The two-day event was chaired by Tino Eggert (editor-in-chief of “möbelfertigung” and “Arcade”) and Stefan Müller (senior editor, “möbelfertigung”). Sebastian Schmidt (Head of Production at Goldbach Kirchner) presented our new manufacturing facility in a talk entitled “Profitable Production ‘Made in Germany’”. The plant (manufacturer Homag) operates using a multi-site approach, networked according to the Industry 4.0 standard.

In answering three key questions, Sebastian Schmidt gives us a brief insight into his presentation.

“möbelfertigung” magazine:
Which aspects of digitalization or Industry 4.0 do you now view as indispensable within your company?

Sebastian Schmidt:
Real-time reporting about the state of production on the automated lot size 1 production line. This transparency means that we can design our production to respond more flexibly and more dynamically to process faults.

“möbelfertigung” magazine:
The German concept of ‘Industrie 4.0’ is now used (often with the same spelling) even in America and the whole world looks to Germany in terms of the digitalization of production. Is the German furniture industry also in the vanguard here?

Sebastian Schmidt:
Some of those in the furniture industry recognised the potential for digitalization very early on. Industry 4.0 is also becoming increasingly important here and in interior fit-out. At the end of the day, every company is going to be using the Smart Factory and IIoT.

“möbelfertigung” magazine:
What will be the main focus of your talk at the industry event “Efficient Furniture Manufacturing in Practice”, hosted by this magazine?

Sebastian Schmidt:
I’ll be introducing our lot size 1 production line in Dessau, Germany, and our inter-site networking. Both of these are essential to our profitable production ‘Made in Germany’.

All photos “möbelfertigung”/photographer: Guido Schiefer“