Federal Minister of Education and Research congratulates Festo on 100 years

Innovations such as those implemented in the "Incredible Machine" are in line with the Federal Government's goals of promoting digitalization and innovative technologies in industry. The Federal Minister's visit therefore illustrates the close connection between politics and industry in shaping the digital transformation. Trusting cooperation with strategic partners is also of great importance to Festo: through active networking and dialog with partners from business, science and politics, the company quickly picks up on impulses from the global research environment and focuses on cooperation and open innovation.

Innovation has been part of Festo's DNA from the very beginning. This is also reflected in the fact that the company invests 8.8% of its turnover (2024) in research and development - more than in previous years and more than the industry average. "We are convinced that constant innovation is one of the decisive competitive advantages," explains Dr. Ansgar Kriwet, Chief Research and Development Officer, who welcomed the Federal Minister to the stand on behalf of the Festo Management Board.

The result: around 100 patent-ready product innovations every year and more than 2,600 patents worldwide. In research and development, Festo is working on the innovations of tomorrow. With an eye on the future, new ideas are constantly being developed - from intelligent components to integrated systems. Festo can offer a uniquely broad portfolio of pneumatic and electrical automation technology as well as digitalization and AI solutions that fit together seamlessly.

Education as the central key to the transformation of industry

The minister was also impressed by the idea of education in automation technology: this topic is also presented in the "Incredible Machine": Festo, with its Didactic division, is the global market leader in the field of technical education and training. For the company, technology and people are inextricably linked: "Successful transformation in the industrial environment is only possible if skilled workers can understand and apply technical innovations. We see this need for further training in many sectors today - a good example is battery production with all its new demands on skilled workers," says Dr. Ansgar Kriwet, Chief Research and Development Officer. The guiding principle of lifelong learning also applies to around 20,600 Festo employees worldwide and has been the basis for successfully driving forward the development of technologies for 100 years.

Festo Incredible Machine

Based on the principle of a Rube Goldberg machine, the "Incredible Machine" does not manufacture a specific product, but tells the story of the movement in automation technology that has significantly influenced the family-owned company Festo. The machine demonstrates Festo's extensive expertise and inventive spirit in automation technology, with which the company shapes many industries and supports customers in operating successfully in their markets.