Supply Chain Act: No German special path
German companies fear competitive disadvantages due to the national Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG). 17 business associations are calling for the law to be suspended and for the national scope of application to be adapted to the EU CSDDD Directive in order to significantly reduce the burden on companies.
The current ranking by materialfluss, the sister medium of Industrial Production, offers a compact yet in-depth insight into developments in the intralogistics sector.
Current TOP 5
When two sliding surfaces meet
Diamant Polymer GmbH is taking over the product business of SKC Gleittechnik GmbH. All products will remain unchanged, while production, sales and customer service will be transferred to new hands.
The bottom of the valley is no place to linger
At the press conference of the VDMA Precision Tools Association, the precision tools industry presents the annual balance sheet for 2025: production decline, export development, shortage of raw materials and outlook for 2026.
Statement on the European Data Protection Day
On European Data Protection Day 2026, Christian Kubik, Manager Field Advisory Services Team EMEA at Commvault, explains why digital identities are at the heart of data protection. He shows how companies can prevent cyberattacks, secure data and restore it quickly in the event of an emergency - for greater security and trust.
Ziehl-Abegg SE achieves sales of over one billion euros for the first time. A record year between growth, headwinds and strategy.
F-gas regulation in thermal management
The tightening of the F-Gas Regulation is forcing companies to rethink. Deadlines are approaching and the question of the right refrigerant strategy is pressing. What at first glance appears to be a regulatory burden can also be a strategic opportunity. The case study shows how natural refrigerants reduce costs and create long-term investment security.
Sentiment in the German export industry brightens slightly: Ifo export expectations rise to -1.2 points in January 2026. The automotive and electrical industries in particular expect exports to grow.
Helukabel is expanding its range of 'Heluchain' cables for highly dynamic use in energy supply chains to include the 'Heluchain Topserv 201-PVC UL/CSA' and 'Heluchain Topserv 211-PUR UL/CSA' servo cables, which are particularly suitable for gliding applications with long travel distances, for example in handling or gantry systems.
Maintenance instead of replacement
Sustainability in industry starts with machines, says our guest author from Deguma: How maintenance, modernization and the 5R strategy save resources, energy and CO₂.
dm-drogerie markt is expanding its logistics site in Wustermark. Together with TGW Logistics, a highly automated distribution center for small parts and cosmetics will be built by 2029, in which 70 mobile robots will ensure efficient processes.
The bottleneck is in the system
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.
Schunk is bundling its activities in humanoid robotics by founding its own spin-off at the beginning of January. The aim of the new company is to develop modular humanoid robot hands for industrial applications.
Four trends will fundamentally change robotics in 2026, says guest author Anders Billesø Beck, Vice President AI Robotics Products at Universal Robots: predictive mathematical methods, networked cobots, task-specific AI solutions and data-driven value creation for significantly greater economic benefit.
Scientific Society for Production Engineering
Prof. Jürgen Fleischer, Head of the Institute of Production Engineering (wbk) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is the new President of the WGP (Scientific Society for Production Engineering). His goal for his two-year term of office is to work with his colleagues at the WGP to strengthen the competitiveness of the German manufacturing industry.
Reactions to the Mercosur vote
The EU Parliament's decision to refer the Mercosur agreement to the EU Court of Justice has also been met with massive criticism from the associations: it is an "industrial policy revelation", "completely incomprehensible" and a "bitter setback for Europe", according to the reactions of the VDMA, VCI, VDA and ZVEI.
The Industry 4.0 Research Advisory Board has appointed Klaus Bauer (Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen) as the new spokesperson for industry. He moves up from the position of deputy spokesperson for industry. He is succeeded in this position by Björn Sautter (Festo).
At Logimat 2026, Munk Günzburger Steigtechnik will be showcasing modular bridging steps, stairs, platform and walkway systems for production, warehousing and logistics. With online configurators, distances can be efficiently shortened, processes accelerated and occupational safety increased - individually and flexibly plannable.
Steel production slumps again in 2025
Steel production at crisis level in 2025: demand weak, import pressure high. Association head Rippel calls for 2026 to be the year to secure the location.
A study by the IBM Institute for Business Value shows: Managers in Germany and Switzerland expect artificial intelligence to provide a significant boost to sales and productivity by 2030. At the same time, there are uncertainties regarding integration and strategic implementation.
