In the August issue of the trade magazine *Der Österreichische Transporteur*, STUMMER COO Robert Streif shares insights into his journey within the family business and his vision for its future. He discusses the values that have shaped him, new trends in the workplace and technology, and how tradition and change come together at STUMMER.

Read the full article here.

A Look Behind the Scenes: Learning the Ropes from the Ground Up

Robert Streif represents the next generation at Stummer Kommunalfahrzeuge: He reveals how he plans to take on responsibility and help shape the future.
“There was never really a specific moment when I decided I would join the family business,” Robert Streif explains right at the start of our conversation. Rather, he says, it developed step by step. What began in 2017 during his studies in Salzburg with a summer internship has turned into a career that has now led him to the operational helm of Stummer. As COO, he has also become the face of a new generation starting this year.

“I want to stay here”

The fact that he holds a position of responsibility today is not simply because he happens to be the son of the long-time CEO. Rather, he has earned it from the ground up: From assembly and the warehouse, through order management and production planning, all the way to operations management, he has held many different positions within the company. “I was allowed to implement my own ideas and, at the same time, had the freedom to make mistakes,” says Streif. “My father’s trust in me had a profound impact on me and, at the same time, increased my enthusiasm for our company.”
Equally important to him was the support of the staff. “I was welcomed with open arms right from the start. Everyone was willing to show me their work area and bring me along. That made it clear to me right away: I want to stay here!”

The Right Balance …

Despite his new responsibilities, one thing remains unchanged for him: the values his father Johann instilled in him. The key phrase that has stuck with him is that nothing is as constant as change. “For me, that means never resting on my laurels, but constantly seeking improvements—while still being grateful for what I’ve achieved.”
He particularly admires his father’s—and mentor’s—ability to combine professionalism with humanity.“Finding the right balance between making clear decisions and showing appreciation for employees and customers is something I want to continue doing.”

New Impulses

For Robert Streif, innovation doesn’t stop at new products: “In times of a skilled labor shortage, you have to question old structures and break new ground.” That’s why Stummer is increasingly focusing on flexible work schedules, flat hierarchies, and young leaders who are mentored by experienced colleagues. At the same time, he’s already thinking ahead: “A company daycare center or our own cafeteria with fresh, home-cooked meals are projects I’d love to bring to life.”
Streif also sees the industry facing a profound technological transformation. “Today, it’s no longer just about collecting trash. What happens before, during, and after is what matters most.” Digitalization and artificial intelligence will transform the waste management industry in a lasting way.

Safety Plus

One example of this is the new Z-Cam, which was one of his personal highlights at this year’s IFAT. “The camera can distinguish between people, containers, and obstacles and automatically stops the dumping process if someone is in the danger zone. This is a major step forward for the safety of our loaders.” In the future, this technology will also be used to identify improperly disposed-of batteries.The AI-powered recycling scanner is equally forward-looking: “We want to identify improper waste disposal immediately and notify municipalities and residents. This will allow us to improve the quality of waste sorting and reduce contaminants,” explains Streif.
With the new ZCS II body control system, vehicle data will also be analyzed in real time in the future. “Our goal is to be able to inform customers even before a breakdown occurs. Predictive maintenance will play an increasingly important role in the future.”

Washing Combo

Robert Streif sees growing demand for his collection vehicles with a container-washing function: “Here, we combine container emptying and cleaning in a single vehicle without any significant loss of performance.” Since the washing function is unnecessary in winter, the truck can be used as a standard collection vehicle. The system really shines, especially when collecting organic waste. “Cleaning takes only about five seconds longer than a normal emptying cycle,” says Streif.

Looking Ahead

The Bischofshofen site also demonstrates that innovation and tradition are not mutually exclusive. With the new assembly hall, Stummer is creating additional capacity and more efficient processes. For Robert Streif, however, this is more than just an investment in a building: “We’re laying the groundwork to continue growing without losing sight of our quality.”