Inspiring impulses for innovation and growth, fascinating anniversary moments, lots of fun, celebrating and saying thank you – that's what CEO Thomas Böck is looking forward to in the anniversary year.
Mr. Böck, Festo is turning 100. How does it feel to celebrate this important anniversary?
Celebrating 100 successful years – that is unique. Preparations for this are in full swing worldwide. Now the time has finally come. We are already looking forward to the many highlights of the anniversary year. We are all delighted and proud of what we have achieved and look forward to a promising future full of opportunities.
Festo has been keeping the world moving for 100 years. What is the secret of success, what makes the company unique?
The people at Festo! Their desire to innovate and their joy in making the impossible possible – that has always impressed me. We are fascinated by movement: pneumatic, electric, digital or everything in the mix. And we "move" people around the world with new impetus through training. Festo has always been characterized by inventiveness, holistic thinking and action, and a strong customer focus. For us, all of this is also the key driver for Festo's future success story.
Innovation is in Festo's DNA. How does the company remain innovative?
Openness, curiosity, willingness to learn and enthusiasm – that is our source of innovation, to think beyond boundaries and to dare to try something new. It is above all this ability to adapt to changing conditions and anticipate new trends that has made our company so successful to this day. This is what our more than 20,000 employees worldwide stand for – in their diversity, with their expertise, their ideas and their commitment.
Do you dare to take a look into the next 100 years?
As a responsible and financially independent family business, Festo thinks in terms of generations. That is why we are already working on tomorrow's issues today. Automation will play an increasingly important role in both existing and new industries. We can't even imagine some fields at the moment – it remains exciting.
As an innovation leader, we want to continue to actively shape the trends of the future. In the next 100 years, we want to continue to set pioneering trends and inspire with outstanding solutions for a wide range of industries. Qualification is just as important as the technology.
Is that what its new claim stands for?
"Automation for a world in motion" is our claim. We want to be the first port of call for our customers' movement requirements across all technologies. We can offer integrated and networked pneumatic and electric drive technology – including software and AI solutions. All these technologies interlock seamlessly. We are certain: with automation and technical education, we can make our customers productive and successful while contributing to a sustainable future for us all – now and in 100 years' time.
The future is also an important topic for Festo in its anniversary year. Can you tell us the highlights?
Innovation will be a central theme – I can already reveal that much. At the Hannover Messe, we will be presenting a real highlight that demonstrates our fascination with movement in an impressive way – from history to the technological future. We can look forward to something really exciting!
In our anniversary year, we want to celebrate, but also say thank you to society and give something back. What is it all about?
Since the very beginning, the people at Festo have made the decisive difference. "Festo is the work of many hands" – this statement by our company founder Gottlieb Stoll still applies today. We want to use these hands to improve the quality of life of present and future generations. To this end, we are initiating a corporate citizenship program with a focus on social commitment in our anniversary year. Our employees are very much looking forward to taking part in "Helping Hands at Festo".
And finally: What are you personally looking forward to most in the anniversary year?
I am looking forward to the personal exchange and would like to thank all employees, customers, suppliers and business partners: "Together we have achieved a lot and can continue to achieve a lot in the future. You have all contributed to this impressive achievement.
Thank you for your commitment to us. Thank you for every step and every extra mile you have gone for and with us. Thank you for your daily commitment and passion, for your innovative strength and creativity, which have made Festo the outstanding family business and global player that we are today. Thank you for shaping the present of the industry with us. Thank you for shaping the future together!