A network of strong partners
The implementation and further development of Industry 4.0 requires ideas, communication, collaboration, a willingness to experiment and a willingness to learn. Many renowned companies and institutions are aware of the need to focus on tomorrow today. They work as partners in our strong network. Together, we gather important experience, develop concrete solutions for practical applications, provide answers to questions from everyday industrial life in working groups, and design the future of the smart factory.
Every company and every research institution is cordially invited to participate in this active group of members.
Our members










































AREND process automation
Automation is our core competence. But it is also our passion.
AREND is your successful partner for development and production of electrical plants (switching-, control-, measuring- and regulation-technology) and for mechanical engineering. Permanently great reliability and high quality standards are what distinguish our company.
Till plant-optimization and modernization projects, we create individual or end-to-end solutions, transparent […] and cost-effective From analysis, consulting and planning to the complete system and beyond… service, training and maintenance – all from one source.
www.arend-automation.de

Founded in Hanover, Germany, in 1871, Continental can look back on a history of success. Over the years we have brought individual mobility to the road and initiated, advanced and collaborated on a host of technological developments. As a supplier of brake systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomer products, and as an expert in networked automobile communication, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. The ContiTech division is also an expert development partner for various other key industries.
In its five divisions – Chassis& Safety, Powertrain, Interior, Tires and ContiTech- Continental has approximately 178,000 employees in 49 countries.
www.conti-online.com

The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) GmbH with facilities in Kaiserslautern Saarbrücken and Bremen and with a project office in Berlin is the leading close-to-market research center in Germany in the area of innovative software technology for commercial application.
In the international science world, DFKI ranks among the worldwide most important “Centers of Excellence” which successfully and quickly implemented leading edge research into commercially relevant application solutions. Founded in 1988 by several renowned German information technology companies, the Fraunhofer Society and a large research institution as a non-profit GmbH, the DFKI GmbH has since then established a reputation for proactive and customer-oriented work and is known both nationally and internationally as a competent and reliable partner for commercial innovation.
www.dfki.de

Empolis Information Management GmbH
Empolis supports customers in making the right decisions. Currently, around 500 Empolis installations exist around the world, and nearly 700,000 professional users rely on Empolis solutions on a daily basis to serve approximately 40 million end customers. We combine artificial intelligence technologies for CRM and service management in cutting-edge cloud solutions. They offer entirely new service quality, customer approaches and digital “As a Service” and platform business models – from signal to action. In connection with the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers unparalleled opportunities for manufacturing companies in production, service and maintenance. Real-time analysis of machine, product and service-related data, as well as the utilization of new human-to-machine interfaces (e.g. voice interface, image recognition and augmented reality) allow for fast development and good go-to-market for innovative service products. In the very near future, personal service assistants will be available to service technicians for maintenance and repair assignments, which will guide them through repair, maintenance and diagnostic processes via voice control. AI processes information and data automatically and makes them available to service workers, as required. AI technologies and digital assistants thus represent the next logical step in the fourth industrial revolution. Looking forward, human and artificial intelligence will work side by side. www.empolis.com
EPLAN Software & Service develops CAx, configuration and mechatronic solutions and advises companies on how to optimise their engineering processes. Customers benefit from increased efficiency in the production process thanks to standardised procedures, automated sequences and continuous workflows. EPLAN delivers tailor-made concepts for introducing and setting up systems as well as integrating them into the IT/PLM system landscape – based on standard engineering solutions. The service portfolio also comprises customising, consulting and training. Both standardised as well as customised interfaces to ERP and PLM/PDM systems ensures data consistency in product development, order processing and manufacturing. Factors for success in engineering include a consistent customer focus, global support and innovative development and interface expertise. EPLAN was founded in 1984 and is part of the owner-operated Friedhelm Loh Group. www.eplan.de



