Miller Magazine Issue 110 / February 2019

41 NEWS MILLER / FEBRUARY 2019 strengthen its leading position in the consumer foods market with the creation of a new strategic pillar beginning in 2019. With the new Consumer Foods business, the Bühler Group will increase its focus on this important global growth market. From the very beginning, this step generated positive momen- tum among employees and customers. “This encouraged us to accelerate the full integration and new setup of our food businesses,” says Bühler CEO Scheiber. Consumer Foods stan- ds from January 2019 alongside Grains & Food and Advanced Materials. Under the leadership of Germar Wacker, Haas ac- hieved CHF 382 million in order intake and CHF 373 million in turnover. This represents the best result in the history of Haas, driven mainly by the Wafer and Biscuit business units. STRENGTHENING GLOBAL SETUP Investments in the asset base rose to CHF 118 million (+18%), driven by spending on the new CUBIC innovation campus and application centers, the ongoing modernization of the Swiss locations, and the ramp-up of sites in China. In addition to the acquisition of Haas and US-based Sputte- ring Components Inc., the funds were used for the deve- lopment of new digital technologies and process solutions, as well as for strengthening Bühler’s innovative capabilities. The new factory and R&D facility for the feed industry in Changzhou, China was opened in 2018 and is in full operation. Bühler also expanded its global production network with the opening of a new battery applicati- on lab in Wuxi, China; the move of Bühler’s Die Casting revision business to a new site in Brescia, Italy, and the modernization and expansion of the Uzwil site. The CUBIC innovation campus in Uzwil is nearing completion. The official inauguration of the fully operational campus is scheduled for spring. The CUBIC combines research and development with seven renewed application centers, which will be available to customers for conducting tests and trial series together with Bühler. The considerable investment of about CHF 50 million over a period of three years underscores Bühler’s commit- ment to innovation, technology, and the workplace Switzerland. HARNESSING THE POWER OF DIGITAL Spending on research and development amounted to CHF 145 million (4.4% of tur- nover). The Group introduced more than 20 digital products, achieved sizable initial turno- ver, and entered a partnership with Microsoft in April 2018. Currently, customers can choose from a digital portfolio of over 30 digital servi- ces. A further 30 will be launched during 2019. In Septem- ber, another milestone was reached with the launch of the Bühler Insights digital platform. These initiatives create new potential for improving safety, quality, efficiency, and tra- ceability across production value chains. Today, more than 85% of Bühler’s solutions can be connected to the platform. It offers numerous interfaces with standard industry auto- mation and control systems, thus enabling the connection of a wide range of technologies. OUTLOOK Bühler faces the future with confidence. The Group is aware of the accelerated changes in our digital age and is keeping a watchful eye on the current global develop- ments that bring about a degree of uncertainty – inclu- ding the geopolitical situation, currencies, interest rates, or trends counteracting free trade. New business opportuni- ties arise time and again, for example in emerging African markets, in South America, or in connection with China’s new Silk Road. The combined Consumer Foods business is also expected to address new market potential. Bühler is convinced that its opportunities outweigh the risks. Change in Bühler top management Andreas Herzog (61), who has held the CFO position for 17 years, will retire for age re- asons effective September 1, 2019. His successor is Mark Macus (47), who was emplo- yed at Bühler before for five years and who current- ly serves as CFO of the Vitra Group. Andreas Herzog has made a substantial contributi- on to professionalizing and globalizing the fi- nancial organization of Bühler. “Withdrawing from the CFO position of Büh- ler after 17 years is an emoti- onal moment for me. Bühler is a unique organization, in which the family spirit is still alive. But the company must renew it- self permanently, and this also impacts my own function,” says Andreas Herzog. Mark Macus will take charge of the CFO function of Bühler effec- tive September 1, 2019. Aged 47, married and a father of th- ree, Mark Macus holds a PhD degree (Dr. oec HSG) from the University of St. Gallen and is a certified auditor. Following his educa- tion at the University of St. Gallen and the Wharton School, he worked for six years at KPMG, was emp- loyed for three years in corporate control- ling of the Holcim Group, and headed the corporate control- ling unit of Bühler for five ye- ars. He has been the CFO of the Vitra Group in Birsfelden, Switzerland, since April 2018. “Mark Macus is the ideal suc- cessor for us,” says Bühler CEO Stefan Scheiber. Mark Macus