"I enjoy the opportunity to work with products that solve real-people challenges every day. "

 In this interview, Monika Guten shares her perspective on the future of construction equipment, from innovation and safety to sustainability and smarter, more flexible solutions.

What originally drew you to the specialised construction equipment industry? I have worked in related industries throughout my career; I enjoy the opportunity to work with products that solve real-people challenges every day. The construction equipment sector is incredibly practical, every innovation can make operators more efficient, reduce downtime, and improve job site safety.

What makes you most proud about the machines or solutions SMP Parts develops? What makes me most proud is that our products are built to perform in demanding environments where reliability really matters. We focus on delivering excavator attachments that combine durability, precision, and ease of use. Knowing that operators depend on our equipment every day, and that our solutions help them work more safely and efficiently is something we're proud of.

What do you enjoy most about your work what really sparks your interest or passion in this field? I enjoy working in an industry and with a product that really makes a different in all aspects. I also enjoy working closely with SMP’s professional team, with customers and partners to understand their needs and translate those into practical solutions that create value.

What changes or trends are you currently seeing in the industry? We're seeing increased demand for open solutions that enables easy installation, SMP is part of both Open-S and MiC4.0. Contractors want machines that can perform multiple tasks efficiently while reducing operating costs, but customers still expect robust, reliable equipment that performs under tough conditions.

SMP Parts has a strong focus on durability, safety and flexibility. Why are these becoming increasingly important in today’s construction industry? Construction projects are becoming more demanding, with tighter schedules and greater focus on efficiency. Equipment needs to withstand intensive use while keeping operators safe and minimizing downtime. Flexibility is equally important because contractors want to maximize machine utilization by quickly switching between different attachments and applications. Our HardLock solution is known for the highest safety standard in the market.

Tiltrotators and specialised attachments are changing how excavators operate. What excites you most about the future of these types of solutions? The biggest opportunity is increasing machine productivity. A single excavator can perform tasks that previously required multiple machines or significant manual work. As tiltrotators, couplers and attachments continue to become more integrated with machine control systems, operators will gain even greater precision, efficiency and safety. That's an exciting direction for the entire industry.

In your experience, what is the biggest challenge buyers face when searching for specialised equipment or attachments today? Buyers are looking for reliable products that fit their machines, meet safety standards and deliver performance over many years. Finding trustworthy suppliers with the right expertise is often just as important as finding the right product.

Many specialised providers remain difficult to discover globally. Do you recognise that challenge? Yes, in this industry the existing networks or local distributors is where the customers have their trusted partners. For new products and solutions to be discovered the transfer of knowledge and support of the local distributor is key to connect the end-users with specialised manufacturers that genuinely meet their requirements.

Sustainability is one of SMP’s core values. What does sustainability mean in practice when developing heavy equipment and attachments? For us, sustainability starts with designing products that last. Quality equipment requires fewer replacements, reduces waste and lowers the total environmental impact over its lifetime. We also focus on efficient manufacturing and responsible material choices that help customers use their machines more productively, reducing unnecessary fuel consumption and emissions.

How does being visible on a platform like Justr help SMP Parts connect with the right customers globally? Visibility is essential in today's global market. Platforms like Justr make it easier for customers actively searching for specialised solutions to discover companies like SMP. It's not only about reaching a wider audience, it's about connecting with customers who value quality, innovation and long-term partnerships, regardless of where they are located.