Founded in 1984, the Haier Group is today the world’s leading brand of major household appliances and is now transforming from a traditional manufacturer to an open entrepreneurship platform. In the era of the Internet and post e-commerce, Haier will extend its ecosystem to social networks and community economies while enhancing the user value of Haier products and services and instilling integrity as a core competence throughout the Group. Haier aims to become a global leader in the era of the Internet of Things.
Haier has approx. 66000 employees, 24 production sites and 5 research centers world-wide. The company has built 8 interconnected factories to date. Based on the internet, their goal is to replace the company’s traditional mass production with the mass production of personalized products. At Hannover Messe (Hanover Fair) 2017, Haier COSMOPlat was presented first time: COSMOPlat is China’s world-leading Industrial Internet platform with intellectual property rights.
www.haieramerica.com
HANNOVER MESSE is the world’s most important industrial fair. The central exhibition ranges are industrial automation and IT, energy and environmental technologies, power transmission and control technology, industrial supply, production technologies and services, and research and development. HANNOVER MESSE offers in addition to the range of exhibits a high-caliber program of forums, congresses and special shows and confident with the unique networking of business, politics and science on an international level.
HANNOVER MESSE is organized by Deutsche Messe AG. Every year, the German Messe AG operates around 100 trade fairs and exhibitions worldwide with more than 36,000 exhibitors, around three million visitors and 15,000 journalists from over 100 countries, and thus occupies a leading position among the world’s leading trade-fair companies.
Deutsche Messe AG Messegelände 30521 Hannover Deutschland
www.messe.de
The HARTING Technology Group is skilled in the fields of electrical, electronic and optical connection, transmission and networking as well as in manufacturing, mechatronics and software creation. The company uses these skills to develop customized solutions and products such as connectors for energy and data transmission in, e.g., mechanical engineering, rail technology, wind energy plants, factory automation and the telecommunication sector.
In addition, HARTING also produces electro-magnetic components for the automobile sector and is specialist in the field of industrial applications in the form of casings, cablings and assemblies of single or complete systems and automated vending systems.
www.harting.de

