On May 1, 2026, there were personnel changes in the top management of the ifm group of companies. Dr. Volker Frey succeeds Benno Kathan as CTO, who has retired.

Schaeffler improved its operating profitability in the first quarter of 2026 despite declining nominal revenue. The Group generated 5.764 billion euros in revenue and increased EBIT before special items to 285 million euros. E-mobility and Asia/Pacific were the main growth drivers.

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With its 15th five-year plan, China has placed robotics at the center of its new industrial strategy. The aim is to focus AI research on physical applications and use robotics as the main driver of economic growth.

Grinding is often used for high-precision component production or demanding surfaces. The combination of machine, measuring technology, expertise and tools is becoming increasingly important for this. Targeted developments for specific applications, such as the machining of brake disks or cast parts, ensure further efficiency gains for the user.

Sereact secures 110 million US dollars in a Series B round. The capital will be used to further develop the Cortex 2 AI platform - a solution in which robots actively take over picking processes in warehouses and production.

Large module gears for ship drives place high demands on machining. Switching from skiving to 5-axis simultaneous milling with high-feed tools considerably shortens the roughing process. Process parameters and a well thought-out tool selection are crucial here.

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GrindingHub 2026 will take place from May 5 to 8 in Stuttgart and is fully booked: 460 exhibitors from 28 countries will showcase innovations in grinding technology. New forum, start-up hub and joint stands provide impetus for practice and exchange.

At Interpack 2026, Sick will be showcasing its portfolio of sensor, automation and AI-supported solutions for secure and digitally networked packaging processes in the consumer goods, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries.

The German machine tool industry is showing the first signs of stabilization in 2025, while China is expanding its production, replacing Germany as the largest exporter for the first time and further strengthening its dominant role in the global market.

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Thanks to innovations and a focus on strategic industrial markets, Sick was able to moderately increase its sales in the 2025 financial year. In a turbulent market environment, the company was able to maintain its position and gain market share with sensor solutions. Profitability remains at a low level.

Many developments in the field of artificial intelligence have so far failed to be transferred from the research lab to industrial practice. The spin-off Athenyx Robotics from RWTH Aachen University aims to change this: The start-up transfers robotics research results into real production environments.

Additive manufacturing has developed dynamically in recent years and has long outgrown its status as a purely innovative technology in many industries. Nevertheless, companies still face the challenge of integrating AM into their production processes not just selectively, but sustainably and economically. The Solutions 4AMIndustry Forum powered by VDMA, which will take place on May 7, 2026 as part of rapid.tech 3D, will address precisely this point and focus on practical solutions for industrial applications.

Leadership determines whether production areas deliver stable results under pressure or remain in reaction mode. Clear management tasks, roles and routines ensure performance and turn deviations into results instead of crises.

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A report from Check Point Exposure Management on the threat landscape in the manufacturing industry shows a dramatic increase in ransomware, supply chain attacks and OT-related cyber incidents. As smart factories and connected supply chains become more prevalent, attackers are changing their tactics.

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The French software group Dassault Systèmes has made a solid start to 2026 and is continuing to focus on artificial intelligence, cloud applications and virtual twins as growth drivers in its industrial business.

The Fraunhofer FKIE is opening a new site for defense and security research in Leipzig. The focus is on cyber security, resilience and industrial innovation.

Making the electrical infrastructure fit for future challenges with greater safety and speed - that is the aim of the new technology partnership between ABB and Rittal. Together, the two companies want to create innovations for the European and international market that will significantly accelerate the development and expansion of electrical infrastructure.

In the 2025 financial year, Bosch Rexroth generated sales of around 6.5 billion euros. The company thus succeeded in maintaining its business at the previous year's level despite the persistently difficult environment. Order intake recorded significant growth.

In the past 2025 financial year, the Wago Group achieved an eight percent increase in turnover compared to the previous year. The company is also expanding its product portfolio and entering the smart home market.