Congratulations on the 50th anniversary of Comau! Looking back: What has been the most significant technological development in your company?

Volker Buchbauer: First of all, thank you very much for the congratulations, the 50th anniversary is a very significant and important milestone that proves that Comau has always strived to offer its customers new technologies over this long period of time. When we look back over the last 50 years, the most important and characteristic element for our company is not linked to a single project or product. Rather, it is Comau's ability to change itself, thanks to the constant updating of its resources' capabilities and the development of systems tailored to the ever-changing needs of the market, and therefore of its customers. We are already building our future on this commitment to innovation, as we demonstrated at Automatica.

At the trade fair, we did indeed present solutions that are unique on the market, such as the mobile robotic welding system for shipbuilding and other sectors, which was developed together with a leading Italian company on the market, Fincantieri. Or the new lumbar exoskeleton, which was tested with another leading Italian company in the wholesale sector, Esselunga. The mobile factory for more efficient installation of solar cells (Hyperflex), our family of vision systems for automation in logistics (MI.RA) and the digital platform from Intrinsic (Flowstate), an Alphabet Group company that Comau uses and co-developed. Not forgetting our eMobility technologies - an industry in which we are already established thanks to our historical experience in the automotive sector.

Is there an absolute "bestseller" and what characterizes it?

Buchbauer : Comau is particularly known worldwide for its automotive manufacturing systems, both combustion and hybrid and electric drives. In this area, we have developed advanced technologies for the assembly and welding of car body parts over the years, which, for example, enable 20 robots to work simultaneously at one station. We offer our customers flexible and scalable solutions that make it possible to produce several vehicles on one line at the same time. These technologies are developed and integrated in digital environments and have evolved to meet the new requirements of e-mobility, such as battery-related processes.

Comau is characterized by the fact that, in addition to its expertise in complex systems, it also focuses on its expertise in individual products to ensure constant innovation. For example, we now also offer digital platforms, exoskeletons, i.e. wearable robotic devices. These technology elements are complemented by simultaneous engineering, project management and training. This expertise is reinforced by a globally coordinated local presence in 13 countries, enabling us to offer our customers the best of our know-how and technology in every respect.

In 50 years, not everything has been rosy: in your opinion, what has been the most difficult moment for the company?

Buchbauer: There are critical moments in all companies. They can be caused by external factors, such as the Covid pandemic or the macroeconomic scenario, or by internal situations, such as unexpected problems in product development. However, the most important thing is to turn the difficulties into an opportunity for further development. It depends on how you react to difficult moments that are unavoidable.

What technological trends and challenges do you see Comau facing in the next ten to 15 years?

Buchbauer: The demand for automation is growing globally by more than 10 percent per year, with even higher peaks in sectors that are opening up to these technologies, such as logistics, pharmaceuticals, construction and shipbuilding, to name just a few examples. Drawing on its experience in the 'traditional' automotive sector and its consolidated presence in the e-mobility sector, Comau is developing increasingly diversified technologies based on advanced robotics and digital technology to make the production processes of many industries more efficient and sustainable. This is made possible by the commitment to innovation and the skills of our employees, who have been adding value to the company for 50 years.

If this is our horizon for the coming years, then the biggest challenge from a technological and commercial perspective is the one we are already addressing: bringing the benefits of automation to new areas to meet our customers' production needs.