Today, we have with us Mr. Lennart Schulenburg, CEO of VisiConsult, a global leader in X-ray inspection solutions, who shares his unique perspective on innovation, leadership, and the future of industrial technology.
With a background in informatics and a passion for digitalization, Lennart discusses VisiConsult’s pioneering role in AI-driven automation, overcoming challenges in international markets, and navigating a successful generational transfer within the company.
From his leadership philosophy to his love for extreme sports, this interview offers a glimpse into the mind of a visionary who is driving transformation in the NDT industry while staying grounded in core values of safety, precision, and collaboration.
Hello Lennart. Pleasure to have you with us. Can you please introduce yourself to our wonderful readers?
My name is Lennart Schulenburg, I am CEO of the X-ray solutions provider VisiConsult. We are manufacturing 2D and CT X-ray systems, a comprehensive software suite and offer a broad set of services to our global customer base. I have a background in informatics and therefore am highly enthusiastic about the potential digitalization, automation and new technologies like AI will bring to our sector.
… VisiConsult leads Industry 4.0 innovations. What recent tech transformation excites you most?
In the last years, we have seen a major wave of digitalization efforts and increasing levels of automation in our industry. Our company has been at the forefront of this trend. Now the increasing efficiencies are causing new bottlenecks in the evaluation step of inspection (e.g. reading X-ray images). I am incredibly excited of the potential that Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers to solve this challenge through new technology. We are seeing rapid improvements of capabilities that will truly transform our industry. And it makes me very proud that VisiConsult is again the clear leader in this next wave.
… you’ve successfully led VisiConsult’s expansion into global markets like the Americas and China. What challenges have you faced in introducing VisiConsult’s NDT solutions in these diverse regions?
Our systems are embedded in our customers processes and sometimes even directly into the manufacturing lines. This makes them mission-critical, and any downtime will shut down their operations. Therefore, our biggest focus was on scaling local service capabilities ahead of time. This was a challenge in new markets with different cultures while also being a financial burden as we lacked regional revenue in the beginnings. But over time this strategy was always successful and assured customer satisfaction and therefore loyalty in the end. As a private company, we can do what is right in the long run even if it hurts our bottom line today.
… you’ve led VisiConsult through a generational transfer process. What were the key challenges in maintaining the company’s culture while fostering innovation?
Every generational transfer is always a “Make it or Break it” moment for privately owned businesses. We have navigated this period quite well due to an intentional 10-year handover process, a formalized value manifesto and close collaboration between the generations. Even more challenging was to handle the intense growth from 20 employees to 250 within less than 8 years at the same time. I see it as one of my primary tasks to engage with our new colleagues and make sure our values do not get compromised or watered down during the rapid growth phase. Innovation and our culture are our “right to exist” and must not be compromised.
… operating in a sector that demands precision, how do you harmonize innovation with upholding top safety and accuracy in your NDT systems?
Innovation and safety are not mutually exclusive. While innovating and growing it is key to preserve the core and stimulate progress at the same time. The core are the non-negotiables like safety, precision, high quality and reliability. While progress is achieved through new processes, technologies and strategies. In that area we have implemented an agile mindset: Form a hypothesis, implement a low-effort test case, measure outcomes, fail and pivot or double down and then iterate. We allow our employees to experiment and even fail to learn, but never accept the integrity of our solutions being compromised.
… how has your leadership helped shape the company’s culture of innovation and collaboration, especially when driving new developments in NDT technology?
Culture is determined by the sum of decisions and actions taken by a company’s management. The biggest driver of emerging culture is not so much what I as the CEO do, but rather how our middle management is operating on a day-to-day basis. My main task is to make sure we have the right people in the right position, the company is pursuing the right goals and that there is accountability regarding our values. You cannot mandate culture, and it does not matter what you say, but rather what you do every day. It is key that this message is clearly communicated and there is no doubt and uncertainty around it.
… you’ve worked with a wide array of clients and industries. Is there a particular project or success story in NDT that stands out as your proudest achievement?
