“Women bring a different perspective to the industry in terms of organization and communication: in business, we like to work as a team and help each other move forward.”
With a career marked by excellence and a deep connection with the industrial sector, Stephanie Vorkauf has established herself as one of the most influential voices in the field of solids, technology and engineering applied to production processes.
Hardworking, versatile, and dynamic, the CEO of VORKAUF and vice-president of the Exposolidos committee masterfully combines a strategic vision with a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration among companies and professionals. In fact, those who know her are aware of her excellent organizational skills and her expertise in optimizing and managing teams and resources. She also shares these skills in leadership and team motivation training courses.
In this interview, he shares his perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the sector, the role of Exposolidos as an international benchmark platform, and the importance of promoting more diverse and committed leadership for the industrial future .
VORKAUF has been a leading supplier of pumps, valves, and components for solids handling for over six decades. What is their secret to maintaining the quality of their solutions across various industries?
Since our inception, we have specialized in niche and high-end products. The key lies in our ability to deeply understand customer requirements and offer solutions tailored to their specific needs.
Based on your experience in the sector, what innovations in separation, screening, solids handling or auxiliary equipment do you consider most disruptive at present?
Among the most relevant trends are ease of handling and assembly, durability, energy savings, and integration with solutions aligned with Industry 5.0.
How do you perceive the change in priorities of industrial customers: energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, operating costs, traceability?
Unfortunately, in many cases the initial price still takes precedence, without considering factors such as energy savings, maintenance costs, or operational efficiency. Often, this supposed cost savings results in heavier workloads for operators, frequent component replacements, and a shorter equipment lifespan. And that’s without even mentioning the negative impact this approach has on the environment.
In a niche market like yours, how much weight does technical differentiation carry compared to operational excellence, after-sales service, or support?
It is very important from minute one: the client has to feel supported and see that they have a person who gives them support.
Looking to the medium/long term, what emerging technologies do you think will transform solids handling processes?
Tools that help manage and control components remotely and in real time. Facilitating maintenance and preventing downtime, as well as unnecessary expenses and/or purchases.
In addition to leading VORKAUF, you also play a key role at Exposolidos. How do you manage both responsibilities, and what experience do you bring to each?
Time is GOLD. It’s true!! You have to be clear about your priorities and be decisive. It’s not easy, and you have to know how to manage your time. Experience and new tools also help you get organized.
Her position as a leading woman in the engineering/machinery/industrial processing sector places her in a field with few role models. What was her journey like to get there? What barriers did she encounter and how did she overcome them, or how does she continue to overcome them, every day?
There are few of us women, it’s true, and I hope that changes in the coming years. Throughout my career, I’ve had some very good experiences, as well as some bad ones. This strengthens me and helps me in the future. And how did I overcome the difficult barriers? Some were tough, and unfortunately, I still don’t understand the cruelty one can encounter. But with patience, mental strength, optimism, and good support, I learned to manage these situations.
Do you believe there are still “invisible ceilings” or latent biases in the industry for women? If you had to point to one or two for immediate change, what would they be?
In some positions, women are seen as weaker, it’s true… Also, having children is a barrier. But I always remember that children belong to both parents, and both are responsible, as well as for all the other household chores.
But it should also be said that a man’s strength cannot be compared to a woman’s; women have more stamina.
From your perspective, how does an industrial company benefit from having female leadership? What does a female perspective contribute to strategic direction?
Women bring a different perspective to organization and communication: in the company we like to work as a team and help to move forward together.
For young women who dream of entering the technical industry or leading industrial companies, what specific advice would you give them to make that leap?
I would definitely tell them to go for it! Every job has its ups and downs. And I would tell them: listen, learn, and find the solution, and little by little everything will fall into place.
Let’s talk about Exposolidos. The event is undoubtedly a window for the industrial sector towards innovation, collaboration, and networking. What do you think is the differentiating value that this fair brings to the Spanish and European markets?
Expositos is a specialized trade fair in a “welcoming” size. Many of us know each other and there’s good communication.
What should be the role of Exposolidos in promoting cleaner, more efficient and sustainable technologies within the solids processing sector?
A trade fair is the perfect platform to present and promote solutions and innovations. Therefore, Exposolidos should continue to invite exhibitors to showcase their latest products and help them understand customer needs.
What new features would you highlight for the next edition of Exposolidos?
All the content surrounding AI – Artificial Intelligence -, how to apply it in this sector and how to work correctly with it.
If you had to define in one sentence what Expositos contributes to the industrial ecosystem, what would it be?
Expositos is another pillar for the industry.
Finally, if you could make one wish for the industrial community in these times, what would it be?
Long and successful life for this industry and may Spain be in the top 3.
