Recently, key innovations have included our Tractor-Fit LED solutions and our LED product Connix, as well as our Gardloc system with patented A-Lock technology, which significantly simplifies the assembly and maintenance of PTO guards and is now also used by several original equipment manufacturers. In addition to their durability, our tractor replacement parts focus on the easiest possible use, fulfilling all relevant OEM specifications so that they can be seamlessly integrated into both new and older machines.

Wirtschaftsforum: Is the product portfolio intended to grow further in the future? And how will the increasingly complex logistics be managed?

Thomas Schlieben: In the coming years, we particularly want to expand our range of technical tractor replacement parts with OEM standards, to fully cover all brands and models relevant to our customers. To meet this ambition from a logistical perspective, Sparex already invested in a central warehouse in Ennery, France in 2019, from which we supply customers throughout Europe with all components at short delivery times – sometimes we can deliver the desired product on the same day.

Wirtschaftsforum: You are currently working on numerous innovations beyond your wide range of products.

Thomas Schlieben: We are currently updating, among other things, our solutions for sales booths so that retailers can optimally use their exhibition spaces and present each item to end users as accessibly as possible. Additionally, with our Agripack range in clamshell design, we have been able to initiate a significant innovation in our blister packaging – these are now made from UV-stabilized rPET that does not yellow, is durable, and can be 100% recycled at the end of its life.

Wirtschaftsforum: What changes are currently occupying you regarding your distribution channels?

Thomas Schlieben: We are continuously developing our website and our e-commerce presence and have also been able to launch numerous innovations in this context that make life easier for both retailers and end users – starting with our search function, which now also uses AI to ensure that customers are shown the right product right away. With our brand and model search tool, customers can also filter by individual machine brands and models to reach their goal faster. However, AI will not replace humans in this context – if there are questions, our customers can still use our live web chat, where they are advised personally and immediately.

Wirtschaftsforum: Do you primarily address your direct retail customers or the end users in agriculture with this?

Thomas Schlieben: To support our dealers, we plan to introduce a new feature on our website in the near future that will allow farmers to purchase Sparex products directly through our dealer network. This will enable us to offer an even more seamless user experience to end users, as well as strengthen our established partners in retail. Naturally, the data we gain from this also plays an important role, which our Business Intelligence teams continuously evaluate with impressive analysis tools to obtain targeted insights on how we can better support our customers.

Wirtschaftsforum: So customer benefit is firmly at the center of your attention?

Thomas Schlieben: There is a reason we named our strategy “Farmer First”: We are driven by what trade and farmers need. Additionally, we emphasize the values of "Speak Up" and "Team Up": All our employees should be continuously empowered to eliminate problems and challenges that stand in the way of customer benefit, achieving this in strong teams. I would like to explicitly thank them for their tireless efforts at this point.