The moderators will present the results of the World Café Round Tables and all the most important questions, challenges and solutions arising from the event will be discussed.
Director, Asset Performance Management, Valmet Corporation
tephan Wenzel is currently working as Director, Asset Performance Management at Valmet, a company specializing in services and technologies for the process industry.
He is responsible for the business areas of Condition Monitoring Service and Control Loop Performance Monitoring, as well as the development of new digital service offerings in the field of Asset Management.
He studied Paper Technology at the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University and earned a Master of Business Administration in 2013.
Working in an international team is incredibly enriching. It offers me the opportunity to experience different perspectives and learn from the diverse experiences and knowledge of my colleagues and our clients.
The constantly changing challenges keep me on my toes and ensure that every day is different. This is very motivating because it gives me the chance to continuously develop and hone my skills.
Overall, I have a position that not only demands my abilities and knowledge but also gives me the opportunity to be creative and work with a team of people from all over the world.
Head of Digitalization and Data Analysis, Supply Center Berlin, BAYER AG
Product Specialist, Valmet Automation Oy
Information and Knowledge Management graduate working currently as a Product Specialist in IoT context.
Head of Architecture & Trends (Engineering & Manufacturing), Siemens AG
In 2009, I graduated my diploma in Economy and Informatics at the FAU Erlangen. My professional journey started with Siemens in 2010, in the role of Global Rollout and Project Manager for PLM Software, highlighting in project management skills and international experience abroad in Pittsburgh (USA). In 2015 I became the Head of Digital Manufacturing for Siemens DI Factories, where I played a pivotal role in shaping and implementing digital manufacturing processes. Since 2020, I’m serving as the Head of Architecture & Trends for Engineering, Manufacturing, and Data & AI for Siemens DI, where I’m responsible for strategies, digital transformation, and innovation.
Pop in the Job:
Digitalization and industrial IoT are transforming the core industries and are therefore crucial for economic success and shaping a sustainable future.
Senior IT Key Expert, Siemens AG
Since studying mechanical engineering, I have always enjoyed manufacturing environments. I started to work at Siemens as a Trainee and spent the first year already working on manufacturing related IT services, such as the introduction of a manufacturing execution system. After finishing the Trainee program I started with the IoT journey, focusing on integrating Industrial Edge into Siemens shopfloor environments for productive use. This includes the first implementation of edge devices in a factory as well as the service operations needed to run a ML model in a factory. Soon I began to work in architectures regarding Industrial Edge at first and broadening my view to the overall set up of closed loop manufacturing use cases. Moreover, the optimization of operations requires constant innovation of the existing implementation, as different solutions enter the market. In 2024 I was named Senior Key Expert for Digital Transformation, especially in the fields of Industrial IoT and Edge Computing.
Pop in Job:
I like the production processes. To be able to go to the roots and see the products that a company is producing. To see the manufacturing process, to hear the noise of the machines and smell the odors of production firsthand. The optimization of the production process can be very complex and challenging, but it fulfills me to see the result in the end. Moreover, I like the constant change within the IoT area. It is great to see the evolution of technology and to be a frontrunner in using new technologies and products to enhance the user experience.
VP Product Marketing, Softing Industrial Automation GmbH
Studied Mathematics, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in Germany, France, and in the United States. PhD in Mathematics from Bonn University. Various Product Management- and Business Development positions in Enterprise IT-, automotive- and automation industries. Senior representative at OPC Foundation. Currently works as VP Product Marketing for Softing Industrial Automation. Responsible for the complete portfolio of Softing Industrial products and their applications in factory- and process automation. Special interest in IoT and IT driven innovation.
Valmet is a global leader in the development and supply of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. They also serve an even broader base of process industries with their automation systems and flow control solutions.
Valmet has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record of continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, an important milestone was reached when the flow control company Neles merged with Valmet. Net sales of the merged company amounted to around 5.1 billion euros in 2022, based on the respective company figures.
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of healthcare and nutrition. We design our products and services to serve the most essential human needs of health and nutrition. At the same time, we strive to address some of the world’s biggest challenges presented by a growing and aging global population.
At Bayer, we’re committed to driving sustainable development and generate a positive impact with our businesses.
Through the power of science, we’re pioneering new possibilities that advance life for all of us. That means reimagining how we care for ourselves and one another by empowering everyday health, improving approaches to patient care, and finding better ways to nourish our communities around the world.
Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and with our automation and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals in more than 40 countries around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.
Valmet is organized around five business lines and five geographical areas. The business lines are Services, Flow Control, Automation Systems, Pulp and Energy and Paper. The areas are North America, South America, EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa), Asia Pacific, and China.
The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2023 were approximately EUR 5.5 billion.
Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.
Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide.
Softing Industrial Automation GmbH
For over 40 years, we have been experts in the integration and optimization of digital data communication in industrial environments. Our products ensure a reliable data flow from the production level to IT as well as in edge and cloud applications. In this way, we support our customers in increasing the efficiency, reliability and security of their industrial processes.
Your needs are our focus:
When developing our products and solutions, we always keep the specific needs of our customers in mind. From diagnostic and network management tools to industrial gateways, as well as edge and cloud applications - our products offer flexible application options and can be scaled according to requirements. At the same time, we pay particular attention to ease of use and security.
At the forefront of technological progress:
Softing Industrial is actively involved in technical working groups such as PROFIBUS & PROFINET International, FieldComm Group or OPC Foundation. Our experts have contributed significantly to the development of industrial standards and helped shape current technology trends. This knowledge enables us to offer our customers innovative and future-proof products.