"With our domain knowledge, we have a unique selling point and we should also use it to our advantage in the face of global competitive pressure." Fleischer, who took over from Prof. Michael Zäh from iwb Munich on January 1, 2026, worked in industry for eleven years before joining the University of Karlsruhe. "Not only do we have a wealth of scientific expertise across the entire spectrum of production technology, but we also bring a lot of industrial experience to the table. We know the challenges faced by manufacturing companies, and we can and want to help them."

More than 70 leading scientists have joined forces in the WGP. "Manufacturing companies can take advantage of the WGP's unique expertise in all areas of production technology - including future topics such as quantum technologies - and work with us to develop tailor-made solutions for their specific needs," reports Fleischer. Together, sustainable technologies can be developed and competitive production systems designed. "The deep understanding of manufacturing systems in Germany and the ability to provide innovative developments for the global market gives us a head start, which we must utilize more urgently than ever in view of the declining competitiveness of German industry," warns the
new WGP President. The challenges of new technologies are particularly important for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in order to make themselves fit for the future. "The WGP institutes offer them excellent opportunities for cooperation."

WGP is working on the production of tomorrow

The members' 46 internationally renowned university and Fraunhofer institutes have state-of-the-art laboratories in their respective subject areas that can be used as real-life experimental fields. New approaches to digitalization, automation or sustainability can be developed in this way. For example, the Karlsruhe team developed a 3D printer for fiber composite components for a machine and plant manufacturer. They supported another company with the introduction of AI-supported optical quality control for bent parts punched every second. The researchers are also working with consortia of larger companies and have, for example, created the world's first highly flexible production system for battery cells (AgiloBat).

Artificial intelligence in particular will radically change production. "However, small and medium-sized companies in particular - the backbone of our prosperity - often do not have the necessary human and financial resources for the transformation," the Karlsruhe scientist points out. The WGP therefore consolidated the ProKI project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research under its umbrella in January 2025 and has been offering workshops, consultations, seminars and demonstrators ever since - low-threshold support that benefits everyone.

Learning speed from the Chinese

Fleischer has also been an Advisory Professor at Tongji University in Shanghai for over ten years, where he has set up a technology center for advanced manufacturing. "China is and remains an important market for us," he emphasizes. "I used to be there to support German companies, among other things. Today I'm there to learn from the Chinese how to drive forward mechanical and plant engineering with such astonishing speed and efficiency. We have to copy that if we don't want to fall behind on the global market."

Faster transfer of innovative solutions into business practice has always been a concern of the professors, especially as new technologies are developing rapidly. Ten years ago, Fleischer launched the WGP Production Academy, a modular training program for practitioners who want to keep up to date with the latest technology. The modules can be put together individually to create a tailor-made offer. "Manufacturing companies that want to stay ahead must use innovative manufacturing processes in order to exploit the immense potential of new technologies," says Fleischer. "If you don't evolve today, you will no longer be competitive tomorrow."