German Machine Tool Builders' Association
Franz-Xaver Bernhard new Chairman of the VDW
Franz-Xaver Bernhard was unanimously elected as the new Chairman by the Executive Board of the VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association) and the VDMA Machine Tools and Manufacturing Systems Association.
Bernhard succeeded Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Prokop on January 1, who stepped down as Chairman at the end of his second term of office after six years in accordance with the Articles of Association.
"I am very pleased about the trust placed in me and look forward to my future tasks on the VDW Executive Board," said Bernhard after his election. He continued: "The machine tool industry is going through difficult times. Although orders are now picking up again, bottlenecks in the supply chain are often preventing orders from being delivered. It is important to keep pointing out and explaining to business partners and the public why the hands of a medium-sized industry like ours are often tied."
Bernhard was born in 1959 and completed his secondary school leaving certificate before training as a toolmaker. After his basic military service, he completed further training as a mechanical engineering technician and obtained a technical college entrance qualification. He joined Hermle AG in 1983, initially as Head of Application Technology. He then embarked on a sales career from Head of Technical Sales to Head of Sales until he was finally appointed to the Management Board for Sales, Research and Development in 2001. "That was always my goal, because customer contact and the relationship of trust that is built up with customers over many years and is essential for capital goods sales still motivates me today," says Bernhard, describing the appeal of the job.
Bernhard has been involved in the VDW since 2001, initially as a member of the Economic Committee. He took over as its chairman in 2003. He has also been active on the VDW Executive Board since 2013.
You might also be interested in
VDE study on electrical engineering
More retirements than graduations
According to a VDE analysis, more than 30,000 electrical engineers will retire by 2029 without enough graduates to replace them. This is due to falling student numbers and high drop-out rates.
read more...Giving lightweight construction a profile
Pultrusion: A process that forms fibers under tension
Pultrusion is developing from a niche process into a key process for lightweight construction and sustainable fiber composite structures. The Fraunhofer IWU shows applications from energy to mobility.
read more...Green hydrogen directly from the sun and water
A start-up project at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) aims to fundamentally simplify the production of green hydrogen: Mass-produced photoreactor panels are to be used to produce hydrogen directly from sunlight and water - without...
read more...Fraunhofer shows industrial future between AI, data and new materials
At Hannover Messe 2026, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft will be presenting solutions for a resilient industry: from AI and data rooms to hydrogen technologies and material and recycling innovations.
read more...The bottleneck is in the system
Is the transformation of the industry failing due to "German Angst"?
A recent ISF study examines what is slowing down change in German industrial companies. According to the results of the study, the causes of innovation bottlenecks often lie in internal structures and a lack of strategic orientation.
read more...Why a data-secure Germany needs joint implementation
Is 2026 a key year for a data-secure and networked Germany? Michael Fritz from the Fraunhofer Cluster CCIT explains why the coming year will be crucial for secure data spaces, common technical standards and Germany's digital future.
read more...Biodegradable label makes transportation conditions traceable
Researchers are developing a smart, compostable label that measures temperature and humidity and detects when limit values are exceeded.
read more...AI support for the circular economy
An assistance system developed at Fraunhofer IPK is used to identify, sort and assess the quality of disused household appliances, thus contributing to recycling and waste avoidance with the help of artificial intelligence.
read more...VDW Research Institute honors industrial projects
At EMO Hannover 2025, the VDW Research Institute will be honoring projects for increasing the efficiency of forging hammers and safe protective devices for grinding machines. Practical research for Industry 4.0, occupational safety and automation
read more...