from Dematic’s latest multishuttle system to micro-fulfillment and automated mixed-case palletizing (AMCAP). The online sessions are not without an opportunity to have a real conversation, however; during the presentations, participants receive direct support from solution experts, and once a presentation has ended, they are available to answer questions in live discussion rounds.
Contact-free meeting at the interactive industry events
In tandem with the Dematic Virtual Showcase, another KION brand, Linde Material Handling, will be participating with its own virtual exhibition stand at the digital trade show, "materialfluss world + conference" from Wednesday, June 17 through Friday, July 3. Visitors can take a digital tour of the exhibition and obtain information as if they were visiting a real trade show stand, with a wide range of videos, 3D product presentations, assorted product literature and links to relevant websites. The focus is on Linde solutions in digitalization, energy systems, intralogistics and automation. Visitors can learn all about the latest generation of Linde H20-H35 counterbalance forklifts and low-lift order pickers, or contact experts via live chat in real time and ask questions about products. A click of the mouse also takes them to the virtual conference hall, where informative presentations by industry experts are available. In its own June 25 webinar, Linde Material Handling will also be offering intelligent solutions for physical distancing to prevent future plant closures.
Chinese online conference on pharmaceutical logistics
Another challenge related to the pandemic was discussed at a digital conference on pharmaceutical logistics, which was held in China in late May. In a 30-minute live broadcast, Gao Zhongyin, a manager for System Solutions at Linde MH (China), shared his views on modernizing material flow technology in the pharmaceutical industry with an audience of industry professionals watching via home screens. With an estimated audience of roughly 4,000, Linde (China)'s participation in the live broadcast was deemed a success, demonstrating new ways in China to exchange industry information while digitally networking in a virtual environment.
Webinar offering advice on automation transformation
But it is not just various medical segments whose global supply chains and logistics processes have been put to the test over the last several months. With many enterprises in search of future-proof solutions, automation has quickly become their focus of attention. "We are currently receiving a great deal of customer queries who want to make their logistics as crisis-proof as possible as well as efficient and employee-friendly," says Thomas A. Fischer, the managing sales director for Marketing and Service (CSO) at STILL. To provide practical answers to these questions, the KION brand has put together a webinar, "Systematic optimization of logistics thanks to automated processes" for June 24. The organizers are providing the session in German and English. It is targeted at industry professionals who want to explore their individual automation options. STILL specialists will guide participants through the individual planning steps: from the joint analysis of a warehouse’s and production logistics’ automation potential to defining the technical prerequisites for individualized automation options.
Customer dialogue goes digital with apps, live chats and more
If anything has been made clear since March, it is that the KION brands have found new ways to stay in touch with customers even in the new era of physical distancing. It is reflected in the new online events offered as well as in how the brands deal with daily queries involving product information or sales discussions.
To quickly and easily start a dialogue, Linde Material Handling has installed a live chat on its homepage. Here, sales consultants offer expert advice to all questions. Products are available with virtual 360° views, providing a detailed overview via your home or office computer set-up.
A similar approach is being taken by STILL with its EASY app, which attractively displays the KION brand’s entire truck portfolio along with many details. The app is also being used for customer meetings via Microsoft Teams. The app has been seamlessly integrated into the digital tool for teamwork and can be used by all conversation participants to view various vehicle details during the meeting. In this way, an in-depth virtual product presentation combined a digital dialogue ensure a well-rounded customer experience with a superior level of customized advice.
