Gerhard Schubert GmbH is expanding its service portfolio to help packaging manufacturers address growing cost pressures, labour shortages and the need for higher machine availability. Under its 4YOU Service umbrella, the company is combining traditional maintenance with a suite of digital solutions designed to enhance efficiency, reliability and sustainability.
“Our customers are facing enormous pressures – financially and in terms of personnel and organisation. As a machine manufacturer, we not only have to respond to this, we also need to proactively offer solutions that promote transparent, networked and efficient processes,” said Uwe Galm, Director of Customer Services at Schubert.
At the centre of the expansion is 4YOUconnect, which integrates digital tools with service planning. The platform provides line operators and service teams with instant access to operating manuals, circuit diagrams, parts lists and 3D spare part views. Components can be identified and ordered directly via the integrated webshop, reducing downtime risks. Spare part kits, plug-and-play modules and tightly scheduled service deployments complement the system.
To support process optimisation, Schubert has also developed CARE 2.0 (Connection for Analytics, Reporting and Efficiency). The monitoring platform, due for launch later this year, enables standardised calculation of OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) for packaging machines. Schubert will showcase CARE 2.0 at FachPack in Nuremberg (23–25 September).
Further enhancements are planned. By interpack 2026, 4YOUconnect will include a shared maintenance calendar to align service intervals more closely with production schedules. “Our goal is a digital logbook that documents all work seamlessly and ensures a transparent service history in the long term – providing real added value, also with regard to audits and traceability,” Galm explained.
The company is also introducing guided digital maintenance routines, designed to address the skills shortage by supporting operators step-by-step through procedures. Training content is available via the company’s Schubert Learning Space, an online platform that enables operators to study and repeat courses without travel costs, contributing to CO₂ reduction.
Around-the-clock support is another focus. Alongside its 24/7 phone hotline, Schubert is preparing a digital ticketing system that will allow customers to submit requests at any time via the 4YOUconnect portal. “Another advantage is that customers can view the current processing status of their enquiry at any time, which is also helpful for further planning and implementation,” Galm added.
With these developments, Schubert is positioning its 4YOU Service portfolio as both a safeguard against unplanned downtime and a forward-looking model for customer support in the packaging sector.
