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German industry is increasing in speed in Industry 4.0: Thus, the number of companies intelligently interweaving their production with the most up-and-coming information and communication technology had more than doubled in less than a year. The proportion of firms which are either working fully as Smart Factories or at least with 4.0 single projects has increased from 15 to 35 per cent since last summer.

The years ahead will increasingly see the German aviation industry outsource its capacities in development and production to the Far East. Plant closures loom – especially among the larger corporations in this sector. These are the results published in the Aviation Study 2015. The consulting firm Staufen, together with the German Aerospace Industries Association (“BDLI”), surveyed more than 100 aviation industry enterprises in Germany for this study.

More than 90 percent of German industrial companies now apply Lean Management methods. However, to date only one in five companies has really made their entire value creation chain efficient. This is the result of a current study of 180 companies by the Staufen AG consultancy. How companies successfully manage the transition to Industry 4.0 with the aid of Lean Management is one of the central topics at the BestPractice Day 2015 from 8 to 10 June.

Faulty airbag sensors, defective seatbelt locks, the risk of short circuits occurring in the engine compartment and ignition switches which burst into flames – during the past few weeks alone, car manufacturers have again had to recall millions of vehicles all over the world. In addition to the direct costs incurred, each product recall causes lasting damage to the image of the company. Even more astonishing is the fact that many companies, and not only those in the automotive industry, continue to work on the symptoms in a manner which lacks structure instead of using a systematic approach to the underlying causes. This is illustrated in the current market observations made by Staufen, the business consultancy firm.

Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services GmbH (LTLS) and lean management consulting company Staufen AG are further expanding their cooperation. LTLS has developed Shop floor Management (SFM) in cooperation with Staufen to address the logistical needs in the aviation business and has introduced the solution at its locations throughout Germany.

According to the latest study by brand eins and Statista, corporate consultancy firm Staufen has once again been recognised as one of the best consultancy firms in Germany. In six industries and sectors, the company from Köngen near Stuttgart is considered a top consultancy firm according to research. Compared to last year’s study, amongst other things, Staufen’s ranking in the supply chain management sector has improved further still.    

Car manufacturers have again forged ahead in the search for opportunities to boost additional potential efficiencies. Now more and more German industrial companies from other sectors, too, are backing a new management method: Toyota Kata. The aim is to systematically improve processes through changes in management behaviour. According to the experiences of the Staufen management consultancy this enables significant improvements to be achieved, such as efficiency increases of up to 20 percent.

Schuler Service already offers a wide range of possibilities to get the most out of press lines with measures for raising output, process reliability, part quality and energy efficiency. This is achieved by retrofitting innovative components, and not least by providing targeted training for machine operators and maintenance staff.

The departure towards a digital, connected future that is currently taking place in a large number of companies should be well considered and must not constitute an end in itself. Such is the conviction of Slatco Sterzenbach, 17 times Iron Man and best-selling writer. In early June, the coach will explain to visitors of the Staufen Management Consultancy’s BestPractice Day in Darmstadt why their implementation of Industry 4.0 is bound to fail if it is launched without clearly defined goals.