H&Z Connect
Service Roundtable
26.03.2026 | Munich
The H&Z Service Roundtable 2026 offered practical insights and clear strategies for building resilient, future-ready service organisations.
KEY TAKE-AWAYS
From Linear to Circular – A New Boost for the Service Business
In an open, confidential setting, we discussed how circular economy approaches and AI are reshaping service organisations with executives across industries – focusing on new value creation models, operational transformation and tangible business impact.
Our conversations revealed the following essential learnings:
- Circularity is becoming a core driver of new revenue streams in service, not just a sustainability initiative
- Refurbishment, reuse and return flows unlock significant lifetime value across products and assets
- Successful service transformation requires a shift from product-centric to solution-oriented business models
- AI is already delivering measurable impact in both operational efficiency and strategic decision-making
- Economic viability of circular models depends on clear steering logic, data transparency and scalable processes
a few impressions
SPEAKERS
Claudia Kratz
Commercial Managing Director — EUCO Rail Services
From linear to circular: How AI can advance maintenance and spare‑parts planning in the rail sector
Prof. Dr. Johann Gregori
Professor of Business Administration — Hochschule Offenburg
Circularity in Plant and Machinery Engineering: An Economic Control Model
Dr. Thomas Schlothane
Senior Manager Technology — TOMRA Systems GmbH
From Product to Solution: Rethinking Value Creation with Circularity and AI
Jochen Trommer
Director Sustainability Consulting — Encory GmbH
Circularity Meets the Business Case: How Circular Models Become Economically Viable
Manuel Moser
Sustainability Manager — PALFINGER AG
Refurbishment in Practice: Recovery, Take-Back & Service Potential
Dr. Torsten Schlüter
Chief Sales Officer — Doerrenberg Edelstahl GmbH
AI in the Steel Industry — Boost or Buzz?
Benjamin Reichenecker
Co-Founder & CEO — PartsCloud
From linear to circular: How AI can advance maintenance and spare‑parts planning in the rail sector
Jens Poggenburg
Executive Partner — AVL
HOSTS
WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU to our future events!
Dr. Roman Bauer
Partner
As a Partner at H&Z with over 30 years of experience in industry and consulting, Roman supports companies in strategically advancing their service business – from digital business models to efficient and sustainable solutions that strengthen performance and competitiveness.
Dr. Sebastian Gauster
Senior Consultant
Sebastian specialises in strategy, innovation, and organisational transformation. His work focuses on how organisations build innovation capabilities and adapt to complex change. Alongside his professional work, he is active in research and teaching on strategic management and organisational agility.
