Interview with ENERCON GmbH

Welcome aboard! We are pleased to present you our first partner in the new year 2022: The ENERCON GmbH from Aurich. As a pioneer in wind energy technology and a partner of the energy revolution, the company has specialized in the development and production as well as sales and service of onshore wind turbines. Worldwide, around 14,000 people are employed by ENERCON at different locations for administration, sales, production and service. With its mission "energy for the world", the company is promoting sustainable energy production with onshore-wind since 1984. Thanks to innovative system technology, high quality standards and an installed overall power of 56.74 gigawatt (31,325 wind turbines in total, data from december 2022) the company belongs to the worldwide leading producers.

To get to now the company we were pulling out our questionnaire among Operational Excellence again. At this point, we'd like to thank Janique Riebau, Head of Continuous Improvement, for the time taken to answer our questions. But that should be enough introducing words. Enjoy the following interview!

Which approaches and measures concerning Operational Excellence are already implemented at your company?

Janique Riebau: We are already adapting the approach Lean Management in production as well as Lean Six Sigma company-wide.

Are there further actions planned to be undertaken in the future in this field?

Janique Riebau: Yes, a holistic Excellence Strategy.

Does your company offer advanced trainings to the topic Operational Excellence for your employees?

Janique Riebau: Yes, we have an internal education system for the field Lean Six Sigma.

What are your expectations on this initiative?

Janique Riebau: We are hoping for a cross-industry exchange to "best-practice".

To which themes do you wish to exchange thoughts and know-how? Are there specific aspects which are extraordinarily interesting for you? (for example, for networking-meetings or best-practice trips)

Janique Riebau: To operational implementation, also with focus on administrative processes being critical to business. Concerning best-practice trips or networking events we are especially interessted in practical examples of implementations.

Are you interested in workshops during our networking-meetings?

Janique Riebau: Yes. 

Which challenges to you see your company being confronted with in the future?

Janique Riebau: Industry 4,0 within complex company structures by having small quantities is going to be challenging.

Do you see a fundamental change within your sector in the next 5 years?

Janique Riebau: Yes, onshore wind turbines will have the lowest energy production costs in the future. Operational Excellence will make the differnce in the competition. 

Thinking about the north-western region, what do you think is mostly needed by the region to challenge the ongoing as well as future changes? 

Janique Riebau: More clarification to Operational Excellence to induce more aceptance and understanding.

In this context, how do you value the potential of initiatives like ours?

Janique Riebau: Very high, if they are adressing a broad spectrum of companies and employees by offering highly accessible training and information.

We are happy to welcome ENERCON aboard and are looking forward to the impulses and contributions going to be brought in by the company in the future.

If you have any questions or points of reference, feel free to contact our interview partner under janique.riebau@enercon.de.