Welcome to our exclusive interview with Frank Stührenberg, the CEO of Phoenix Contact. In this discussion, we delve into the evolving landscape of industry partnerships, including strategic alliances with Festo and Yaskawa, and the innovative strides Phoenix Contact is making in the realm of industrial automation. Under his leadership, Phoenix Contact has made substantial improvements in industrial automation and digitalization, with PLCnext Technology being a key highlight.

As a leader deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, Mr. Stührenberg places great emphasis on the company’s role in shaping a sustainable world. Their corporate strategy is centered around the vision of an “All Electric Society,” which aims for a future where energy is used as efficiently as possible and generated entirely from renewable sources with PLCnext Technology being at the core.

Join us as we explore how collaboration and innovative products are shaping the future of technology and sustainability, paving the way for customers to create efficient solutions that also contribute to the preservation of our planet.

Embracing Openness: How Digitalization and Globalization are Shaping Industry Partnerships

Intro: Mr. Stührenberg, thank you for your time and sitting down with us.

Stührenberg: Thank you for having me.

Q1: Let’s get straight into it: Can you share how the market’s approach to partnerships has evolved, especially with the increasing emphasis on digitalization and globalization?

“IT and OT are increasingly being considered together; the aim here is to bundle know-how.”

Stührenberg: The landscape of industry partnerships has changed considerably in recent years. At Phoenix Contact, we have been pursuing an approach of consistent openness and integration of expert knowledge for a long time. We are now observing that the market as a whole is becoming more receptive to this philosophy, not least because digitalization and globalization are forcing faster development of products and services in order to maintain a market advantage. IT and OT are increasingly being considered together; the aim here is to bundle know-how. For instance, studies suggest that in 95% of companies, the Chief Information and Security Officer (CISO) is already or will soon be responsible for OT security, a role traditionally rooted in IT.

Intermediate Q: That’s fascinating. Could you give an example of how this openness and integration have benefited Phoenix Contact?

Stührenberg: A key example of this approach is PLCnext Technology, an open ecosystem for modern automation. By integrating PLCnext Technology, we enable seamless collaboration and innovation across different systems and partners. This openness and flexibility allow us to develop customized automation solutions and address future technological challenges, such as cybersecurity, more effectively. This partnership-driven model is essential for mastering the digital transformation and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Strategic Alliances: Driving Innovation through Collaboration with Festo and Yaskawa

Q2: Are these market changes also the driving factor for a strategic technology partnership with Festo and Yaskawa?

Stührenberg: Yes, our partnership with Festo and Yaskawa is a strategic move to leverage the innovative strengths of both companies. By pooling our industry expertise, we want to set the course for solutions that will advance a sustainable world. The collaboration enables seamless integration of IT and OT worlds and makes applications ready for the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Industry 4.0.

Intermediate Q: It sounds like a very forward-thinking approach. How do you ensure that these partnerships remain productive and beneficial for all parties involved?

“At its core, this collaboration [with Festo and Yaskawa] is about creating an ecosystem that is greater than the sum of its parts, promoting innovation and offering tangible benefits such as time and cost savings in application development.”

Stührenberg: At its core, this collaboration is about creating an ecosystem that is greater than the sum of its parts, promoting innovation and offering tangible benefits such as time and cost savings in application development. It’s about embracing the future of automation with a mindset that values collaboration, innovation, and sustainability.

Intermediate Q: Does that mean you are open to more and new partnerships?

Stührenberg: Yes, we are always open to new partnerships. The markets are developing faster and faster, and there are more and more new challenges that we can only face together.

Unlocking Customer Benefits: How PLCnext Technology Meets Modern Automation Demands

Q3: I’m really interested in learning more about PLCnext Technology. The ecosystem, for example, contributes to the continuous development and scalability of hardware, expands the range of functionalities, and broadens the scope of application examples. Could you explain how integrating this technology can enhance the overall experience for customers?

Stührenberg: In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, digitalization and globalization are placing new demands on industrial automation. PLCnext Technology is designed to address these challenges by providing an ecosystem that combines open hardware, modular engineering software, a global community, and a digital software marketplace.

Intermediate Q: Could you elaborate on some specific advantages that PLCnext Technology offers?

Stührenberg: The ability to work with multiple programming languages in real time, the use of open-source software, and the support of a growing PLCnext Community are crucial elements that enable us to offer flexible and scalable solutions for modern automation challenges. This approach not only speeds up application development but also ensures that our systems are secure from the outset and can adapt to future technological advances.

Synergistic Partnerships: Driving Innovation and Value through Collaboration

Q4: When collaborating with other organizations, partners of course are looking for mutual benefits and enhanced outcomes for their projects. In your experience, what synergies do you expect from partnerships?

Stührenberg: At Phoenix Contact, we foster a culture of partnership and trust. This motivates everyone to take responsibility and gives us the freedom to come up with new ideas. Quality, innovative products, and customer satisfaction throughout the entire supply chain are essential for the joint success.

Synergies such as faster development, higher innovation levels, and knowledge sharing lead to competitive advantages. With innovative partners, we delve into identifying which technologies, applications, platforms, and services will be relevant in the future and provide the best and most cost-effective solutions for our customers.

I am convinced that this type of cooperation not only helps us scale solutions better and faster but also leads to a more balanced risk-reward ratio. By working with partners on an equal footing, we can minimize efforts and maximize value.

Innovative Partnerships: Collaborating for a Sustainable World

Q5: How does innovation influence the success of partnerships?

Stührenberg: For us, partnerships are more than just a handshake and exchange of logos; we really want to work openly and as equals. Successful ecosystems therefore need more than classic partner management. It is about promoting common goals and solutions in an innovative way. We need to shift our mindset and move beyond mere announcements of partnerships. It’s about the joint goal of driving innovative solutions.

Being truly open means being open to connecting with other systems and welcoming anyone to contribute their expertise and know-how. This openness is evident in how we engage with the community, such as through open exchanges in forums. By creating a space for rapid networking within the industry, we facilitate faster development cycles, greater creativity, and, consequently, more innovation.

Intermediate Q: How do you see these partnerships contributing to the vision of the All Electric Society?

“In times of major challenges such as human-caused climate change, speed and joint action are essential for innovative and sustainable solutions.”

Stührenberg: In times of major challenges such as human-caused climate change, speed and joint action are essential for innovative and sustainable solutions. We are therefore all the more pleased that our partnerships contribute to the All Electric Society’s vision.

Outro

Thank you for joining us in this insightful conversation with Frank Stührenberg. We’ve explored the dynamic partnerships and groundbreaking innovations that Phoenix Contact is spearheading under his visionary leadership. It’s clear that Phoenix Contact is at the forefront of driving sustainable and efficient industrial solutions.

As we conclude, we hope this discussion has provided valuable perspectives on how strategic collaboration and technological advancements are not only shaping the future of industrial automation but also contributing to a more sustainable world. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and insights from industry leaders who are making a difference.

Until next time, we thank Frank Stührenberg for sharing his expertise with us and let’s continue to innovate and collaborate for a brighter, greener future.