Würth Group’s Post

WE ARE WUERTH On the occasion of Professor Würth’s 75th work anniversary, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the distribution center at the company’s headquarters in Künzelsau-Gaisbach, Germany. During a joint tour with Professor Würth, the automated logistics processes were shown to Chancellor Scholz. 📦 Würth aims to fully leverage the benefits of #digitalization and #automation. For the strategic development of logistics, Würth has set itself the goal of achieving an automation level of 75 percent by 2030 in the companies with the highest sales volumes. After all, automated logistics processes ensure the company’s continued growth. Robots are an important part of Würth’s automation strategy: On the one hand, customers can be supplied faster and more reliably thanks to automated processes. On the other hand, they relieve employees of physically strenuous tasks. In addition, robots in logistics increase productivity. Chancellor Scholz also took a look at the construction progress of the expansion of the distribution center. Würth is investing in a highly automated #logistics center there, showing Würth's strong commitment to its customers and the Hohenlohe region. #würth #wuerth #würthgruppe #wuerthgruppe #wurth #anniversary #reinholdwürth #bundeskanzler #kanzler #chancellor #olafscholz

It was a fruitful exchange with all our guests from Flanders Make! For me, the most important takeaway is the discussion about assembly and disassembly from different perspective of views, i.e., research, industry, and politics. Look forward to more exchanges on these exciting and promising topics! #assembly #disassembly #circulareconomy

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐠 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐬. The historically and culturally significant UNESCO World Heritage city in the eastern Bavarian region has not only developed into an internationally sought-after tourist destination but also into one of the most important economic centers in Germany with internationally leading high-tech companies and a strong  MSME business sector. With its networks and future clusters in biotechnology & healthcare, IT security, mobility & logistics, sensor technology, cultural and creative industries, green technologies,  energy, artificial intelligence, and start-up support, especially in the field of digitalization, the city of #Regensburg is now a Europe-wide recognized location for successful innovation and cluster policy. #Automotive industry: Starting with the establishment of BMW Group in Regensburg in the 1980s, automotive technology has become an important focus of the city's economy, with suppliers, developers, and universities. #Biotechnology: Regensburg is the undisputed number 2 in biotechnology in Bavaria #Logistics is now Germany's third largest economic sector after the automotive industry and trade. The greater Regensburg area is one of the most attractive logistics regions in Germany and Europe, not only due to its good infrastructural connections to the supra-regional transport network but also its favorable geographical location. #Informationtechnology: After Munich and Nuremberg, Regensburg is Bavaria's third strongest IT location. The economic area's approximately 1,000 companies employ a total of around 20,000 people. This means that the IT sector provides one in nine jobs in Regensburg. World-renowned companies such as Telekom, Siemens, Infineon and OSRAM Opto Semiconductors operate here. Do follow and don’t miss on interesting and important business facts about one of the top cities of Germany... 10 reasons why quality of life is great in Regensburg - swipe below

Hardly any other topic occupies the automotive industry as much as digitalization. But how far along are we really in the development of the software-defined vehicle? On February 5, 2025 in Hanover, experts from science, business and politics will shed light on how open source, systems engineering and collaborative methods can lead to sustainable change.  Participants include Dr. Anna Meincke (Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Bauen und Digitalisierung), Prof. Thomas Vietor (NFF - Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik/ Technische Universität Braunschweig), Marc Ludwig and Holger Last (both Siemens Mobility), Oliver Denninger (FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik), Dominic Reder and Benedikt Bonnmann (both adesso SE), Christian Varnholt (Volkswagen AG) as well as Torge C. H. Brandenburg and Dr. Gerrit Schrödel (both ITS mobility). 📍 Location: adesso SE, Hanover 📅 Date: February 05, 2025 📝 Program and registration at: https://lnkd.in/eE3GqxUt The network meeting is part of the “TASTE the Future” Germany tour, which is jointly organized by the consortium partners FZI Forschungszentrum Informatik, DLR Institut Systems Engineering für zukünftige Mobilität, NFF - Niedersächsisches Forschungszentrum Fahrzeugtechnik, fortiss and ITS mobility as part of the Transformations-Hub TASTE. _________ #nffbraunschweig #tubraunschweig #digitalization #software #mobility #innovation #systemengineering