Belden Inc., a leading global provider of high-quality signal transmission solutions, offers a comprehensive product portfolio that is tailored to the needs of mission-critical network infrastructures in the sectors of industrial and building automation. With innovative solutions targeted at reliable and secure transmission of rapidly growing amounts of data, audio and video needed for today’s applications, Belden is at the center of the global transformation to a connected world.. The company is headquartered in St. Louis, USA, was founded in 1902 and operates manufacturing facilities in North and South America, Europe and Asia.
About Hirschmann, a Belden brandAs a specialist in industrial communication technology Hirschmann develops innovative solutions that are geared to the requirements of customers in terms of performance, efficiency and investment security. Hirschmann offers a complete Ethernet product line for data communication in mission-critical applications. These include Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches, and security and wireless systems that allow a single, enterprise-wide communications infrastructure.
www.hirschmann.de
HUAWEI is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices, founded in 1987. Huawei is committed to bring digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei has nearly 194,000 employees, and operates in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. Huawei‘s end-to-end portfolio of products, solutions and services are both competitive and secure. Through open collaboration with ecosystem partners, Huawei creates lasting value for its customers, working to empower people, enrich home life, and inspire innovation in organizations of all shapes and sizes. At Huawei, innovation focuses on customer needs. Huawei invests heavily in basic research, concentrating on technological breakthroughs that drive the world forward with its 16 R&D Institutes & Centers/Offices and 36 Joint Innovation Centers around the world. Huawei’s European R&D Center is located in Munich/Germany.
www.huawei.com
IBM helps organizations transforming towards Industry 4.0, starting with the idea all the way to building a sustainable value chain. Vertical and horizontal integration, data-driven optimization of production, maintenance and products, plus more efficient process across all business units are the foundation for our clients’ success. IBM offers consulting, design and implementation, along with the components of the solution. Industry analysts see IBM leading in delivering complete IoT software platforms with integrated functions such as cognitive capabilities, augmented reality, Blockchain, natural language processing or edge computing. Scalability and open interfaces of the IBM solutions are making Industry 4.0 a realistic option for every organization.
www.ibm.com
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Europe is the governmental R&D institute of Korea in Europe, founded in 1996 in Saarbrücken. KIST Europe is a specific expertise in terms of innovation-oriented research & industry support as an open R&D platform between Korea and Europe.
Our employees do on-site research in Europe for globalization of Korean science and technology in the fields of environment and energy, integrative bio-nano-engineering and smart convergence. Also we provide technology information, support in technology transfer and joint projects, and we link Korean and European partners for Korea-EU Science and Technology Cooperation.
www.kist-europe.de
KSB manufactures pumps and fittings for various application fields at more than 30 production locations in 19 countries. The offer ranges from feed systems for the private utilization of rain water to pump stations and boiler feed aggregates for large power plants. The product portfolio comprises fitting in various versions, sizes and materials and offers an extensive range of use opportunities.
14,000 employees worldwide work for highest customer satisfaction in building services engineering, industry and water management, in the energy sector and mining.
KSB AG Johann-Klein-Str. 9 67227 Frankenthal Deutschland
www.ksb.com
The Lapp Group is a globally leading supplier of integrated solutions and branded products in the field of cable and connection technology. The Group’s portfolio includes standard and highly flexible cables, industrial connectors and cable entry systems, customized system solutions, automation technology and robotics solutions for the intelligent factory of the future, as well as technical accessories.
In the 2015/16 business year, the Lapp Group generated consolidated revenue of 901 million euros. Lapp currently employs approximately 3,440 people across the world, has 17 production sites and over 40 sales companies. It also works in cooperation with around 100 foreign representatives.
www.lappkabel.de
The University of Lund in Sweden, is one of the oldest and leading universities in Scandinavia. The cooperation with the SmartFactoryKL takes place with the Faculty LTH (Lunds Tekniska Högskola) from the University of Lund. Particular projects so far and student seminars, and work in collaboration with the Department of “Automatic Control” were carried out, which is located at the area of mechanical engineering.
www.control.lth.se

MiniTec – From modular assembly systems to total customized solutions: What started with miniature linear guides in 1986, has developed into a globally recognized full-service supplier, employing more than 350 staff at ten factories, and with more than 60 partners and service sites around the world. The MiniTec modular system, with its proven, versatile components for automation engineering and plant construction is valued and used by leading companies all over the world. It is on the basis of this system that MiniTec offers the entire spectrum of a full-service manufacturer: From consultation and project planning with our own software development, through to assembly at the customer’s site, including training and after sales service.
www.minitec.de


Phoenix Contact is the worldwide market leader of components, systems and solutions in the area of electrical engineering, electronics and automation. Today, the family-owned company employs 14,500 people worldwide.
The product range comprises components and system solutions for energy supply including wind and solar, device and machine building as well as control cabinet engineering. A diverse product range of modular terminal blocks and special-purpose terminals, printed circuit terminal blocks and plug connectors, cable connection technology and installation accessories offers innovative components.
Phoenix Contact supports the digital transformation with products, systems and solutions. Based on the experience in the in-house machine building, the company knows the requirements of the digitalization and integrated data flow from the engineering through the production and along the whole product life cycle.
www.phoenixcontact.com/industrie40
Pilz is a complete automation technology supplier. The company covers the whole of automation technology, from sensor technology to control and actuator technology. The product range is being expanded to include relevant software tools, diagnostic and visualisation systems and services. Complete system solutions are the result.
Pilz solutions consist of both automation and safety functions. One example is the automation system PSS 4000, whose central concept is to merge safety and automation. As a distributed control system PSS 4000 still provides a centralised view of the automation project. PSS 4000 enables the mechatronic approach to be transferred to control level. This allows engineering times to be reduced considerably.
Pilz‘s approach is to automate plant and machinery in such a way that the safety of man, machine and the environment is always guaranteed.
www.pilz.com


