möbelfertigung: Ms. Koppenberger, could you briefly outline what “Columbus 360°” is all about?

Ruth Koppenberger: “Columbus 360°” is a holistic solution for woodworking shops that already use vacuum technology or want to start using it – with a clear goal: to implement projects more reliably, avoid mistakes, and save time and material in a targeted way. Over the past 50 years, we have built up extensive practical knowledge – from veneering and shaping to complex custom solutions. With “Columbus 360°”, we are now structuring and bundling this knowledge into a well-designed overall system: high-quality vacuum technology, decades of application experience, and digital support through artificial intelligence. The user no longer gets just a machine, but a system that guides them step by step to reliable, repeatable results. Or, to put it differently: for the first time, the mixer now comes with a cookbook. (laughs)

möbelfertigung: How did the idea for “Columbus 360°” come about?

Ruth Koppenberger: The idea came directly from practical experience. We work closely with woodworking shops on a daily basis and repeatedly see that technology alone does not determine success – know-how does. Which materials work? What temperature is ideal? What pressing time is appropriate? Without this knowledge, unnecessary trials, material losses and wasted time occur. This is exactly where we come in. With “Columbus 360°”, we make this knowledge structured and accessible at any time, enabling our customers to achieve reliable results more quickly.

möbelfertigung: What motivated you to develop “Columbus 360°”?

Ruth Koppenberger: Our goal has always been for our customers not just to work with vacuum technology, but to succeed economically with it. Many companies recognize the potential of vacuum presses but only use a fraction of it, leaving opportunities untapped. With “Columbus 360°”, we give woodworking businesses the confidence to implement new applications without long testing phases. In practical terms, this means becoming productive faster, securing additional orders, and getting significantly more out of their investment.

möbelfertigung: Was there a specific moment or experience that served as a turning point?

Ruth Koppenberger: Yes, we see this situation time and again: a company buys a vacuum press and initially uses it only for a few applications. As experience grows, the full potential becomes clear – and the machine is used much more intensively. This leads directly to higher utilization, more projects and faster return on investment. This effect showed us how crucial the right knowledge is. “Columbus 360°” addresses exactly this by providing that know-how from the very beginning.

möbelfertigung: What technical foundation does “Columbus 360°” rely on?

Ruth Koppenberger: The technical foundation is our vacuum press technology, developed over decades and designed for reliable, long-term use in daily operations. Our presses are modular, allowing businesses to adapt their machines precisely to their needs and expand them at any time – without making wrong investments. A robust steel construction and durable components ensure minimal downtime and consistent performance. The lifetime warranty – excluding wear parts – provides additional investment security. This technical foundation is complemented by structured application knowledge and digital support, making the entire process significantly safer, more efficient and more predictable in practice.

möbelfertigung: What is the greatest benefit for customers?

Ruth Koppenberger: The greatest benefit is application reliability. Companies know exactly how to implement projects successfully – without long trial phases, unnecessary material loss or wasted time. At the same time, vacuum technology opens up new opportunities: complex shapes, new materials and projects that were previously difficult or uneconomical. “Columbus 360°” therefore leads to higher efficiency, better capacity utilization and measurable economic success.

möbelfertigung: How long did development take?

Ruth Koppenberger: The foundation is almost 50 years of experience in vacuum technology – knowledge that now saves our customers many learning steps and mistakes. We have been developing the “Columbus 360°” concept over the past few years and officially introduced it at the beginning of 2026. During this time, we systematically structured our entire practical knowledge and combined it with digital solutions to make it directly usable in everyday work.

möbelfertigung: What role does artificial intelligence play in the manufacturing process? Where exactly does it come into play?

Ruth Koppenberger: Artificial intelligence plays a central role for us – but not in the traditional sense of automation. Its main purpose is to provide application security and decision support. AI addresses exactly the areas where the greatest uncertainties arise in practice – namely, the correct application of technology in daily work. It supports users before, during and after the production process. Before the process, it helps with selecting the right materials, settings and procedures. During the process, it provides guidance for specific application steps – like a digital assistant. After the process, it enables analysis, optimization and improvements for future applications. The key advantage is that users no longer have to rely on trial and error. Instead, they receive proven recommendations immediately. In other words: we do not use AI to replace people, but to make them safer, faster and more successful. That is the real added value of AI in practice.

möbelfertigung: Do you have partners in this project?

Ruth Koppenberger: Yes, especially in the field of artificial intelligence, we work with specialized partners. The goal is to ensure that users receive quick and reliable answers to specific application questions. We were also supported by our marketing agency in positioning the concept.

möbelfertigung: Are there already pilot customers?

Ruth Koppenberger: Yes, several customers are already working with “Columbus 360°”. Experienced craftsmen particularly appreciate the quick access to practical knowledge, which helps them save time and avoid mistakes. At the same time, beginners benefit from having clear guidance from the start, allowing them to become productive much faster.

möbelfertigung: What kind of customers use “Columbus 360°”?

Ruth Koppenberger: Our customers mainly come from the woodworking industry – especially joineries, interior fit-out companies, furniture manufacturers and high-end workshops. What they share is not so much their size, but their mindset. These are businesses that want to develop further, explore new production possibilities and invest consciously in quality, efficiency and the future. We work with both small, highly specialized workshops and larger companies looking to structure and scale their processes. Often, a company initially assumes it will only use the machine occasionally – and then realizes that entirely new business opportunities arise. Our solution is not only used to improve existing processes, but to make new business models possible. And that is what makes our customers more successful in the long term.

möbelfertigung: What has been the initial response from the industry?

Ruth Koppenberger: The response has been very positive. Many craftsmen immediately recognize the added value, as “Columbus 360°” goes beyond the machine and supports the entire application process. The combination of technology, knowledge and digital support is seen as a clear advantage – especially because it helps reduce errors, save time and make new opportunities economically viable.

möbelfertigung: What are your goals with “Columbus 360°”?

Ruth Koppenberger: Our goal is for woodworking businesses to fully exploit the potential of vacuum technology – with higher efficiency, fewer errors and better results. If companies can increase their capacity, win new projects and operate more profitably as a result, then we have achieved our goal. We do not see “Columbus 360°” as a product, but as a long-term foundation for our customers’ success.

Since 1976, Columbus GmbH has been supplying innovative vacuum technology to the woodworking industry. Founded by Günther Vetter – a third-generation master carpenter and inventor of the vacuum bag – the company from Linz, Austria has grown into a global market leader in vacuum presses. CEO Ruth Koppenberger has shaped the company since 1991, building a successful international sales network and developing the patented modular “Pioneer” system, which allows flexible, scalable investments. In its anniversary year, Columbus presents “Columbus 360°” – a unique all-in-one solution combining technology, decades of practical experience and artificial intelligence to deliver maximum application reliability.