🕰️ Are we at the eleventh hour for the European manufacturing industry? In our latest column for AUTlook - Fachmagazin, Friedrich Bleicher and I discuss the mounting structural challenges that Austria’s manufacturing sector faces. With iconic companies like KTM, Schaeffler, and Siemens grappling with unprecedented pressures, the question arises: are we prepared to act decisively to secure Europe’s manufacturing future? We explore pressing questions like: 💡 How can Europe’s manufacturing sector embrace higher levels of automation and autonomous, data-driven production as a condition for success? 💡 What must change to reverse the decline in value-added activities and ensure local production contributes over 20% to GDP? 💡 How can wisdom and collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers lead us back to sustainable growth? The time to act is now. As structural pressures intensify, we must harness the opportunities of Industry 4.0 and let wisdom and foresight guide our strategies. I’d love to hear your perspectives: 💬 How do you see Europe navigating these industrial challenges? 👇 Let’s discuss in the comments. EIT Manufacturing Vienna University of Technology IFT - Institut für Fertigungstechnik und Photonische Technologien #Manufacturing #Resilience #Industry40 #CircularEconomy #Leadership #AUTlook

Following intensive negotiations between Volkswagen AG, IG Metall and the Works Council, a joint agreement entitled ‘Zukunft Volkswagen’ (Future Volkswagen) has been concluded. Together, the company and the Works Council are positioning Volkswagen AG for sustainable success. ➡️ We’re reducing our production capacity in Germany by 734,000 units. ➡️ We’re lowering labour costs by 1.5 billion EUR per year. The workforce at Volkswagen AG will be reduced by more than 35,000 by 2030 in a socially responsible manner. This includes a newly formulated job security plan through to 2030. Our goal is to become the technologically leading volume manufacturer globally by 2030. 💪 #Volkswagen

Technological innovations, electric vehicles, and sustainability requirements are some of the many factors transforming the automotive industry. In a context of rapid changes, training employees for the challenges of the present and future is crucial.   Through in-depth interviews, WifOR Institute studied practical qualification pathways to provide recommendations for companies in the sector. The insights will be shared next month in a study commissioned by e-mobil BW GmbH, the agency for mobility solutions in the German state of Land Baden-Württemberg.   One of these interviews took place at the office of manufacturer Daimler Truck AG, which is transitioning towards the electrification of vehicles. WifOR's Researcher Henry Zehe joined training specialists Daniel Rolf Regelmann and Henry Mayer to discuss the company's work at their education center.   Before enrolling an employee in a specific program, the team at Daimler Truck “conducts pre-selection of modules and determines what qualifications will be needed in each particular case”, explains Mayer. Regelmann, on his part, highlights the importance of addressing safety matters when teaching new skills.    Our study, titled “Professional Development in Practice – An Analysis of the Presentation of Qualification Paths in the Automotive Industry”, also presents examples of successful integration of theory and practice, flexible learning formats, and effective managerial strategies.   The study, to be available in German, will be released on December 4th at a dialogue event organized by Transformationswissen BW c/o e-mobil BW GmbH in Stuttgart. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/euhmpwgY   Many thanks to AgenturQ and the companies that participated in the study: AUDI AG, MAHLE, Albert Handtmann Metallgusswerk GmbH & Co. KG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Stöhr GmbH Metalltechnologie, ZF Group, Schaeffler.   Be the first to receive news on this and other labor market updates by subscribing here: https://lnkd.in/dr2wreRB   #Qualification  #SkillsOfTheFuture #LaborMarketResearch