Economical, precise, safe, and energy efficient: drive and control technology from Bosch Rexroth moves machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile Applications, Machinery Applications and Engineering, and Factory Automation to develop innovative components as well as tailored system solutions and services. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drives and controls, gear technology, and linear motion and assembly technology all from one source. With locations in over 80 countries, more than 29,500 associates generated sales revenue of approximately 5 billion euros in 2016.
www.boschrexroth.de
Rittal, headquartered in Herborn, Hesse, Germany, is a leading global provider of solutions for industrial enclosures, power distribution, climate control and IT infrastructure, as well as software and services.
The wide range of products from the global market leader includes configurable enclosures, whose data is available throughout the entire production process. Intelligent Rittal cooling solutions, with up to 75 percent lower energy and carbon dioxide consumption requirements, can communicate with the production environment and enable predictive maintenance and service planning. Innovative IT solutions ranging from IT racks, modular data centres through to edge and hyperscale computing solutions also form part of the company’s portfolio.
Leading software providers EPLAN and Cideon complement the value chain, providing interdisciplinary engineering solutions, while Rittal Automation Systems offer automation systems for switchgear construction. Rittal delivers within 24 hours in Germany – precisely as needed, flexibly and efficiently.
Founded in Herborn in 1961 and still run by its owner, Rittal is the largest company in the Friedhelm Loh Group. The Friedhelm Loh Group operates worldwide with 18 production sites and 80 international subsidiaries. The entire group employs more than 11,300 people and generated revenues of around €2.2 billion in 2016. For the ninth time in succession, the family business has won the accolade “Top German Employer” in 2017.
Further information can be found at www.rittal.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.

SAMA PARTNERS is an independant IT and Engineering Consulting Company combining expertise in different branches with integrated solutions. As a link between classic and industrial IT, our Consulting Service is based on high quality in planning and implementing innovative process- and IT solutions.
We are your reliable and competent partner in optimating and secure designing of your IT and business processes, adding value to your company. Furthermore, we train your employees in different disciplines, sensitising them for important issues like IT-Security.
www.samapartners.com

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a global technology powerhouse that has stood for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for more than 165 years. The company is active in more than 200 countries, focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalization. One of the world’s largest producers of energy-efficient, resource-saving technologies, Siemens is a leading supplier of efficient power generation and power transmission solutions and a pioneer in infrastructure solutions as well as automation, drive and software solutions for industry. The company is also a leading provider of medical imaging equipment – such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging systems – and a leader in laboratory diagnostics as well as clinical IT. In fiscal 2016, which ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens generated revenue of €79.6 billion and net income of €5.6 billion. At the end of September 2016, the company had around 351,000 employees worldwide.
Further information is available on the Internet at www.siemens.de


TU Kaiserslautern (TUK). Strong in research and embedded in an excellent network the TUK has gained a considerable reputation on a national and international level since its foundation in 1970.

TÜV SÜD is a premium quality, safety, and sustainability solutions provider that specialises in testing, inspection, auditing, certification, training, and knowledge services. Represented by more than 24,000 employees across 1000 locations worldwide, TÜV SÜD holds accreditations in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. More information: www.tuv-sud.com
Within Digital Service TÜV SÜD offers Consulting, Testing and Certification services for Industrie 4.0. TÜV SÜD combines more than 150 years of industry expertise with state-of-the art digital knowledge.


Your partner in Industrial Connectivity
As experienced experts we support our customers and partners around the world with products, solutions and services in the industrial environment of power, signal and data. We are at home in their industries and markets and know the technological challenges of tomorrow. We are therefore continuously developing innovative, sustainable and useful solutions for their individual needs. Together we set standards in Industrial Connectivity. The Weidmüller Group owns manufacturing plants, sales companies and representatives in more than 80 countries. In its fiscal year 2016 Weidmüller reached sales of 680,4 million Euros with 4,500 employees. www.weidmueller.com