In this episode of the Share PLM Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Andreas Wank, Head of Department “Smart Innovation” at Pepperl+Fuchs.

Andreas is a leader in digital transformation and industrial innovation, with a strong academic foundation in production management research from TU Darmstadt. In his current role, he leads the Smart Innovation department at Pepperl+Fuchs, where he works at the intersection of business processes, technology, and people to drive sustainable and scalable innovation.
With deep expertise in Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), data-driven value creation, and global process integration, Andreas focuses on building strong innovation chains that connect strategy with execution— turning complex ideas into real business impact.

In this value-packed conversation, we explored what it really takes to lead a successful PLM transformation in a complex industrial organization. From shifting mindsets from documents to data to managing people, resistance, and leadership change over a multi-year journey, Andreas offers a grounded and refreshingly human perspective on PLM — one that goes far beyond tools and technology. His insights resonate strongly with organizations striving to future-proof their innovation chains while keeping collaboration, clarity, and culture at the center of transformation.

Here are the key topics:

⚉ From Academia to Industry 4.0 Practice
⚉ Why Pepperl+Fuchs Started Its PLM Journey
⚉ PLM as a Management Approach, Not a Tool
⚉ Aligning the Entire Innovation Chain
⚉ Combining Top-Down Vision with Bottom-Up Expertise
⚉ Managing Resistance Through Communication
⚉ “Mood Barometer” as a Standout Practice
⚉ Navigating Leadership Changes During Transformation
⚉ Moving from Project-Centric to Product-Centric Thinking
⚉ Breaking Down Complexity Into Manageable Steps


CONNECT WITH DR. ANDREAS: 
⚉ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ing-andreas-wank-38404014a/ 

CONNECT WITH SHARE PLM:
Website: https://shareplm.com/ 


Join us every month to listen to fascinating interviews, where we cover a wide array of topics, from actionable tips, to personal experiences, to strategies that you can implement into your PLM strategy.

If you have an interesting story to share and want to join the conversation, contact us and let's chat. We can't wait to hear from you!