XtraBlatt Issue 02-2020

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