How industry can benefit from experiences in China / Beijing responds to crisis with the next thrust of digitalization – German economy ready for a new start

Köngen/Shanghai – China is about six weeks ahead of Germany in the course of the corona pandemic. When the first serious restrictions were imposed here in mid-March, China began ramping up their factories again. From reactivating supply chains and stabilizing production lines to ensuring hygiene and safety distances when employees return to the plants – everything the German industry will soon encounter can already be observed there. German companies should take a close look and learn from these experiences, advises business consultancy Staufen.

“We have been operating branches in China for many years and are now using this wealth of knowledge to help German customers, as well as for other international locations. The number of calls from customers and colleagues has increased significantly,” says Tobias Monden, Managing Director of Staufen in Shanghai. “Many questions are currently focused on the issue of supply chain. Since almost all of our consultants – from Shenyang in the north to Hong Kong in the south – have returned to their offices or customer projects after working from home, we have obtained a very comprehensive overview and insight into how well China is restarting. Some factories are already back to 100%.”

Markus Riegger, as CEO of Staufen AG who is also responsible for the Chinese market, coordinates global knowledge transfer. He also sees a great opportunity to utilize the experiences from China for the European – and then the American – industry: “In addition to reactivating supply chains, the topic of efficiency plays a major role. How can I produce economically with a capacity utilization of perhaps only 70 or 80 percent? For many suppliers these days, this is an existential question.”

Investment in the Industry 4.0 project “Made in China 2025” is increasing

In addition to the even closer cooperation with his European and American colleagues, Staufen consultant Monden has been conserned with something else: “Anyone who thinks that China taking their foot off the accelerator for digitization because of the economic slump in the first quarter is mistaken. On the contrary – in addition to the comprehensive digital measures in the fight against the coronavirus, topics such as e-learning and collaboration tools are being accelerated once again.”

Moreover, the Chinese government is noticeably intensifying its efforts for the Industry 4.0 project “Made in China 2025.” “For all projects focusing on supply chain or performance improvement, the topic of digitization must therefore also play a central role in German companies. This is also an especially important lesson from China,” Monden emphasizes.

About Staufen AG – www.staufen.ag

Inside every company there is an even better one. With this conviction, Staufen AG has been advising and qualifying companies and employees for more than 25 years. Markets are on the move – the competitive pressure is enormous. Staufen helps to quickly bring about the right changes, increase productivity, improve quality and increase innovative strength. With the most fitting strategies and methods, international transformation consulting ensures rapid and measurable success. With an aim towards raising the potential available in every company, Staufen consultants work side-by-side with company executives and employees to establish a vibrant and long-term culture of change. Staufen subsidiary Staufen Digital Neonex supports medium-sized industrial companies on their path to digital transformation. The Academy of Staufen AG also offers certified, practice-oriented training courses. From the international locations, more than 340 employees serve customers all over the world. In 2019, Staufen AG was recognized by “brand eins Wissen” as “Best Consultants” for the sixth year in a row. According to the renowned industry study “Hidden Champions 2020,” the consulting firm is Germany’s best lean management consultancy and was honored several times with the “Best of Consulting” award by the “Wirtschaftswoche” journal.