Meet Robin Henschel, the newcomer at Alma GmbH
Published on 09/04/2024
Alma GmbH welcomes a new arrival, Robin HENSCHEL, as Head of Sales. With 20 years’ experience in the sheet metal industry, Robin will be a valuable contact to guide you through your projects. Let’s meet him.
Robin, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
“Sure! I have a strong background in technical sales, with around 18 years of experience, primarily in the metal production industry. Over the past six years, I’ve been responsible for developing sales of a nesting software across the EMEIA region. This role gave me the opportunity to work closely with customers and partners from diverse regions, allowing me to gain valuable insights into different production methods and cultural approaches to business.
Professionally, I place a high value on open and honest communication, always prioritizing the needs of the customer. I’m dedicated to understanding not only what a customer does but why they do it. With this deeper understanding, my team and I consistently deliver tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of each client. This customer-centric approach has led to some significant successes over the years.
Outside of work, I’m a firm believer in maintaining a healthy balance. I enjoy long walks with my dog, spending time with my family, and staying active through sports, like golf, a sport I discovered recently, as I can no longer climb. These activities help me recharge and bring renewed energy into my work. I believe this balance is essential for long-term motivation and productivity, both personally and professionally.”
Why did you decide to join the Alma team?
“I’ll make a long story short, it’s a great company, solid, innovative and human.
Alma is one of the Top Leader of CAD-CAM software whose expertise has been recognized for decades. This attracted me and I’m happy to join this group.
Moreover, I’ve been impressed by their forward-thinking approach and continuous evolution in both technology and service offerings. They are attentive to new market expectations and can quickly come up with new offers.
What also attracted me is Alma’s strong commitment to its employees and customers. As a 100% employee-owned company, I’ve noticed that people aren’t just employees. They’re also owners, personally involved in every project. This makes customer satifaction the cornerstone of Alma’s business.
When I first met the German team, I was struck by their passion and commitment, and I’m excited to contribute to taking the business to the next level.”
From your experience, what are the current trends and challenges of metal working companies in Germany and in the neighboring countries ?
“From what I’ve seen in the field, I note that one of the key trends in metalworking companies is the increasing focus on automation and digitalization. With Industry 4.0 initiatives, companies have understood the benefits of smart manufacturing technologies, such as automated cutting systems, robotics, and effective softwares.
Another significant trend is sustainability. Many companies are working to reduce waste, lower energy consumption, and optimize resource use, driven by both regulatory requirements and customer expectations.
However, these changes also come with challenges. The transition to digital systems can be unsettling, especially for companies with older equipment or limited IT infrastructure. Additionally, there’s a growing skills gap—finding and retaining skilled workers who can operate advanced machinery or work with sophisticated software solutions is becoming a major issue.
So companies want support to help them make the shift smoothly. To implement a solution that will really help them and that suits their needs, they understand that they need expert advice and training. They’re ready to invest in that. And they’re right to do so, as the investment is all the more sustainable.”
How Alma’s offer can particularly help these companies meet these challenges?
“Alma’s offerings are perfectly positioned to help metalworking companies address the key challenges they face today.
The advanced nesting software and automation solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing production environments. For example, we have a dedicated team of experts focused on continuously optimizing nesting system to maximize material utilization for every metal sheet cut.
We are also heavily focused on automating the entire workflow—from importing parts and preparing them for production, to generating nests and creating output files for the production machines. This high level of automation ensures that our customers can consistently maintain top-quality production and optimal material utilization. Additionally, by automating many of these processes, we help alleviate the challenge of finding skilled labor.
In short, Alma’s cutting-edge, comprehensive solutions enable companies to boost efficiency, reduce operational costs, and stay competitive in an increasingly digital and sustainable market.”