Laser and machine tool producer Trumpf is the overall winner of the GERMAN INDUSTRY 2015 innovation prize. The winner in the Product category is the family-owned industrial enterprise Rittal. Schmalz, a medium-sized enterprise specialising in vacuum technology, receives the award for the Best Innovation System. With the first award of the GERMAN INDUSTRY innovation prize, the Staufen AG consultancy recognises outstanding, application-oriented innovations by medium-sized enterprises. “Trumpf receives the prize for an entirely new business model which is pioneering in its orientation to Industry 4.0,” explains Martin Haas, Executive Board member of Staufen AG. “The company thus serves as an example to the industry which in its entirety still predominantly banks on product innovation, as confirmed by the Innovation 2015 industrial monitor.” The innovative business model by Trumpf represents an integral solution for Industry 4.0 in the production process. The new subsidiary Axoom GmbH, set up specifically for this purpose, has developed an operating system with pre-installed apps for the world of production. Features of the open, manufacturer-independent platform include the transport of data as well as their storage and analysis. “With this new business model, Trumpf dares to take the leap into value creation processes that are radically new to the company. It is thus most apt that Trumpf treats this new venture like a proper start-up,” Martin Haas emphasises. In this process, the laser specialist can rely upon its innovation system. The innovation culture supports and encourages all employees to innovation and a future-oriented approach. Alongside Trumpf as the overall winner, Staufen AG has made awards to two other medium-sized companies. With the much improved efficiency of control cabinet cooling systems, Rittal GmbH makes an important contribution towards ecological sustainability. Energy consumption can be reduced by up to 75%. The product is also equipped with an intuitive interface and designed for Industry 4.0. “For this extraordinary achievement, Rittal deserves the special prize in the Product category,” Staufen AG Executive Board member Martin Haas emphasises. J. Schmalz GmbH has developed an innovation system that generates innovations like “on a production line”. Martin Haas elaborates: “From innovation strategy to innovation controlling and the broad integration of market, customer and trends, Schmalz works professionally and with a great sense of responsibility for its employees and the environment. This explains the company’s stunning rate of innovations and ensures that the innovation pipeline is well filled at all times.” GERMAN INDUSTRY innovation prize and innovation forum: The “GERMAN INDUSTRY Innovation Prize” was awarded for the first time in 2015 on the occasion of the “GERMAN INDUSTRY innovation forum” on 3 November in Stuttgart. The independent award of the prize is based on a two-step assessment process. On the one hand, companies apply for the award with an innovation in one of the following categories: business model, product, process or structure. Staufen consultants then examine these innovations for their economic effects and their benefit to the company. At the same time, experts from the Lean Management Consultancy analyse and assess the companies’ innovation systems with the aid of seven categories. Awards are given to outstanding, application-related innovations from medium-sized companies. Winfried Kretschmann, Prime Minister of Baden-Württemberg, is the patron. More information: www.inno2015.de Photos of the GERMAN INDUSTRY Innovation Forum 2015
