In the Stamping / Forming Technology and Metalworking Competence Centre, we support small and medium-sized companies through to global market leaders in the areas 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 characterised by a high depth of added value, which requires the perfect interaction of many specialist areas. The disruptions in classic industries such as automotive and mechanical engineering also increase the pressure for these companies to diversify. With an often heterogeneous customer structure from several of the classic industrial sectors such as automotive, mechanical and plant engineering as well as medical technology, these companies also usually cannot be clearly assigned to any of these sectors. Compliance with different 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 in the company is usually not possible through further training alone; a professional reinforcement of the company becomes necessary.

In many areas of application, the trend towards lightweight construction and the energy-efficient design of products is forcing the use of new materials such as aluminium or high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel grades. The changeover to these new materials presents companies with major challenges not only technologically, but also in terms of the expertise available within the company. Investments in production equipment become just as necessary as the expansion of know-how among specialists and managers.

In addition, the manufacturing metal industry in Germany is facing increasing competition from countries in Eastern Europe or even Asia. As in many branches of industry, Germany can only be secured as a production location with innovations and modernisation of production up to Industry 4.0. The digitalisation of manufacturing and a growing degree of automation thus also present these companies with additional challenges in finding suitable skilled and management personnel with a high level of technical competence and interdisciplinary skills. In the Stamping / Forming Technology and Metalworking Competence Centre, we support these companies in solving their tasks by selecting suitable specialists and managers.