"Innovation is Communication"
AL-KO KOBER SE was founded in 1931 by Alois Kober as a small metalworking shop in the Bavarian town of Großkötz. Nowadays, the multiple award-winning company is represented worldwide as a manufacturer of components for the automotive industry and a pioneer when it comes to innovation. Despite its international presence, the family business run by the third generation is strongly rooted in its home region and continues to choose its headquarters in Germany for essential business locations, such as its new technology center. Harald Kober, Chairman of AL-KO KOBER SE, is responsible for the corporate division of vehicle technology and explains, among others, what constitutes the innovative power of the company and which goals AL-KO is planning to achieve in the future.
GSC: In 2013, for the third time in succession, AL-KO KOBER SE received the innovation prize "Top 100". The company has made it to the 4th rank this year and has registered a total of 700 patents so far – a remarkable achievement. What exactly makes up the innovative strength of AL-KO?
Harald Kober: "Innovation is communication" – and we adhere to this principle. We rely on the expertise of each individual employee. Therefore, we maintain an open communication culture in which everyone can make suggestions. In addition, our employees generate new ideas in specific innovation and high performance teams. Moreover, communication to our customers, who use our products on a daily basis, plays a crucial role. This feedback is directly included in our innovation process.
GSC: The family business founded in 1931 emphasizes in particular the effectiveness of its organizational structure. How can this structure be described? Does it also foster the development of innovations?
Harald Kober: We are a family business run in the third generation that was founded over 80 years ago by my grandfather. Currently, my brother, my cousin, and I form the board. We maintain close contact with each other and to our employees. Short distances, open doors, and therefore the above-mentioned communication within the company, have a positive effect on the development of innovations.
GSC: Already in 1989, AL-KO was awarded the federal prize "innovative services" for the first freely programmable extraction system in the world. Air and extract technology are definitely among your innovative strengths. Which of your business segments are also characterized by innovation and why?
Harald Kober: That's right. In the field of air technology, we have been able to establish ourselves with innovative products at an early stage. But also in the field of vehicle technology, as a leading manufacturer of components for motorhomes, caravans, and utility trailers, we offer our customers advanced solutions that do not only considerably increase comfort, but – more importantly – make a positive contribution to road safety. Our colleagues of the third division, Garden + Hobby, conquer the market with innovative products for ambitious hobby gardeners, whether it is with our future-oriented lawnmower "Robolinho" for a fully automatic lawn care or with lawnmowers that are adapted to our aging society with their special device to attach boxes and their comfortable handles.
GSC: This year in July, the construction of a new technology center at the company's headquarters in the Bavarian Kötz has started as part of AL-KO's program "Zukunftsoffesive 2015". Why was Germany chosen as the location?
Harald Kober: We are building this technology center to unite our development teams of all three divisions under one roof. This enables us to exploit synergies and – trying to foster further innovations – learn from each other. It is by no means an option for us to build such an important technology center in another country. AL-KO was founded in 1931 here in Kötz and we continue to see ourselves as a family business deeply rooted in the region. We are one of the largest employers in the region and want to maintain this status in the future.
GSC: The company is present in 28 countries. Internationality also seems to be a success factor for AL-KO. Which markets are you planning on entering in the future?
Harald Kober: We want to get increasingly engaged in the B2C business and enter the retail market with our innovative solutions. Of course, operations in emerging markets and emerging industrial nations are of interest to us. Due to our history we have a strong position in Europe, but already today we are represented on all continents. We will increasingly use our innovative strength to customize products to meet the needs of new international markets.
GSC: As medium-sized company that has won multiple awards, you are not only among the most innovative but also among the most successful. What do you want to achieve in the coming years?
Harald Kober: As we are aiming at a continuous improvement process, it remains our goal to increase our competitiveness. The expertise of our staff and the ideas and suggestions of our customers through an open innovation process is what we rely on. We focus on an advancing product, process and service quality. This is the only way for us to further establish AL-KO as a trademark in the market. We want to continue inspiring our customers with innovative, new products.
GSC: Thank you very much for this informative interview, Mr. Kober.
More information: www.al-ko.com