Behind the scenes of a winner
Managing Director of Planemos GmbH Roland Riedl explains connection between astronomy and automation in the food industry
In June, the Planemos GmbH received the Founders Award Middle Franconia in the category concept. As the headquarters of the new company is literally in the vicinity of the yumda office, we congratulated personally award.
yumda GmBH
Roland Riedl, one of the founders, gave us a look behind the scenes of the software company.
yumda: When and what is the business idea come about?
Planemos: From a large change out. In the fall of 2012, a long journey together went with my then employer to an end. Shortly after that I met my current Compagnon, Thomas Bux, again. He, too, had left our joint employer in the summer of 2012. We talked about it to put something together on the legs.
The concept was clear: software for automation solutions in the food industry. The reaction of our know-how just. Our first idea was to set up a branch of an already established company. We took with different companies to contact. In discussions with potential business partners, we quickly came to the conclusion that our entrepreneurship on their own is more important than the partnership with a subordinate voting.
yumda: How did the name "Planemos"?
Planemos: After we had already pondered a suitable name for several hours, the chance came to our aid: While surfing the internet we stumbled across the term "Planemos". According to Wikipedia, a Planemo is an astronomical object that would be a planet due to its mass. However, the planetary mass moves on any orbit of a fixed star system but independent and free in space.
The Planemos GmbH is independent and free - therefore this definition fits perfectly with our concept.
yumda: What makes your offering from other providers?
Planemos: We provide independent advice and can offer flexible solutions. No matter what our customers need, be it an extension of their existing plant, an optimization or a complete new building. We have many years of extensive experience in the automation of production and understand the problems of our customers. So we come up with even software systems that show examples of weaknesses within the production or make energy use more efficient.
yumda: Which product segments of the food and beverage industry your automation software can be used?
Planemos: beverage manufacturers, but also manufacturers of bakery and meat products we can offer our solutions.
Our specialty is the area of dairy and cheese factory, as we know these manufacturing processes well. In order to find appropriate solutions here, innovations are needed because it must during the production of dairy products, many things are taken into account: the legal rules that are as strictly as in the pharmaceutical sector and the manufacturing process itself, which is more complex than for drinks.
In the preparation of baked goods and meat products, the processes are frequently interrupted by the manual processing steps. For this to develop the right solutions is a challenge, the automation industry has to face now.
yumda: What role do you see the theme of growth?
Planemos: In the beginning we are of moderate growth, especially in German-speaking countries, is assumed. But we also very quickly receive orders from abroad, such as from Russia, China and England. That is why we need more staff.
We want to grow healthy - with a big exclamation mark. However, is important to us to continue to respond flexibly to individual customer needs. In order for it to have appropriate staff, we are looking for graduates and want to train themselves. As of September 2014, two training courses for the profession of IT specialist for application development are already taken. We also offer internships.
yumda: Which communication channels to promote your products? How to win your prospects and customers?
Planemos: Personal contacts are very important to us. But of course, we also use the traditional channels such as trade shows, presentations at conferences, print media or mailings. Our website and our network are always up to date We also want to soon use new media for content and online communications.
yumda: Where do you find out about offers, if you need to make an investment?
Planemos: About all information channels. The initial research online and running as soon as we have more background knowledge, we seek dialogue with experts.
yumda: Mr. Riedl, we thank you for the substantial conversation and the valuable time.
Before we say goodbye, we want to know something personal and asked Mr. Riedl for his favorite dish. With a grin, he tells us: "Fried potatoes with pickled cucumbers".
The editorial team is looking forward to more opportunities for active exchange with industry professionals.
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