The automotive and industrial supplier Schaeffler has announced "structural measures in Europe". This includes the reduction of 4,700 jobs, around 2,800 at ten locations in Germany.

With Omnect, Conplement Nuremberg offers a solution for the increasing requirements in the area of software supply chains.

Where and when does the industrial maintenance sector meet? Always in February in Dortmund. That's when the leading trade fair for maintenance takes place. Industry experts in the southern half of Germany and in Austria can benefit from a shorter journey next year. In the fall of 2025, the maintenance team will also be hosting a trade fair in Munich for the first time.

The last trade fair highlight of the year will be SPS in Nuremberg from November 12 to 14. This is where the international automation industry, users and interested parties meet to present, test and discuss the latest automation, digitalization and smart factory products.

1,350 NC programs with tool setup lists, 4,600 complete tools and 3,200 individual components for around 22,500 items - all stored in one database: The contract manufacturer Armbruster is networking its production IT with a modern tool lifecycle management system in record time, thus securing growth opportunities.

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In companies, trousers are often the subject of heated debate when purchasing workwear. Cut, fit, pocket arrangement, comfort, weight - trousers for everyday work must fit and be equipped with functional details, and the quality must be right.

In September, incoming orders in the mechanical and plant engineering sector fell short of the previous year's level by 4% in real terms.

Siemens wants to strengthen its software business with a billion-dollar takeover. The Munich-based company intends to take over the US company Altair Engineering for around 10 billion US dollars (around 9.2 billion euros), as Siemens announced.

Eurotech, an edge AI and IIoT company, and its subsidiary InoNet Computer, a German manufacturer of customized industrial PCs, will be presenting their extensive hardware and software portfolio at SPS.

The competition for the INDUSTRIAL Production Products of the Year has entered the next round. This year, our readers can vote in eight categories. We are also awarding a special prize. Another novelty: We are waiving the nomination fee!

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SPS, the traditional automation highlight at the end of the year, will take place in Nuremberg this year from November 12 to 14. The internationally important trade fair has been frequented by interested parties and exhibitors from all over the world for more than three decades.

Manufacturing SMEs in Germany do not have it easy: a shortage of skilled workers, geopolitical conflicts and the associated supply difficulties and inflation are just some of the challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain environment.

To make harvesting robots or submarine grippers more universally applicable and autonomous in the future, researchers at the Fraunhofer IWS are teaching them to feel: They are working on artificial grippers modeled on nature. The combination of 3D and dispensing printing with other technologies is helping here.

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Premiere at the SPS: LAPP is launching remote I/O devices that support IO-Link technology for the first time. This further rounds off the company's portfolio in the field of industrial communication.

According to Baumüller, the DST3 torque motor from Baumüller offers users optimized power density and improved dynamics with optimum running smoothness.

With the KES-E-R cable entry system for cables and wires without connectors, Conta-Clip offers a practical alternative to traditional cable glands.

Maxon reports on the launch of the Escon2 servo controller and Motion Studio software at SPS.

Belden is expanding its Lion product range with new Lion Safety I/O modules for functional safety in highly automated processes.

Modern production processes require flexible and ergonomically adjustable workstations and transport solutions. RK Rose+Krieger has developed a new synchronized control system for the implementation of such systems.

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From 2026, sustainability reports will be mandatory for most companies. Those who adapt their own IT and organize their data flows in good time can benefit from the new regulations and make their company fit for the future.