Interview with the new Director Research and Development Mr Robert Tordy

Interview with the new Director Research and Development Mr Robert Tordy

CU:
Mr Tordy, you have only been Director Research and Development (R&D) for a few days. How do you feel about it so far?

RT:
I’m very glad I chose Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH – especially since I didn’t come to Baden for the first time; I was already employed in Karlsruhe before. Ettlingen is just a stone's throw away and I like it very much. And after a very professional recruiting process, I am being very intensively incorporated into my new position. That is, Hirschmann endeavours to provide employees with a good basis for long-term co-operation and maintain this. That is exactly what you need to deliver optimum performance and results. I feel very comfortable and welcome.

CU:
What professional positions did you hold before you joined Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH?

RT:
Before my present position, I was employed with the Siemens Group in development, marketing and sales, and also as managing director of ICT Software Engineering. So I’m familiar with the different sides of the automation industry, and have many years of extensive experience in the engineering of automation solutions, in the development of industrial and embedded products, in the management of international projects, in technical consulting, marketing and sales and in the managment of various organisations. I’m also a guest-lecturer at Karlsruhe university, which I enjoy very much.

CU:
bauma 2010 in Munich was a great success for Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH and has been noted as a trend reversal for the international construction industry. How do you see it? Is the crisis over?

RT:
I was there for two days and was really inspired: bauma is a great trade fair! Whether the crisis is really over or not will become clear over the next few weeks. We’ll have to be a little bit patient. What struck me was the general spirit of optimism on all sides: both customers and the exhibitors have mirrored that in personal interviews. That makes us feel very optimistic!

CU:
How do you react to this sentiment?

RT:
It is always important for us, to provide the right products to growing demand - we want our customers to be satisfied and we work hard. All our products are and will continue to be geared for the future, adapted to new requirements and standards. We have, for example with the new Scalable Mobile Controller, the new peripherals and sensors responded precisely to these needs. Customers today appreciate this with the integration of our solutions into their products and projects.

CU:
The next big event to come is bauma China. Will you be there? How important is the Asian market in particular for the HIRSCHMANN brand?

RT:
As the Asian market is very important to us, and since we’ve already been operating there for almost 20 years, we will indeed also be at bauma China. This year will in fact be the 5th time! Our Chinese colleagues came to see us at the bauma in Munich, and the initial preparations for bauma China are already underway. The way is paved for an equally successful show.

CU:
New employees give fresh impetus to a company: What are your goals? What do you want to focus on in particular?

RT:
My goal is to develop "world class products" with my colleagues. I had several opportunities to do that in the past (e.g. SIMATIC WinCC, PCS7, SIDIS), and I would like to continue with Hirschmann.

I have full agreement with the management board, for us to increase our already high investments into new product developments in the next few years.

Of course, for us this means a lot of work, because we will improve and expand the currently existing product range. In addition, we will work closely with our customers, who we see more as partners in the future. Through close co-operation and active exchanges, we can tailor our products exactly to the market or industry requirements. I would like to renew and intensify the relations with our customers at the R&D level.

CU:
Mr. Tordy, thanks for the talk and we hope you continue to enjoy success in research and development at Hirschmann Automation and Control GmbH!

CONTROL unlimited
May 2010