XtraBlatt Issue 02-2020
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INTERVIEW<br />
MASCHINENFABRIK BERNARD KRONE<br />
SAILING ON<br />
The Krone farm machinery division thankfully<br />
sailed free and fair through the corona<br />
squalls of 2<strong>02</strong>0. But what lessons were<br />
learnt from this period? And what<br />
might the long-term consequences<br />
be? <strong>XtraBlatt</strong> discusses some<br />
results of the crisis with Martin<br />
Eying, managing director sales/<br />
marketing, and marketing<br />
manager Henrik Feldmann.<br />
<strong>XtraBlatt</strong>: We already reported in <strong>XtraBlatt</strong> issue 1-2<strong>02</strong>0<br />
the precautionary measures undertaken by Krone in spring<br />
to combat the effects of the corona virus. How should we<br />
summarise the results of all efforts following nearly nine<br />
months in pandemic mode?<br />
Martin Eying: As far as company-internal measures are<br />
concerned, we can be very positive. Certainly, such measures<br />
sometimes entailed enormous changes for all employees.<br />
Reorganisation of all processes was also a huge undertaking,<br />
but one that was carried out with great commitment and<br />
energy by everyone concerned. An example is the way in<br />
which our IT department established at such short notice<br />
the necessary technology for home office work wherever required.<br />
Many other departments mastered similar challenges.<br />
Today, we can recognise that the limitations and regulations<br />
imposed by the situation, although not always easy, have<br />
become part of normality. All, and this means every single<br />
person involved in our complete team, have excelled in terms<br />
of responsibility and commitment during this time, and for<br />
this deserve heartfelt appreciation!<br />
Henrik Feldmann: Our internal pandemic working group not<br />
only succeeded in developing the initial protection concepts<br />
and then applying the measures decided upon; the group<br />
also continually optimised and redirected the measures. For<br />
instance, in summer at the end of the holiday season. The<br />
result is that, since March, we’ve maintained continuous<br />
production and deliveries without quarantine restrictions<br />
and any significant downtime losses. We’ve been able<br />
to fulfil completely the orders of our customers, and<br />
this makes us very happy indeed!<br />
<strong>XtraBlatt</strong>: And the delivery chains of suppliers?<br />
Weren’t these interrupted?<br />
Eying: Naturally there were shortterm<br />
disruptions initially, but no<br />
definite stoppages. Through<br />
a number of our European<br />
suppliers being quickly<br />
registered in spring as<br />
system relevant, overall production continued smoothly with<br />
no significant bottlenecks.<br />
<strong>XtraBlatt</strong>: In other words, a good basis for a satisfactory<br />
gross turnover in the farm machinery division of 732 million<br />
€ and 4.8 % growth.....<br />
Feldmann: Please don’t forget, though, that our business year<br />
begins 1st August and ends 31st July. In other words, into<br />
the 2019/2<strong>02</strong>0 results have flowed the earnings from seven<br />
months without corona. Still, by the time the pandemic was<br />
underway in spring, we didn’t dare hope for the respectable<br />
results we in fact achieved by July although, as mentioned,<br />
we did, after all, fulfill all our orders.<br />
Eying: Naturally, demand developed very differently in<br />
individual markets. But on the whole, it was acceptable in<br />
all countries: not only in terms of gross turnover but still<br />
more concerning market share. Our estimates indicate an<br />
additional 1 % for all our machinery categories worldwide.<br />
Looking back though, we can see this is typical. Especially in<br />
so-called crisis years, Krone has always profited above the<br />
average reported by competition.<br />
<strong>XtraBlatt</strong>: Why is this?<br />
Eying: The reasons are to be found in the core values of the<br />
family and the Krone company. For generations, these entail<br />
absolute orientation on customers and service, on flexibility<br />
as well as intensive personal contact with practicing farmers<br />
and the markets. Nowadays, of course, the steady growth of<br />
the company means this concept has other characteristics<br />
than those of 20 or even 40 years ago. But the basic principle<br />
remains. And it’s clear that customers really appreciate such<br />
values, especially during difficult years.<br />
<strong>XtraBlatt</strong>: But this personal “connection” to customers is<br />
increasingly difficult under corona conditions.....<br />
Feldmann: That’s true. But it’s still possible. Certainly, what<br />
we’ve had to accept from the pandemic situation is that, in<br />
the near future anyway, large-scale trade fairs will not be<br />
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