Mr. David Nevin, President - Industrial SEA and Aerospace, Asia Pacific

Mr. David Nevin has joined team at Schaffler since 1999 until now. In 199 he started his career as Sales Development of Schaeffler (FAG&INA brands) in New Zealand. And now, after 22 years in the Schaeffler team, he is taking up the duties of President - Industrial SEA and Aerospace AP. He experienced in all kind of operations and high performing teams as Quality, Service, Sales and Business development.

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1. Tell us how the pandemic has changed the operation and marketing strategies for Schaeffler?

The pandemic has made Schaeffler turn to digital solutions.

In terms of marketing, we have moved online and now approach things from a digital perspective. Our events are now conducted either virtually or  in a hybrid format, while our campaigns are now more focused on digital marketing.

Operations-wise, sales visits were done mainly over the phone and via online seminars in the Southeast Asian region, and internal meetings and workshops were mainly done in a virtual or hybrid format as well. In order to ease this transition, Schaeffler’s employees have also been given access to the latest IT solutions, including digital collaboration and communication technologies for agile and efficient cooperation combined in a sustainable, digital workplace.

Aside from new marketing and operations strategies, we now offer our customers intuitive, eCommerce channels and innovative software as a basis for using our digital services. Upgraded online product catalogues, including product consulting tools and calculators, were also released Q4 2020.

We have also seen increased interest in connected condition monitoring solutions such as OPTIME, which was recently also launched Q4 2020 in Asia Pacific.

2. How have Schaeffler been able to overcome these challenges so far?

We believe in taking all these challenges in our stride!

With the pandemic causing more people to move online and adapt to digital solutions, this was a good opportunity for Schaeffler to fast track to digital transformation. Based on these new digital concepts, we can thus ensure the added value of our existing business models and create a basis for accessing new markets.

Our company-wide digital agenda also serves as a strategy and structural guideline for all activities in the digitalisation area, to ensure a synchronised processor all digitalisation activities.

3. How does Schaeffler’s Industrial IoT Product help manufacturers to avoid unplanned downtime and save unnecessary costs in their operations?

OPTIME is Schaeffler’s application solution for automated, sensor-controlled condition monitoring of industrial plants and equipment. Our condition monitoring products are also equipped with sensors and intelligent electronics and can supply information seamlessly into our customers’ overall applications.

These condition monitoring products (e.g. SmartCheck, OPTIME and Prolink) allow a predictive strategy to be applied to maintenance by continuously analysing machine condition. Furthermore, we utilise cloud-based analytics to allow holistic monitoring of entire plant machinery. Machine problems can now be identified at an early stage and addressed conveniently, providing our customers with the best possible support in optimising their own processes, products, and services.

Schaeffler is also continually extending our range of scalable digital services.

4. What are the major challenges that you’ve experienced with implementing IoT in your industry?

Basic internet connectivity is still a challenge in some cases, including allowing external communication to the devices (ie overcoming firewall issues etc).

5. How do you see Industry 4.0 revolutionising the manufacturing industry in the APAC region?

As technology is becoming more affordable and intelligent, we will see higher levels of adoption in the manufacturing industry.  As a result of this, I believe that the following technologies will become commonplace:

- Remote condition monitoring to enable predictive maintenance

- Leveraging cloud-based analytics

- Machine learning - SmartCheck/ OPTIME –self-healing/ learning mode

- AI – Autonomous production

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6. How would you recommend accelerating smart manufacturing transformation and modernising the manufacturing industry?

Taking Schaeffler’s own production facilities as an example, the digital connection of our production facilities along the entire value-added chain is one of the most important goals of Industry 4.0. Driven by our vision of a digital, autonomous, and sustainable factory, we are pushing ahead with systematic digitalisation and are using our digital services in our own volume production processes at an early stage.

The goal of being able to respond more quickly and flexibly to current developments in a rapidly changing world is a key motivation for Schaeffler to digitise the processes in all of its business divisions. From the first idea to the new product, and from digital production planning through to sales management, Schaeffler ensures that the entire product lifecycle will be digitally mapped in the future.

7. Sustainability is central to Schaeffler’s supply chain and procurement operations, how do you assess the current state of Schaeffler's sustainability efforts?

We hold a holistic approach to Sustainability around  topics such as:

o   Environment and energy – CO2 neutral production and resource efficiency

o   Suppliers and materials – Sustainable resources and responsible supply chain

o   Customers and products – Sustainable solutions and circular economy

o   Employees and society – Health and safety, as well as diversity and development

We also continuously improve sustainability performance at all production sites in the areas of climate protection, environment and resource efficiency, occupational health and safety, sustainable supply chain, off-campus mobility, and certifications and LCA.

Furthermore, Schaeffler offers sustainable components and systems in all three of its company divisions:

o   Industrial –bearings for renewable energy production

o   Automotive Technology – mobility solutions, eg., CO2 efficient drives/ Hydrogen technology

o   Automotive Aftermarket – Resource-efficient repair solutions and services, eg., REPXPERT

8. What do you think will be the next big thing in the aviation industry and what customers can expect from Schaeffler?

The optimisation of the aircraft engine design to reduce CO2 output will definitely be the next big thing in the aviation industry given the increasing traction for neutral carbon footprint. Customers can expect that Schaeffler will continue to work on the electrification of aircraft propulsion – both manned and unmanned.

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For more information please visit https://www.schaeffler.com

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