 | | Bert Schukat, Managing Director Schukat electronic |
| What did you and your siblings inherit from your father, and how is this legacy reflected in the Schukat company?
Our father was enthusiastic about technical developments and gradually expanded the product portfolio with electrical components. However, he also recognised the importance of traditional values. In this respect, he communicated openly and transparently, at that time still very rudimentary with typewriters and newsletters, to make it clear to his customers: We communicate honestly, you can rely on us. What he couldn't prepare us for was the challenge of cultural change. What is true today may be completely wrong tomorrow. That's why the feedback culture is so important: we reflect the predictive analyses of our customers' needs and their experiences regarding the products back to the manufacturers. This feedback loop flows directly into product development - turning open customer communication into concrete added value for you!
Going from the typewriter to touchpoints on a customer journey - the change in technology has presented us all with drastic challenges. How have you and your siblings dealt with this change as managing directors?
Technological change, digital transformation, globalisation and changing delivery conditions have posed major challenges for us distributors in recent years. In response, we opened our digitalised logistics centre in Monheim with 10,000 square metres in 2018. The integrated, fully automated small parts warehouse and modern shuttle technology achieved an almost threefold increase in the throughput speed of orders (delivery within 24 hours). This warehouse also provides us with a high level of reliability and customised stocking. Our highlight for this year is our new webshop "shop.schukat.com" with innovative features, which will go online soon.
Mr Schukat, it's clear that despite all the modernisation, you focus on transparency and reliability. How can you continue to guarantee this to your customers in these dynamic market conditions?
While our actions are focussed on being open to modern technologies, we know from experience how important traditional values such as consistency, reliability and fairness are for entrepreneurial success. Building on these values, we have developed long-term, solid and sensibly maintained partnerships with our suppliers and manufacturers. As a result, we can talk to our suppliers in a completely different way and are supplied even in difficult market conditions. For example, we had full stocks even during the pandemic and were able to largely guarantee the availability of our products. Our solution-orientated bottleneck management, coupled with constant quality checks and a large stock, enables us to ensure optimum security of supply.
Does this security also apply to the pricing policy?
Yes, thanks to the good contact with our suppliers - and also because we are a financially independent company - we can realise reasonable and reliable prices that we pass on. With us, customers receive standard quantities at reasonable prices from stock, volumes at customised conditions, products according to customer requirements and special logistics services. This is what we stand for.
Furthermore, environmentally friendly procurement and production processes are becoming increasingly important for your customers. How do you integrate these sustainable practices into your supply chain?
We can offer 100% full traceability from the customer to the manufacturer or upstream supplier for every Schukat item ever supplied. We always pay attention to quality certifications and compliance with ecological guidelines. But we also know that this will no longer be enough in the future. We will also have to introduce fourth party analyses on the subject of sustainability.
What does the future hold for Schukat electronic? Where is the company heading?
Based on the idea of ''corporate responsibility'', we have thoroughly modernised our company for the next generation: In addition to the high level of automation, the ecological building management of the office and warehouse buildings reduces the CO2 footprint. We also only use certified green electricity. I think this opens up a sustainable future for the company. Committed employee management, which has regularly been recognised by the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for "outstanding achievements in vocational training", confirms our efforts in terms of personnel as well as our guiding principle: "Our actions towards business partners and employees are based on mutual satisfaction and appreciation, continuity and independence.''
A great guiding principle. How do these principles come into play in your customer relationships?
They lead to a trust-based, transparent communication culture with you, our customers. For you, too, business is becoming faster-moving and more difficult to plan. Technology is developing rapidly. In addition, new legal regulations and industry-specific standards must always be complied with. Tight timeframes increase the pressure to deliver results. That is why it is particularly important to us not only to provide you with personal advice from a trained, technical sales team, but also to make customised products available. We can offer "plug-and-play" solutions (in co-operation with our manufacturers) even for small quantities. Schukat electronic is thus developing more and more in the direction of a service provider. In addition to warehousing, we also offer design support as well as product and material customisation. Our goal is clear: we want to maximise your satisfaction while maintaining our values of consistency, reliability and fairness.
Mr Schukat, what would you like to say to your customers in conclusion?
We would like to thank you, our customers, suppliers and of course our employees on behalf of the company and also personally for 60 successful years. Without your support at all levels, we would not have been able to achieve such growth. We look forward to exciting projects and continued successful partnerships! |
