Prof. Dr. Detlef Zühlke, Chair of the SmartFactoryKL Technology Initiative, was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal State of Rhineland-Palatinate by Minister President Malu Dreyer today.  The order is awarded, in particular, in recognition of Zühlke’s contribution to the use of modern communication technologies in industrial production.

“Professor Detlef Zühlke has made an outstanding contribution to the state of Rhineland-Palatinate as a center of education and research. Professor Zühlke is responsible for creating the forward looking project “Technologie Initiative Smart Factory” which is recognized well beyond the borders of Rhineland-Palatinate. The project has made a significant contribution to increasing competitiveness and job retention in the state,” said Minister President Malu Dreyer as she praised Zühlke at the 36th Order of Merit awards presentation. “I am very pleased to be the recipient of this award. It fills me with pride to know that my multi-year efforts in advancing the topics of Industrie 4.0 and the factories of tomorrow have received this special recognition,” said Zühlke. Because of business travel in the USA, he could not attend the official ceremony on December 5, 2017. Therefore, the Minister President made a separate presentation at the State Chancellery today.

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate created the Order of Merit in 1982 to honor the extraordinary commitment and the outstanding service of individuals for the common good. It is the highest recognition awarded by the state to an individual. To underline the importance of the award and to highlight the commitment of the individuals so distinguished, the number of living recipients is limited to 800 awardees.

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