At the DIGITAL COMMERCE SUMMIT 2025 on May 7, we discussed what digital customer journeys in B2B need to look like today with almost 90 participants from industry and the automotive aftermarket in St. Wendel, Saarland. Between impulses on the use of generative AI, the importance of web stores and rising customer expectations, it became clear that the first impression has long been created digitally – sales is now just one touchpoint of many. Even complex products need intuitive, customer-centric online experiences. Representatives from VW, ZF, TecAlliance, FRI (Freie Reifeneinkaufs-Initiative), Gettygo, HIMA, the Gummi Berger Group and other industry leaders were among those in attendance.
N4 develops software for clients in the automotive aftermarket, machinery, and medical sectors. The company offers B2B e-commerce, Microsoft Dynamics, and custom software solutions to simplify and optimize business processes.
4PACE combines the experience of partners Plan Software and KiM to streamline B2B companies’ sales processes, making them more efficient and cost-effective. With CPQ, e-commerce, and CAD publishing solutions, the company enhances its clients’ competitiveness.
Arrive relaxed at the golf hotel and start the event day with a coffee!
We start the program with a short welcome.
DR. DARLENE WHITAKER
Chief Marketing Officer
4PACE, N4
LUCA NAGEL
Project Manager / Product Manager
4PACE, N4
PROF. DR. EUGEN STAAB
Solution Manager
N4
THE SPEAKER
Prof. Dr. Eugen Staab completed his studies at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and earned his doctorate in soft security at the University of Luxembourg. Today, he is Professor of Business Informatics and Information Management with a focus on digitalization at Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences and supports N4 as Solution Manager in various areas. .
THE PRESENTATION
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing B2B sales – but which solution really fits? In his presentation, Prof. Dr. Eugen Staab will show when the use of large language models makes sense, why classic AI, apart from ChatGPT, is still very popular and how you can find the optimal application for your business processes.
KEY LEARNINGS
Network with industry colleagues and recharge your batteries before the program continues!
KORBINIAN MAYER
Head of International Sales and Customer Centricity
HAWE Hydraulik
THE SPEAKER
Korbinian Mayer started in 2011 as Key Market Manager at HAWE Hydraulik, an international family business with over 70 years of experience in hydraulic components and systems. From 2017 to 2019, he was Market Intelligence Manager, then Customer Experience Manager. He has been Head of International Sales and Customer Centricity since 2022.
THE PRESENTATION
How can a uniform and consistent customer approach be achieved across digital sales channels? Korbinian Mayer, Head of International Sales and Customer Centricity at HAWE Hydraulik, uses the example of the e-commerce solution implemented together with 4PACE to show how intelligent system integration creates seamless workflows, automates ordering processes and thus noticeably relieves the burden on sales and customers.
KEY LEARNINGS
KOLJA PROHL
CEO/Managing Director
Gummi Berger Gruppe
THE SPEAKER
Kolja Prohl is an experienced manager with extensive expertise in the automotive and e-commerce sectors. After holding senior sales positions at Best4Tires and the management of the Hämmerling Group, among others, he has been CEO/Managing Director of the Gummi Berger Group since 2024. His academic career has taken him to renowned institutions such as the International School of Management, Harvard and Melbourne.
THE PRESENTATION
B2B customers today make independent, informed and digital decisions. Kolja Prohl, Managing Director of the Gummi Berger Group, uses four pointed theses to show why traditional sales approaches are coming to nothing, internal barriers are becoming a real danger – and why genuine customer centricity must go far beyond the purchase.
KEY LEARNINGS
Take a break! Enjoy your lunch break and start the afternoon relaxed.
MARC CHÉRIT
Global Account Manager – HIPS
HIMA
THE SPEAKER
After working as a process engineer in the metallurgical industry at Fives Stein, Marc Chérit joined HIMA, the world’s leading provider of smart automation solutions for functional safety at over 50 locations, in 2011. Marc Chérit worked there as a project manager until 2019 and then as HIPS Application Manager. Since 2023, he has assumed the role of Global Account Manager – HIPS.
THE PRESENTATION (in English)
How a CPQ solution makes the sales process more efficient across the board? Marc Chérit, Global Account Manager – HIPS, shows in his presentation how the introduction of CPQ has optimized the sales process at HIMA – from configuration and pricing to the preparation of quotations. Using the solution developed with 4PACE, he will share valuable experience and provide insights into the practical implementation.
KEY LEARNINGS
In the afternoon, there will be parallel discussion rounds on various focus topics – choose the round that piques your interest.
OPEN SPACE 1 I Circular economy in repair – Digitalization as the key to sustainable processes
SIXT-HUBERTUS VON KAPFF
Managing Director
Bavaria Automotive
PATRICK LANG
Head of Automotive Products
N4
OLIVER HALLSTEIN
Managing Director
ClaimParts
THE SPEAKERS
Sixt-Hubertus von Kapff is the Managing Director of Bavaria Automotive GmbH and a consultant in the automotive aftermarket. His focus is on value-based repair as well as the development and implementation of data solutions for the independent aftermarket and secondary market. As a key link in claims settlement and repair processes, he supports insurers, workshops, the parts industry, parts trade, and the recycling sector with tailored solutions to optimize processes and cost structures. He has extensive expertise in data integration, as well as digitalization and revenue growth through the development of new sales strategies in the spare parts and repair market.
Oliver Hallstein is the Managing Director of ClaimParts and has many years of experience in the fields of vehicle appraisal and claims management. With the ClaimParts platform, he stands for sustainable claims management through the use of high-quality, used original spare parts in order to handle repairs to accident vehicles in a timely manner.
