Building Digital Excellence: Thomas Lang Shapes the Future of ACTUM Digital Germany
Thomas Lang is a seasoned CEO with a remarkable track record of transforming and scaling technology-driven companies. His expertise in turning "sleeping dogs" into market champions, most recently demonstrated at Life Couriers where he grew the company from €65M to €160M in revenue, brings valuable insight to ACTUM Digital's expansion in Germany following its strategic acquisition of kuehlhaus in 2024.
The Path to Partnership
You've led several successful business transformations. What attracted you to join ACTUM Digital after your role at kuehlhaus?
What immediately struck me about ACTUM Digital was their understanding of the full-service portfolio necessity in today's digital landscape. This resonated deeply with my experience at kuehlhaus, where we recognized the limitations of a single-product focus. ACTUM Digital's approach aligns perfectly with where the market is heading.
More importantly, ACTUM Digital's business spirit - their fast decision-making, effectiveness, and flexibility - is quite unique in the German market. The straightforward, ambitious approach that CEO Tomáš Vondráček and Managing Partner Jan Havel bring to the business is exactly what the market needs.
The acquisition of kuehlhaus by ACTUM Digital seems to be a strategic fit. Can you elaborate on this?
The synergy was clear from our first conversations in April 2024. Both companies were on similar development trajectories, but ACTUM Digital brought the scale and comprehensive service portfolio that kuehlhaus needs to break through its growth ceiling.
Moreover, ACTUM Digital's cost-efficient operations and excellent delivery attitude provide a significant competitive advantage in the German market, where prices are often inflated.
Vision and Strategy
What's your vision for ACTUM Digital Germany's future?
We're positioning ourselves as an attacker in the German market, building on kuehlhaus' strong foundation in websites and ecommerce, while leveraging ACTUM Digital's broader service portfolio.
The immediate focus is on stabilizing and embracing our existing customers during this transition phase, but we see enormous potential for growth.
Our strategy is twofold: deepening relationships with current clients by introducing them to our expanded capabilities and attracting new customers with our compelling full-service offering. The German market is ready for a provider that combines local expertise with international capabilities and competitive pricing.
How do you plan to achieve this growth?
We have a clear roadmap outlined in our 2025-2030 strategy. In the beginning, we are focusing on manufacturing companies and eCommerce customers, where we already have a major stronghold, with the goal of building a selection of strategic accounts. This includes dedicated key account management for major clients and targeted acquisition of new strategic accounts.
What makes us unique is our ability to combine ACTUM Digital's innovation and efficiency with German market understanding. The German 'Mittelstand' needs to gain more dynamism and drive in digitalization to stay competitive internationally, and this is exactly the energy ACTUM Digital brings to the market. This positions us perfectly to serve these medium and large enterprises that form the backbone of German economy.
Leadership in Digital Transformation
What's your leadership philosophy in driving this transformation?
I believe in determining a company's DNA and creating the foundations for innovation. Customer experience is paramount - it's the key to sustainable success. My approach combines deep business understanding with analytical thinking, always maintaining cost consciousness while driving both top-line and bottom-line growth.
In the digital transformation space, it's crucial to understand the latest technologies while maintaining a strong entrepreneurial mindset. This allows us to help organizations adapt and act in a future-oriented manner.
Looking Ahead
As ACTUM Digital Germany embarks on this new chapter, Thomas Lang's strategic vision is clear. The combination of kuehlhaus' strong local presence and ACTUM Digital's comprehensive digital capabilities creates a unique position in the German market. The focus on manufacturing and eCommerce sectors, coupled with ambitious growth targets for strategic accounts, sets a strong foundation for future success.
With Lang's proven track record in digital transformation and ACTUM Digital's innovative approach, the company is well-positioned to become a leading force in Germany's digital landscape. The emphasis on combining international capabilities with local expertise promises to bring a fresh perspective to the market, offering German businesses a partner that understands both their specific needs and global digital trends.