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COVER STORY: Engineering For A Better World. Interview with Alexander Krausse. GEA, Vice President, Supply Chain & Production APAC
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Engineering For A Better World
Interview with Alexander Krausse
GEA, Vice President, Supply Chain & Production APAC
By Romee C.

BT 201906 340X458Engineering for a better world
专访Alexander Krausse先生GEA 集团亚太区供应链与生产副总裁

GEA集团是全球领先的食品加工及众多工业领域技术供应商之一。作为国际技术集团,GEA集团专注于机械制造,生产运营,工艺技术及其设备组件。GEA集团致力于为不同最终用户市场的复杂生产过程提供可持续的解决方案,并提供全面的服务组合。

GEA集团应用领域广泛,包括食品,饮料,乳品加工,休闲和运动,制药,化工,家庭和个人护理,牧场,船舶,运输,通用技术等。GEA集团为众多客户的特定应用领域提供个性化和可持续的解决方案。

以下数据可以帮助你了解GEA的服务在世界上应用的广泛程度,比如:约1/4的牛奶由GEA设备加工而成,平均每三块鸡块就有一块是由GEA设备加工而成,大约1/3的速溶咖啡生产线由GEA建成,大约1/2的啤酒在GEA系统和加工解决方案的协助下酿造,1/4的医用人体血液由GEA设备处理,超过1/3的聚合物生产商使用GEA干燥技术,全球1/2的集装箱船舶装备了GEA的船舶设备。

本期《津卫商务》对GEA集团亚太区供应链与生产副总裁Alexander Krausse先生进行了专访, 深入了解他在这个行业里有哪些独到的经历与经验。

您为创新型制造业提供生产指导和供应链管理方面拥有33年的职业经验,这是非常了不起的。请谈一下您是如何起步的呢?

在完成了我的机械工程学学业后,我一共在4家公司工作过。其中我工作过的第一家公司是坐落于德国南部的全球排名第一的电锯制造企业,此后我又陆续在其他几家公司工作过。直到现在,我已经在GEA集团工作了十年。

您能否总结一下在您的领导下GEA集团亚太地区取得的三大成就?您认为最满意的是什么?

当我2012年来到中国的时候,我的目标是筹备成立我们现在所在的这个美丽的工厂,这当然是我最大的成就,为此我感到非常骄傲。此后,我又担当起了GEA亚太区供应链管理和生产的职责。我们的足迹遍布亚太地区,我们成功的将中国东南部的几家GEA工厂迁移到了苏州。现在,我们的足迹更集中在某些规模相当大的工厂上。我们在亚太区的几个工厂目前规模均在200-300人。

在来中国之前,我一直在我的祖国德国工作,从未在国外工作过。当我来到这里,我的第一感觉就很喜欢这个美丽的地方。我喜欢和中国人和印度人一起工作。能更快的实现目标,毫不犹豫地迎接挑战和改变,这些成就给我带来了满足感和动力。

0J8A9756 PanoGEA is one of the largest technology suppliers for food processing and a wide range of other industries. Employing over 18000 employees worldwide, the global group specializes in machinery plants, as well as process technology and components.
 

We were given the opportunity to interview Mr Alexander Krausse, Vice President of Supply Chain & Production APAC of GEA, a company that provides sustainable solutions for sophisticated production processes in diverse end user markets and offers a comprehensive service portfolio.


BT 201906 COVER 02Your 33-year career in directing production and supply chain for innovative manufacturing companies is quite remarkable. How did you get started?

The first 5 years after finishing my studies in mechanical engineering I worked for the company Stihl near Stuttgart which is the world’s biggest selling chainsaw brand. I then had 2 other professional assignments before joining GEA where I have now been working for the last 10 years.
BT 201906 COVER 03Can you sum up the GEA Group’s top three achievements in APAC under your leadership? What do you consider to be the most fulfilling?

When I came to China in 2012 my objective was to build up this highly efficient and state of the art factory here in Tianjin. After having achieved this I took on the overall responsibility for GEA Westfalia Separator in China. Since 2015 I am responsible for GEA’s supply chain and production organization in the Asia pacific region. Since then I have successfully managed projects to consolidate our production footprint in the region. Our factories in APAC are now of the right size of 200 - 300 employees. Working with my Asian colleagues and business partners in China and India is very fulfilling.

I like things here in China. When I first came here, I immediately fell in love with the country and the people. Here I have the ability to achieve things quicker and go for challenges and changes without hesitation. These successes give me satisfaction and motivation.
 DSC0887What GEA products and applications are being produced in the plants that you are managing at this moment?

GEA is one of the largest technology suppliers for food processing and a wide range of other industries including dairy, beverages, chemical, pharma, utilities and marine.

At the factory here in Tianjin, we produce centrifuges for all kind of applications but mainly for the marine sector. We have recently added to our portfolio also roller mills to make flour from grain.
BT 201906 cover 01What do you consider as the hardest challenge you’ve had to face in your current role and how you did you overcome this?

It has been a challenge not only to develop our production sites to serve China and the rest of Asia but also to bring these sites on an eye to eye level with our European organization. I had to exercise patience and tenacity.


What global trends do you see in the next five years that are of interest to GEA?

GEA’s solutions are characterized by megatrends such as continued population growth, rising urbanization and progressing climate: In the future, more and more people will require an adequate supply of food, energy or pharmaceutical products – always on the premise that resources are being conserved. As an internationally active technology group, which is one of the world’s largest suppliers of process technology in food production, GEA deals with these macroeconomic trends.