I can recall many proud moments and great successes. But humbly, I can also recall equally many failures and mistakes we have made. What makes me generally most proud is to see our teams winning and succeeding. It is amazing to see the organizational structures we have architected working well and seeing individual employees grow beyond what they thought were capable of. I also get a lot back from talking to our customers and learning about the impact our equipment has on the safety of their products. It is empowering to know how airplanes, cars and other devices get substantially safer through our technology.
… if you could have dinner with any innovator or business leader (living or from the past), who would it be and why?
That list is long! There are many leaders like Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Ghandi and many more that I admire for some of their character trades and experiences. But if I had to pick one, I would choose Jeff Bezos because of his thorough long-term thinking, customer obsession, and successful business diversification. Discussing his philosophy around scaling, risk-taking, and innovation would provide valuable lessons in leadership and future-proofing a business. His views on the future of space exploration through Blue Origin would also add an interesting layer to the conversation.
… as someone deeply involved in cutting-edge technologies, do you have a favorite piece of tech you can’t live without—professionally or personally?
Due to the pace of our professional lives, I can’t imagine a world without a smartphone anymore. It is remarkable how much you can get done with these small devices. But this power also comes with risks, as work become ubiquitous and is invading the private sphere. I must admit that I often fail drawing clear boundaries in that regard for myself, which can have a toll on your personal live. Therefore, I am trying to intentionally disconnect from time to times to recharge – even as a technology enthusiast.
… what is one thing people might be surprised to learn about you when you’re not wearing your CEO or board member hat?
That I am scoring high in the introvert scale who needs extended time periods alone to think and recharge. I have learnt to do a job that requires constant social interaction and communication, but it is not my natural predisposition.
… your work takes you all over the world—do you have a favorite city or country that inspires you, either for work or leisure?
I love traveling the world and getting to know new places and cultures. But one of my favorite cities in the world is Capetown in South Africa. There is just something magical about it that I get drawn to.
… what’s a hobby or interest outside of work that keeps you grounded amidst the fast-paced world of industrial technology?
I am a sports enthusiast. My day-to-day sport is running as I can do it anywhere without any equipment or other constraints. I frequently run marathons and other events to challenge myself and enjoy the positive vibes. But I am also a big fan of extreme sports like freeclimbing, kitesurfing and snowboarding. To stay balanced I do my daily session of Yoga in the morning. You can only perform professionally at your highest level with a healthy body, which sport helps me to maintain. Success, whether in sports or in business, requires the same virtues – focus, discipline, endurance and passion.
… if you could master any skill or talent outside of your professional expertise, what would it be?
I would love to be able to play a music instrument. I am a big fan of the piano and love to listen to it. So far, I have not made it a priority to learn this skill. Maybe one day.
… in a world rapidly moving towards automation and AI, what do you think will remain uniquely human in the way we do business?
AI and automation are only a tool that must be directed and put to work by humans. I am not concerned of the machines taking over. Even though the rising adoption will have massive implications for many people and organizations. Yes, it will mean that certain tasks, jobs and even companies will cease to exist, but we will always need humans for the very tasks that make us humans. This includes ethical judgement, human interaction, applying emotional intelligence, creativity and innovation. These uniquely human traits will complement AI and automation, ensuring that businesses remain people-centered even as technology transforms our industry.
… as a leader involved in innovative sectors like analytics and space technology, where do you see the future of industrial manufacturing heading in the next decade?
Nearly all matures economies worldwide will deal with a severe demographic shift in the next decade. We will face unprecedented lack of skilled labor, while at the same time being confronted with a changing culture that puts more emphasis on the private than the professional live. This will lead to shrinking productivity and rising costs. At the same time sustainability will become a major factor in how we make decisions. I personally firmly believe that without adopting automation, digitalization and AI, companies will simply go out of business. We are amidst one of the biggest and fastest technological and cultural changes the world has ever seen. It will cause major disruptions, but also major chances for those ready to claim them.
Finally, what are your thoughts on OnestopNDT? Do you think our efforts to provide real, authentic and accurate content are helping the industry? Also, do you think our platform helps the community connect with like-minded people?
You guys are doing a great job spreading the news about the latest trends in technology and innovation. I think it is key that there are focused platforms like OnestopNDT that provide technicians and managers in our industry a comprehensive but also digestible overview. Keep up your great work.
