What makes a product innovative?

I understand innovation as follows: An innovative product is one that helps to solve a specific problem – regardless of its size. Whether small or large, at its core it is always about solving a problem. A good innovation makes it possible to work faster, easier, safer and more efficiently. I look at products from the perspective of the dynamically growing Central European warehouse market. It is relatively easy to make large investments in new products. But these investments often fall short of expectations. In my work – both as editor-in-chief and as a juror – I therefore always try to answer a fundamental question first: What is the benefit or disadvantage to the end user?

What is most important to you about the IFOY Award?

What is, was and will remain most important are the people. Of course, the IFOY Award is a platform for presenting and testing outstanding technological achievements. But behind it all are people: on the side of the providers, the judges and the entire great team of the IFOY Innovation Check. They are real enthusiasts who focus on solving problems and finding new, better ways for intralogistics. For me, this is the most apt description of what the IFOY Award has become over the years – an event where technology plays a central role without losing its human dimension.