Mechanical engineering is one of the core industrial sectors in Germany, which is faced with a multitude of challenges: In addition to the pandemic, the automotive market, which has been weakening for some time now, has had a strong influence on demand. Globalisation in the context of widely varying bureaucratic obstacles and digitalisation have been driving mechanical engineering companies for a long time. Latest topics are the importance of climate protection for the industry and how the recycling economy in the EU can be improved. The wvib Schwarzwald AG sees itself as a representative and service provider for the family-owned, medium-sized industrial companies in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. More than 300 of the 1,000 wvib-members are mechanical engineering companies. In total, they combine 17 billion in turnover and 100,000 employees. In order to support these members optimally in managing the industry-specific challenges, the go-ahead has now been given to found the wvib mechanical engineering cluster.
The first step was taken on April 28, 2020: More than twenty personalities from successful companies, including Laufer-Müller from AP&S, met online (due to the Covid-19 circumstances), to found the Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board and to define tasks and goals for the future work. The advisory board is composed of companies of different sizes, product areas and from all regions of the association's territory. The objective is to act as a driving force to derive targeted measures for the industry and to demand necessary framework conditions in the business environment.
In the founding meeting, many approaches and ideas came together to support the companies of the cluster through exchange of experience and training programs. The beginning is done, development remains interesting due to the exciting topic.
More information about wvib Schwarzwald AG can be found here: www.wvib.de