GEA is convinced that only industrial process technology can meet the safety, quality and shelf life requirements of critical consumers.
 DSC0705What are the projections in terms of demand? In what way are you prepared to face these changes?

There is no doubt we have competition, both internationally and locally, but we are dealing quite well with it. We are continuously growing in all Asian markets and by localizing and strengthening our services in the region we are able to better face the growing demand.

What are GEA’s latest innovations in food processing and packaging technology?

GEA has a new innovative machine called “Thermoformer Power Pak Plus” which is used to pack different kind of food under various conditions, under vacuum or under protective gas. We are continuously improving these machines so they can work with even thinner materials to minimize the use of plastic. This helps to save resources and reduce overall cost for our customers.

 DSC0256 PanoCan you share some of the main highlights of “OneGEA” program and how have you progressed so far on the local emerging markets?

The “OneGEA” organization was implemented in June 2015. It was a reorganization of the GEA group into a functional setup. A big advantage of OneGEA: our customer proximity based on the country organizations. It allows us to present one face to the customer worldwide. Currently there are some adjustments being made to the OneGEA set-up to further improve the organization of the GEA group. In this context, we pursue the aim of combining the best of two worlds – i.e., the benefits of the OneGEA structure and the advantages of a transparent, divisional and entrepreneurial structure.

What misconception about GEA technology did you have to address during your localization process?


I am surprised that the Chinese market to some extent, still has a strong demand for products produced in Germany. I would have expected more preference for products produced in China to ensure full employment locally and to create tax income in the country.

We are still on the way to convincing our customers that we produce “Quality made by GEA”. The slogan is not quality made in Germany anymore. Our quality standards are the same worldwide.
AVA 8455 copyOne particular food trend is the desire for less sweeteners, no preservatives, yet maintaining the taste? In what way has GEA leveraged on this demand?

This is a topic that our FPP-Food Processing and Packaging business is actively working on. GEA is partner with major food and dairy customers like Cargill, Arla food, Nestle and many more. Together we are developing machines and processes of improved performance. Food and beverage processing and packaging is so advanced and sterile that there is no need for preservatives anymore. In addition, there are also other trends, such as to gain protein from insects. The worldwide demand for protein is increasing with the population growth, and new sources are required to be found. Insects are a good source and our machines are able to process.
 

For the purpose of our readers, can you name some of the most important brands, which you are catering for, in China?

As mentioned earlier: Cargill, Arla food, Nestle, Yili, Mengniu, Tsingtao and many other bigger and smaller companies in the industry.
 DSC0108What do you consider as required traits or characteristics when evaluating new talent?

Number 1 is language! The ability to communicate in English is a must. Sure, if we look for a welder, it should be a good welder, simple as that. But if we look for a purchaser or a production planner or somebody who is considered to take over more responsibility in the future, having good language skills in my view is a priority.

The number 2 is initiative! We need people who have drive and who are able to think out of the box, who want to take responsibility and are proactive. This is something we look for when recruiting new colleagues.
DSC 0136As GEA puts a high focus on sustainability and value creation. Excellence, passion, integrity, responsibility and GEA-versity are company’s values. How is top management able to encourage employees to embrace these core values?

Top managers do this by being an example! We live our values. This is the only way to convince. You cannot pray and force people to accept and live values, if you yourself do not act accordingly.

Who has been your greatest influence?

Some people may tell stories about being influenced by Jack Welch, Steve Jobs and other significant business leaders. However, I don’t.

Of course, I had influencers. Luckily, I’ve always had good bosses who gave me good leadership and who guided me in the right direction. For a very long period in my professional career, I worked for a family-owned company reporting to the company owner – an entrepreneur. He was also one of my influencers. I am also influenced by family and friends.

I read relevant books and consult with experts in my field. I have many sources but at the end of the day, it’s me!
 DSC0220Which personal initiative do you feel most proud of?

When I joined GEA in 2009, I was located in Germany with a very different job. Then, somehow I slipped into this China project. Very soon I took over the project responsibility and only one year later my desk was moved to Tianjin. Then I had the opportunity to build up the new factory, to get it started and to ensure everything runs smoothly. I think this has been my greatest achievement, and I am definitely proud of it. Of course, it wasn’t me alone, it was a teamwork.

How do you relax at the end of the day?

Working for a German Company in China, I rarely find time to relax in the evenings. This is because Germany is 6 to 7 hours behind China so most days at 3:00 pm the calls with Germany are just starting and they can go on till midnight at times. So relaxing is mainly for the weekend. Rebuilding my energy by working out and exercising to preserve my health and because it’s fun. I also enjoy going out with my friends for a nice dinner and a drink or making short trips to nearby cities.
天津GEA 03What top advice can you give to aspiring young professionals who want to follow in your footsteps?

Don’t focus on money but focus on challenge! Only then you can feel success and build up strong self-motivation. The money will follow automatically. Think internationally and be willing to go to other countries for employment - it will open your mind.
天津GEA 12Approximately one quarter of processed milk and every third chicken nugget is produced by GEA production systems; every second litre of beer is brewed with the aid of systems and process solutions from GEA; every fourth litre of human blood for making plasma derived products equipment is processed using GEA; more than one third of all polymer producers using GEA dry technology and every second container ship in the world sails with GEA equipment on board. Whether it comes to food production systems or technologies in all fields, it is in touch with GEA every day.

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