Transforming Industrial Automation: CCO Markus Schmermund Shares His Vision
January 2025
idealworks is proud to spotlight Markus Schmermund, who joined as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) on September 1, 2024. With over two decades of experience in automation and intralogistics, Markus has already made significant strides in shaping the company’s commercial strategy. In this interview, he reflects on his first months at idealworks, shares insights into the future of industrial automation, and outlines his vision for 2025 and beyond.
Welcome to the team, Markus! What drew you to this role at idealworks?
Thank you! I’m thrilled to be part of idealworks. What truly drew me to this role was the company’s leadership in industrial automation. With its holistic robotics ecosystem approach, idealworks is driving groundbreaking innovation in automotive, manufacturing, and warehousing. I was inspired by the company’s clear vision and tangible impact on the industry. Joining such a passionate, forward-thinking team was the perfect opportunity to contribute to meaningful change and help shape the company’s future.
You bring an impressive background in automation and intralogistics. How is your experience shaping your role as CCO?
My years in the industry have given me a deep understanding of its challenges and opportunities. This experience helps me identify key drivers of success, from cutting-edge technology to customer-focused strategies. At idealworks, I’m leveraging this knowledge to enhance our value proposition, strengthen client relationships, and expand our global presence.
One of my primary objectives is aligning our messaging with the unique needs of our customers while showcasing the transformative potential of our solutions – especially AnyFleet.
What have your priorities been since joining idealworks?
Since joining, my main focus has been aligning our commercial strategy with idealworks’ broader objectives. I’ve prioritized expanding our market presence and driving sustainable revenue growth. Strengthening our partnerships and positioning idealworks as a global leader in industrial automation have been central to my efforts.
Building strong industry relationships is essential in this field. By leveraging my network and experience, I’ve worked to elevate idealworks’ global brand, establish strategic collaborations, and reinforce our reputation for innovation. These efforts have already unlocked exciting new opportunities and partnerships.
What excites you most about industrial automation?
The pace of innovation and its potential for transformation are extraordinary. At idealworks, we’re at the forefront of this evolution, integrating advanced automation technologies to revolutionize intralogistics. It is exciting to see how AI, robotics, and smart systems are reshaping industries, unlocking new levels of efficiency and flexibility. Being part of a company that is not only navigating but shaping this change is immensely rewarding.
What’s your vision for idealworks as we move further into 2025 and beyond?
My vision is to position idealworks as a global leader and trusted partner in industrial automation, setting benchmarks for customer-centricity, innovation, and reliability. By continuing to push boundaries in automation technology and fostering strong relationships with our clients and partners, I am confident we will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of automotive, manufacturing, and warehousing.
In this context, a key area of focus is the further development of our intelligent automation platform, AnyFleet, and the seamless integration of mobile and stationary robotics. This interconnected approach will allow us to provide even more flexible, efficient, and scalable solutions for our clients, driving the next generation of automation solutions.
Are there any major events on the horizon that are worth noting?
Absolutely. On February 19th and 20th, I’ll be in Dubai attending the IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2025, alongside our longstanding partner inmind.ai. It is an exciting opportunity to explore the latest trends in digital transformation and showcase our innovative solutions on a global stage.
In mid-March, idealworks will be exhibiting at LogiMAT 2025 in Stuttgart for the fourth consecutive year. As one of Europe’s largest intralogistics trade fairs, LogiMAT is where innovation and collaboration meet – perfect for showcasing our cutting-edge robotics ecosystem.
idealworks sponsored the ‘TOP 100 in European Transport and Logistics Services 2024/2025′ publication. What motivated this decision, and how does it align with your vision for the company?
At idealworks, we see automation and digitalization as fundamental forces shaping the future of logistics. The Top 100 study is a key resource for understanding market trends, challenges, and innovations across Europe. By supporting this publication, we aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the transformation of intralogistics, highlighting the role of robotics, IoT integration, and AI-driven solutions in driving efficiency and adaptability.
Our automation platform, AnyFleet, plays a crucial role in this shift. Sponsoring this study aligns with our commitment to fostering knowledge exchange and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in industrial automation.
Markus’ leadership and vision embody idealworks’ commitment to driving innovation and creating meaningful solutions for the challenges of tomorrow. Follow idealworks as we push boundaries, tackle challenges, and reimagine the future of industrial automation. Stay tuned for updates, events, and innovations that are shaping tomorrow.