Twin in the computer
“Logistics often remains invisible – yet it moves the world,” says Daniel Gilgen. A conversation with the CEO of the internationally operating Swiss general contractor about the challenges of a family business, sustainable logistics strategies, and his perspective on artificial intelligence.
Mr. Gilgen, you took over the family business in the third generation at the beginning of 2023. What motivated you to take this step?
D. Gilgen: This wasn't planned long in advance, but rather developed gradually. In 2017, I applied for a position as overall project manager within the company and thus slowly immersed myself in the family business and the topic of intralogistics. And to this day, I remain fascinated by intralogistics. I've always enjoyed taking on responsibility, and so the opportunity to help shape the company quickly arose.
D. Gilgen Photo: Inoveris/M. Frutig
Your company has been in motion for over 60 years – it was founded in 1961. What was the biggest challenge for you in growing into this responsibility?.
Our path wasn't as traditionally laid out as is often the case in family businesses. My father worked for a long time in the sister company, so the transition to my position at Gilgen Logistics AG was relatively smooth. This was also because our views largely aligned. From the outset, I was given a great deal of trust and freedom to manage the company operationally and develop it strategically.
Lift concept at Kägi
What personally fascinates you about logistics and intralogistics?
Logistics makes it possible for food to reach supermarkets, medicines to be available in hospitals, and Christmas presents to be delivered on time. It's impressive how complex systems of mechanics, hardware, control systems, IT, and construction work together seamlessly. This versatility—both organizational and technical—and the contribution we are privileged to make to society inspire me.
What distinguishes Gilgen Logistics from other providers in the industry?
We are one of the few family-run companies in the intralogistics sector. This allows us to make quick decisions and respond flexibly to customer requirements. Furthermore, our engineering expertise enables us to develop and implement customized solutions and innovations.
High performance with the RGB
The lockdown years were a challenge for many companies. How did you manage this period?
It was a challenging period, both personally and professionally. However, we managed to complete all our projects on schedule, which required a great deal of effort. For example, I even stepped in as a substitute project manager myself to protect an older colleague. Our focus was on the health of our colleagues and our clients' business, along with ensuring the security of supply for the population – it was a balancing act.
What role does sustainability play in your corporate strategy?
For us, sustainability means building durable systems. Some of our systems have been in operation for over 40 years. We also rely on energy-efficient drives, energy recovery, and other innovative approaches that minimize resource consumption. One example is our newly developed storage and retrieval machine, which requires less weight and energy while delivering the same performance.
Storage technology at USM. Photo: Gilgen
How do you see the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the logistics industry?
AI has the potential to revolutionize many sectors and industries. In intralogistics, we are already using learning systems, for example in predictive maintenance. This helps to avoid breakdowns and make operations more efficient. However, AI is not a replacement for all skilled workers – but it will complement or facilitate work in many areas.
Their booth at «Logistics & Automation 2025» in Zurich is definitely worth a visit...
We'll be bringing our augmented reality (AR) glasses to showcase our innovative solutions to interested visitors. We've been successfully using this technology for some time now in sales, as well as in installation and maintenance.
Virtual Twin
What are you most looking forward to there?
For us, «Logistics & Automation 2025» is an important platform for maintaining a presence in the Swiss logistics industry. We are particularly looking forward to exchanging ideas with other exhibitors, customers, and potential partners.
Here's 
Daniel Gilgen in his own words.
