STAMPING/FORMING TECHNOLOGY AND METALWORKING

At the Competence Centerfor Stamping/Forming Technology and Metalworking, wesupportsmall and medium-sized companies as well as global market leaders in the fields of sheet metal, tube, and profile processing through stamping, forming, and deep drawing, as well as the further processing of components into welded assemblies, their mechanical processing, and surface treatment.

Many companies in these sectors are characterized by a high degree of vertical integration, which requires the perfect interaction of many specialist areas. Disruption in traditional industries such as automotive and mechanical engineering is also increasing the pressure on these companies to diversify. With an often heterogeneous customer structure comprising several traditional industrial sectors such as automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, and medical technology, these companies cannot usually be clearly assigned to any one of these sectors. Compliance with various quality standards in production, such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949, is increasingly being supplemented by customers with proof of an integrated quality management system that includes standards for energy efficiency, environmental protection, and sustainability (ISO 50001, ISO 14001, or ISO 26000). Building up the necessary expertise within the company is usually not possible through further training alone; technical reinforcement of the company is required.

In many areas of application, the trend toward lightweight construction and energy-efficient product design is driving the use of new materials such as aluminum or high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel grades. The transition to these new materials poses major challenges for companies, not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of the expertise available within the company. This makes investments in production equipment just as necessary as expanding the know-how of skilled workers and managers.

In addition, the metal manufacturing industry in Germany is facing increasing competition from countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. As in many other industries, Germany's position as a manufacturing location can only be secured through innovation and modernization of production, including Industry 4.0. The digitalization of manufacturing and a growing degree of automation are thus also presenting these companies with additional challenges in finding suitable skilled workers and management personnel with a high level of technical expertise and interdisciplinary skills. At the Competence Centerfor Stamping/Forming Technology and Metalworking, wesupportthese companies in solving their tasks by selecting suitable skilled workers and management personnel.