bbi: What are the consequences of the current crisis on DIOSNA Dierks & Söhne GmbH in the short and medium term?
Oevermann: Since there are new announcements and measures almost every hour to keep the infection curve as flat as possible, meaningful forecasts are currently almost impossible. Like every manufacturing company in Germany, we also see the uncertainty of our customers and our employees. Fortunately, we can rely on Diosna’s “Made in Germany” for 135 years. This enables us to continue our day-to-day production operations almost without
restriction. With our high-quality mixing machines and systems, for bakery products, we serve a market for one of the most important staple foods. In this crisis, we are seeing a significant increase in industrially manufactured and packaged products. Our task is to make sure that we do everything we can to meet this need. Whether we can do this in the short and medium term depends on many factors.

bbi: Which measures are DIOSNA taking internally and in relation with customers?
Oevermann: Our goal is of course to do everything to protect our employees and customers. Our production facilities are so spacious that the work areas are separated from one another. Great importance has always been attached to the topic of hygiene, however, all employees were also informed and quiet a lot are able to work from home, if the situation demands it. Internally and with our customers and partners we meet online, if possible. So far, everyone has responded to the changed behavioural measures with understanding, especially since we can be reached by phone, by customers, both at home and abroad.

bbi: What about the ability to deliver, is production at risk?                                                    Oevermann: Our customers can rely on us one hundred percent, because our in-house workshops are well organized. Orders that have already been confirmed will of course be processed and delivered. If there are any delays due to illness or from our sub-suppliers, we will inform our customers in good time. Reliable processes have been developed to keep the information up to date. Provided that the production chains work, we can continue to deliver on time. Restrictions naturally result from restricted freedom of travel. This primarily affects our experts, who work closely with the customers, these are our salesmen, technical fitters, technologists, programmers and commissioning engineers. The DIOSNA Group has a large network consisting of its own competent sales and service employees, as well as reliable partners. Depending on availability, the relevant specialist personnel or partners on site will act quickly. We can therefore cover a very large market and continue to offer a well-structured customer service.

bbi: What measures are you taking to compensate for the trade fair cancellations? Are there any options for interested customers to get an idea of the company’s performance?
Oevermann: As the market leader, we always strive to offer our customers something special. We are currently testing how we can use social media and tools such as 3D scans to interact with our customers. Since it is not possible for every customer to get detailed information from us in Osnabrück, we use digitalization as an opportunity to develop new ways to keep our customers up to date. You can be amazed to see what new ideas we come up with.

bbi: What do you generally advise your customers in this uncertain situation?
Oevermann: The eagerness of the Germans to organize and regulate was laughed at in many other countries, but situations like this one desperately require these skills. My advice is therefore to keep calm, regionally, e.g. shop at the local bakery and grocer and actively contribute to slow down the increasing of the number of infections as much as possible in order to keep the respective health system functioning.

bbi: Thank you for the Interview