„Good prep is half the battle.“
Marlene Kvesic, Treasury/Insurance at Rosenbauer International AG
In an interview with Argun Zia-Dam, Account Manager at GrECo, Marlene Kvesic, responsible for Treasury/Insurance at Rosenbauer International AG, explains how the company has evolved from horse-drawn carriages to motorised fire trucks and how risk management has also transformed as a result.
Company Evolution and Historical Challenges
Zia-Dam: There have been some significant historical events in Central and Eastern Europe over the last 100 years. How has your company adapted and responded to some of these events?
Kvesic: Rosenbauer’s history is closely linked to geopolitical and technological changes. The oil crisis of the 1970s, for example, was a very difficult time for us, as it was for many other companies. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, the subsequent opening up of Eastern Europe, and Austria’s accession to the European Union opened up new economic opportunities for us.
Technologically, digitalization, robotics, and most recently artificial intelligence have had a major impact on our business. The networking of our equipment offers real added value, but at the same time brings with it increased complexity. In addition, there are new risks such as cybercrime. We have responded to this by professionalising our risk management. From export and transport insurance to product liability and cyber insurance, insuring risks is an important mitigation strategy
Zia-Dam: Looking back on the past century, what were the most significant challenges in terms of risk management in your industry and how were they overcome?
Kvesic: The bipolar world order after World War II certainly limited trade and economic growth. It was only with European integration and the liberalisation of trade relations that we were able to truly realise our potential. We went public in 1994 and used the proceeds to finance our market entry in the US and Germany. New markets and new technologies always mean new risks, which we have specifically hedged. Today, we are confronted with a multipolar world order, growing protectionism, and new trouble spots.
Innovation and Industry Transformation
Zia-Dam: What significant inventions have revolutionised your industry over the past 100 years?
Kvesic: The invention of the automobile at the end of the 19th century was undoubtedly the most significant invention for Rosenbauer. From that point on, our fire pumps were no longer mounted on horse-drawn carriages, but on motorised vehicles. Today, we are one of the leading manufacturers of firefighting vehicles worldwide.
Developments such as sensor technology, assistance systems, electromobility, and energy storage technologies have also changed our industry. Other new developments include robotic solutions for dangerous scenarios, increasingly affordable microelectronics, and the use of AI – including generative models. Autonomous systems and intelligent infrastructures are on the horizon. All of this opens up enormous potential – but also harbours new risks for which we must be prepared.
Modern Risk Management and Future Outlook
Zia-Dam: How has your company’s approach to risk management evolved over the years, and what important lessons have you learned from past experiences?
Kvesic: Safety is more complex and fragile today. People remain the most important factor, including as risk managers. At Rosenbauer, risk management is now deeply embedded in the corporate culture. Whereas an Excel spreadsheet used to suffice, we now rely on modern risk management software. Risk managers in the various departments are supported by a central team. Insurance remains a key element of risk mitigation for us. We are convinced that good preparation is half the battle.
Zia-Dam: What are your predictions for the future risk landscape in your industry, and how do you plan to remain resilient and innovative in the face of these challenges?
Kvesic: Increasing geopolitical uncertainties – for example, in Ukraine, the Middle East, or the Indo-Pacific – can affect sales markets, supply chains, and the availability of raw materials. At the same time, we must prepare for the consequences of climate change, new technological risks, and social changes. We see it as our task to work with our partners to create intelligent solutions for the challenges ahead. This requires the courage to think positively about the future.
About the Rosenbauer Group
Rosenbauer is an internationally active group and a reliable partner to fire departments around the world. The company develops and manufactures vehicles, firefighting technology, equipment, and digital solutions for professional, industrial, factory, and volunteer fire departments, as well as systems for preventive fire protection. Rosenbauer is represented in approximately 120 countries with a sales and service network. With sales of €1,305.9 million and around 4,500 employees (as of December 31, 2024), the group is the world’s largest firefighting equipment supplier.