Ian Birrell’s article discusses the challenges facing Volkswagen (VW) and the German automotive sector, emphasizing economic stagnation. Wolfsburg, a city built around VW, faces uncertainty as the company transitions to electric vehicles (EVs). Potential factory closures raise economic and political concerns, with job losses possibly fueling populist support. Germany’s automotive industry is central to its economy, significantly contributing to jobs and exports. However, competition from Tesla and Chinese firms reveals that German carmakers lag, particularly in EV technology and software. Germany’s engineering expertise has been a foundation of success, and some believe it could still drive adaptation. Others warn that outdated attitudes and insufficient tech investment could hinder progress, risking decline. Birrell concludes that Germany must adapt or risk becoming obsolete in a digitalized market. Birrell captures VW’s crisis well, linking it to broader socio-economic and political challenges. VW’s struggles mirror the issues faced by the German automotive industry as it moves from traditional engineering to digital technology. This shift impacts not only Wolfsburg but the entire sector, increasing risks of economic instability and populist growth. Global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions complicate VW’s situation, affecting access to critical EV components and influencing adaptation strategies. Examining German labor laws and union influence reveals whether the sector’s structures are flexible enough for rapid adaptation. EU emissions policies and EV subsidies shape VW’s strategy; assessing whether these regulations are beneficial or restrictive offers valuable insight. Highlighting VW’s and the industry’s potential in software and battery technology shows how leveraging expertise could regain competitiveness. Emerging tech initiatives demonstrate the industry’s innovation capacity, providing a balanced perspective. Germany’s reliance on its traditional manufacturing base limits flexibility and digital investment. This rigidity complicates modernization efforts, putting pressure on VW and other manufacturers. The Detroit analogy underscores the urgency for transformation within VW and the German automotive sector. Exploring the broader ecosystem’s adaptation shows potential paths forward. Despite challenges, sectors like renewables and tech startups could offer solutions, creating opportunities. Without embracing technological change, VW and Germany’s automotive industry risk losing leadership. Their future as industrial powers depends on their response. Geopolitical factors complicate this, and Germany must reduce reliance on external influences for sustainable growth. Partnerships that secure resources and boost competitiveness are crucial for survival. #globalaffairs #germany #europeanunion #automotiveindustry #innovation #supplychain #strategicauthonomy UnHerd @Ian Birrell

MAN celebrates topping-out ceremony for new battery production facility in Nuremberg. . Total investment of around 100 million euros . Almost 350 jobs in future technology . Start of large-scale battery production for all-electric MAN trucks and buses from April 2025 . MAN is the first commercial vehicle manufacturer in Germany with its own battery series production . MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp: "Establishing our own battery production is a milestone for MAN and an important sign for Bavaria and Germany as an industrial location." MAN Truck & Bus is making the transition to electromobility in quick succession: after a construction period of just one year, the company is today celebrating the topping-out ceremony for the new building for the large-scale production of batteries for fully electric trucks and buses at its Nuremberg site. A few weeks after the delivery of the very first MAN eTruck to a customer, the topping-out ceremony is the next highlight for the Munich-based commercial vehicle manufacturer. From April 2025, high-voltage batteries will be manufactured industrially in Nuremberg using state-of-the-art production methods on 17,000square metres. This will create almost 350 new jobs for the future. MAN will be the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to start its own battery series production in Germany. The investment volume for the new building, including investments in logistics, infrastructure, buildings and production facilities, totals around 100 million euros. Guests at today's topping-out ceremony included the Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder, Nuremberg's Lord Mayor Marcus König, MAN Truck & Bus CEO Alexander Vlaskamp and the Chairman of the Works Council at MAN's Nuremberg site Markus Wansch. To see more https://lnkd.in/dn5rp5i Frederik Zohm Michael Kobriger #MANTruckAndBus #MANeTruck #MANeTGX #MANSustainability #eMPOWERINGYou #eMobility #electroMobility #innovation #TransformingTheFuture #StrongPartners

Bosch’s plan to axe 5,550 jobs is a wake-up call for one of Germany's proudest industries. As Chinese competitors surge ahead and demand for automation slows, it’s clear: the future waits for no one. 📉 Why does this matter? Jobs aren’t just numbers - they’re families, communities, and expertise. If Bosch, the world’s largest car parts supplier, is struggling, what does that mean for smaller players? Germany’s auto giants, once untouchable, are now at a crossroads. 💡 Here’s the hard truth: The global mobility race is being won by those who innovate fast and embrace change. Meanwhile, resistance from unions and lack of agility in adapting to EVs and automation are dragging the German auto sector down. But let’s get uncomfortable for a second: Are job cuts inevitable in the age of AI and EVs? Is Germany’s high-cost manufacturing model unsustainable in this new era? How do we balance innovation with the protection of livelihoods? What’s the way forward? This isn’t just about Bosch. It’s about an entire industry needing to wake up, rethink, and reboot. Collaboration between unions, companies, and governments is crucial but so is letting go of outdated models. 💬 Agree or disagree? #Automotive #Innovation #FutureOfWork #Leadership #EV