Patrick Lang is an expert for digital solutions in the automotive aftermarket. As Head of Automotive Products at N4 for over eight years, he is now responsible for the further development of N4 standard products for optimizing workshop processes. Holistic automation and efficiency gains, including through AI-supported product innovation, are at the top of his agenda.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
How can repair costs be reduced, resources conserved, and the carbon footprint improved at the same time? In this open space, we will shed light on the role of holistic digitalization along the lifecycle of used parts. From data collection and storage to the integration of used parts suppliers and sales – digital processes enable sustainable damage repair in line with current value. In addition to technical insights and practical examples, we will address the question of which political framework conditions and market trends are influencing this change.
KEY TOPICS
OPEN SPACE 2 I SAP PLM CLOUD AND BTP – OPTIMIZING BUSINESS PROCESSES IN A HYBRID LANDSCAPE WITH BUSINESS AI
JAN OSTERMANN
Head of Technology & AI
INOMIC
WAEL RAOUF
Head of Technology & AI
INOMIC
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
How can business processes be optimized using Business AI? In this Open Space, INOMIC’s Heads of Technology Wael Raouf and Jan Ostermann will shed light on the possibilities of SAP PLM Cloud and the Business Technology Platform (BTP) for optimizing product design and business processes. After a technical introduction and live demo, there will be an open discussion on how Business AI can automate and improve processes.
KEY TOPICS
Open Space 3 I The future of e-commerce in the industry: what’s coming, what’s staying, what’s going?
HOLGER REIMSBACH
Solution Manager
4PACE
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
How will industrial e-commerce develop by 2030? In this open discussion, Holger Reimsbach, Solution Manager at 4PACE, will talk to participants about upcoming trends, existing challenges and the decisive course for the future. Together, they will examine success factors and strategic approaches that will keep industrial companies competitive in the coming years.
KEY TOPICS
Network with industry colleagues and recharge your batteries before the program continues!
DR. MARKUS BRANDSTETTER
Managing Director
Digital Innovation Strategy Consultants DISC-ApS
MARC CIESLIK
Lead Product Owner – Online Tools
igus
MESUT CENGIZ
CEO N4,
geschäftsführender Gesellschafter 4PACE
MICHAEL WEITZ
Geschäftsführer
Freie Reifeneinkaufs-Initiative (FRI)
DR. DARLENE WHITAKER
Chief Marketing Officer
4PACE, N4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
In this panel discussion, industry and technology experts will shed light on the success factors of future-proof B2B customer journeys. The focus will be on proven strategies, innovative technologies and practical solutions for sustainable customer relationships in a dynamic market environment.
We look back on our event together.
Let our event come to an end in a relaxed atmosphere with a cold drink!
Enjoy an exquisite networking dinner in an inspiring atmosphere, accompanied by the captivating keynote speech “B2B Sales – Break your Limits” by André May.
ANDRÉ MAY
Dinner Speaker
THE SPEAKER
André May is a Spiegel bestselling author and one of the most renowned sales trainers in the German-speaking world. The former banker and sales manager imparts tried-and-tested sales methods from his own experience in his practical training courses.
THE PRESENTATION
B2B sales – Break your limits: In challenging times, self-motivation is the key to success. André May shows how simple methods can be used to optimize state management and positively influence the emotional state. Learn to recognize and change limiting beliefs in order to open up new opportunities in sales.
DR. MARKUS BRANDSTETTER
Managing Director
Digital Innovation Strategy Consultants DISC-ApS
MARC CHÉRIT
Global Account Manager – HIPS
HIMA
MARC CIESLIK
Lead Product Owner – Online Tools
igus
OLIVER HALLSTEIN
Managing Director
ClaimParts
SIXT-HUBERTUS VON KAPFF
Managing Director
Bavaria Automotive GmbH
KORBINIAN MAYER
Head of International Sales and Customer Centricity
HAWE Hydraulik
ANDRÉ MAY
Dinner Speaker
JAN OSTERMANN
Head of Technology & AI
INOMIC
KOLJA PROHL
CEO / Managing Director
Gummi Berger Gruppe
WAEL RAOUF
Head of Technology & AI
INOMIC
MICHAEL WEITZ
Geschäftsführer
Freie Reifeneinkaufs-Initiative (FRI)
ACHIM ANGEL
CEO
4PACE
MESUT CENGIZ
CEO N4, geschäftsführender Gesellschafter 4PACE
PATRICK LANG
Head of Automotive Products
N4
LUCA NAGEL
Project Manager / Product Manager
4PACE, N4
HOLGER REIMSBACH
Solution Manager
4PACE
PROF. DR. EUGEN STAAB
Solution Manager
N4
DR. DARLENE WHITAKER
Chief Marketing Officer
4PACE, N4
On May 8, eCC 2025 in St. Wendel brought together industry experts to provide a practical demonstration of how digital B2B sales works in the industry today. The focus was on customer solutions and digital sales workflows – from inquiries to 3D configuration and e-commerce. Deep dives in masterclasses on visualization, PIM and configuration & CPQ showed new ways to optimize sales.
Spiegel bestselling author André May is one of the leading experts for sales and business training in the German-speaking world. His practical, inspiring keynotes are known for their lasting impact – and that is exactly what participants could expect at our Networking Dinner 2025. With a focus on successful B2B acquisition strategies, André May brought expertise and motivation to the point.
The golf hotel in St. Wendel welcomed participants to a venue that combines professionalism with a cozy, Saarland atmosphere. As its name suggests, the event location offered a unique flair. Situated right next to a golf course, the location invited participants to relax and exchange ideas on the terrace surrounded by greenery.
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