At the Competence Centre Stamping and forming technology and metalworking We support businesses ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises to global market leaders in the fields of sheet metal, tube and profile processing through punching, forming and deep-drawing, as well as the further processing of components into welded assemblies, their machining and surface treatment.

Many companies in these sectors are characterised by a high degree of vertical integration, which requires seamless coordination between numerous specialist departments. Disruption in traditional sectors such as the automotive and mechanical engineering industries is also increasing the pressure on these companies to diversify. With an often heterogeneous customer base spanning several traditional industrial sectors – such as the automotive, mechanical and plant engineering, and medical technology sectors – these companies usually cannot be clearly categorised under any one of these sectors. Compliance with various quality standards in production, such as ISO 9001 or IATF 16949, is increasingly being demanded by customers through evidence of an integrated quality management system incorporating standards for energy efficiency, environmental protection and sustainability (ISO 50001, ISO 14001 or ISO 26000). Building up the necessary specialist expertise within the company is usually not possible through further training alone; the company therefore needs to strengthen its specialist workforce.

In many fields of application, the trend towards lightweight construction and energy-efficient product design is driving the use of new materials such as aluminium or high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels. The transition to these new materials presents companies with major challenges, not only in technological terms but also with regard to the expertise available within the organisation. This makes investment in production equipment just as necessary as expanding the expertise of specialist staff and managers.

Furthermore, the metal manufacturing sector in Germany is facing increasing competition from countries in Eastern Europe and Asia. As in many industrial sectors, Germany’s position as a manufacturing hub can only be secured through innovation and the modernisation of production, right up to Industry 4.0. The digitalisation of manufacturing and an increasing level of automation therefore also present these companies with additional challenges in finding suitable specialist and managerial staff with a high level of technical expertise and interdisciplinary skills. At the Competence Centre Stamping and forming technology and metalworking We support these companies in meeting their challenges by selecting suitable specialist staff and managers.