Christian, you have worked at Noerpel for four years. What have you taken away from that experience as you step into your new board role?

During my time at Noerpel, I have held various positions and gradually taken on more responsibility. These roles have included Head of IT Transport & Logistics, Director of IT Applications, and most recently, Director of IT. Throughout this time, I have helped to shape and advance numerous organisational and technological initiatives. These include restructuring our teams to increase accountability, modernising our warehouse management system, rolling out a standardised transport management system across several locations and continuously strengthening our infrastructure and cyber resilience.

 

Beyond IT and technology, I am motivated by working with people, supporting their development, and helping them grow. My goal is to transform systems and develop employees in a targeted way, establishing IT as a strategic enabler of business success

 

What are the biggest challenges facing IT in the logistics sector today?

While many of these challenges are significant, they also create opportunities. For example, integrating and connecting heterogeneous systems across sites and partner networks remains complex and requires robust, scalable architectures. At the same time, we are continuing to digitise processes and create real-time transparency to inform operational decision-making. This depends on high-quality data and fast, centralised access to information, which is why we have developed our own Noerpel Data Warehouse. This also lays the groundwork for technological innovation, including automation and AI. When these technologies are embedded thoughtfully into existing processes, they can create genuine added value.

 

Cyber security and resilience are, of course, critical priorities for every business. Cyber attacks and disruptions can threaten an organisation’s very existence, which is why IT security remains a top priority at Noerpel.

 

On the topic of artificial intelligence, is it revolutionising the logistics industry?

AI is fundamentally changing logistics by streamlining processes to make them more efficient, faster and more reliable. It also bridges the gaps between systems that previously required manual intervention. At Noerpel, we use AI in a targeted way. Automated invoice and document workflows replace manual data entry, while autonomous industrial trucks take over routine transport tasks in the warehouse, saving time and reducing travel distances.

 

Looking ahead, we plan to integrate AI more closely into customer processes. This includes automated order handling, which eliminates media breaks and reduces processing times, as well as chatbots, intelligent assistance systems, and predictive analytics. These solutions accelerate communication, increase transparency, and improve delivery reliability.

 

Artificial intelligence has long become part of everyday life. While it currently often appears in the form of simple bots, it is increasingly being driven by intelligent agents capable of carrying out real tasks and freeing up time for higher-value activities. This is precisely why we cannot afford to miss this technological shift. The AI train is not waiting at the station — it is already moving. If companies want to remain competitive, they must get on board, actively seize opportunities and continuously invest in new skills. For Noerpel, this means supporting our employees, providing training, and establishing the conditions necessary for the effective, secure and responsible use of AI.

 

What is your personal (professional) motto?

'Change begins in the mind and succeeds through collaboration.' This principle guides me every day. I continually challenge established ways of working, collaborating with my team to develop improvements that help us to achieve our goals efficiently and sustainably. It is equally important to bring people along on that journey, encouraging them to contribute their own ideas and play an active role in shaping the future. This is how innovation emerges, how change delivers lasting impact and how we ensure that progress remains aligned with our values and responsibilities as a family-owned company.

 

A board position comes with significant responsibility. How do you unwind after a demanding day at work?

Sport is my main way of unwinding. It helps me clear my mind, gain perspective, and return to work with renewed focus. My favourite way to relax is to go for long runs through the forest, whatever the weather. Physical activity keeps me grounded and energised, allowing me to approach new challenges the next day with clarity of mind.

 

Congratulations to Christian on his new position, and we wish him continued success!