Machinery & Equipment Industry

• Automated lab testing
• Hospital disinfection
• Social distancing
• AI-ROBOTICS vs COVID-19 Initiative
• DIH-HERO emergency call

Automated lab testing

German robotics companies are increasingly shifting production from fully automated production plants for the auto industry to automated manufacture of protective masks. The EUR 15 billion industry is stepping in to provide automated laboratory testing using robots in order to speed up the otherwise time-consuming blood testing process.  

According to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), lab robots provide an invaluable alternative to manual test execution, particularly with lab capacities being stretched to their limits and where test installations cannot be converted flexibly enough for test variants and new, modified test procedures.  

Hospital disinfection

Robots are also being used to safeguard strict hygiene requirements. Specialized robots are helping disinfect hospitals by emitting concentrated UV-C light to eliminate bacteria and other harmful microorganisms. This allows medical facilities to guarantee a 99.9 percent disinfection rate, thereby reducing the potential risk of Covid-19 infection to patients, hospital staff and their immediate families. 

Social distancing

Strict social distancing requirements have likewise led to an increase in the use of service robots to entertain nursing home residents currently facing a strict visiting ban. Service robots are also being put to good use in German supermarkets to inform customers on Covid-19 behavioral rules when shopping. 

AI-ROBOTICS vs COVID-19 Initiative

The European Commission has launched the AI-ROBOTICS vs COVID-19 initiative to ideas about deployable artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics solutions as well as information on other initiatives that could help face the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The aim is to create a unique solutions and initiatives repository that is easily accessible to all citizens, stakeholders and policymakers as part of a common European response to the Covid-19 outbreak. 

DIH-HERO emergency call 

The European Commission is also currently analyzing funding opportunities available to support AI-ROBOTICS vs COVID-19 solutions and initiatives. The Horizon 2020-funded DIGITAL INNOVATION HUBS in HEALTHCARE ROBOTICS (DIH-HERO) project has issued an emergency call for late-stage robotic technologies and solutions that can be deployed in the healthcare sector quickly to help healthcare professionals meet current clinical demand and need. 

The deadline for the technology experiment transfer call has been extended until June 15, 2020. The call is intended to provide financial support for eligible pan-European cross-border collaboration projects across five application areas of diagnostic robotics, interventional robotics, rehabilitation robotics, robotics supporting patients, and robotics supporting healthcare professionals.

As well as promoting technology transfer from non-healthcare actors, DIH-HERO seeks to overcome implementation hurdles that might otherwise hinder new medical technology business and to create new value chain links. As the current coronavirus crisis is showing, real and very significant potential exists for robot application in the healthcare sector and rehabilitation robotics industry. 

DIH-HERO is an independent platform that connects Digital Innovation Hubs across Europe to create a sustaining network for actors active in the healthcare robotics sector. The project consortium consists of 17 core partners spread across 11 pan-European countries.

Leading Industry

• Number 1 domestic industry sector by level and degree of innovation

• Number 2 domestic industry by turnover – generating EUR 226 billion in 2017 alone

• 6,500 companies and more than 1 million workers along the value chain

• 3.5 % value added share of German economy gross value added

Global Export Leader

• 16% share of global machinery trade making it world´s leading supplier

• 79% of machinery turnover generated from international exports

• German manufacturers are the world market leaders in 19 out of 31 M&E sectors

Innovation

• EUR 6 billion R&D spending (2015-2017) – upward trajectory forecast to continue

• EUR 7 billion - German market for Industrie 4.0 solutions (2018 forecast turnover)

Foreign Direct Investment

• Number 1 FDI destination in Europe – around 700 M&E FDI projects (2012 to 2017)

^{Source: VDMA 2018, FDI markets 2019, GTA FDI Competence Center 2019}

The Machinery & Equipment Industry in Germany | © GTAI

Industry Overview: The Machinery & Equipment Industry in Germany

Machinery & Equipment is the largest and most innovative industry sector in Germany, and so one of major strategic importance.

Fact Sheet: Mechanical Engineering: Industry Clusters in Eastern Germany | © GTAI

Mechanical Engineering: Industry Clusters in Eastern Germany

The machinery and equipment (M&E) sector is the most innovative and second largest industry sector in Germany.

The Robotics and Automation Industry in Germany | © GTAI

Fact Sheet: The Robotics & Automation Industry in Germany

Germany’s robotics and automation (R&A) industry has enjoyed unprecedented success over the last decade.

Delta Shelving Systems GmbH - Stephen Eddowes, Managing Director

Stephen Eddowes, Eigentümer und GF, Delta Shelving Systems | © LEG Thüringen, Fotograf: Andreas Hultsch , Jan 2014

"My heart chose Germany. The German culture of quality and excellence is what “Made in Germany” is all about. In terms of surmounting relocation hurdles, Germany Trade & Invest has been absolutely first-class – 10 out of 10!" (2014)

Redpack Maschinen GmbH - Jeremy and Stuart Briston, Managing Directors

Jeremy and Stuart Briston, Managing Directors, Redpack Maschinen GmbH | © Redpack Maschinen GmbH/GTAI

"As Europe's largest consumer market at the heart of Europe, Germany offered an exciting place for our family run business to open a subsidiary. We found out that our quality and bespoke machines are well suited to the German marketplace where reliability, durability, low maintenance and safety standards are of paramount importance." (2014)

GA Pack GmbH - Hong Gang, Chairman of the Board

Hong Gang Chairman of the Board, GA Pack GmbH | © GA Pack GmbH/GTAI

“Germany is traditionally known for improving on what is already good. We greatly value that German employees – much like the entire society – place an emphasis on quality, both in the result and in the process.” (2011)

Kingsbury Inc. – William R. Strecker, President and CEO

Kingsbury Inc. – William R. Strecker, President and CEO | © Kingsbury Inc./GTAI

"As Kingsbury (USA) begins its second century of innovation, Germany represents a natural extension for growth throughout the European Union. Many of our OEM customers have home-base operations in Germany, and the technological skills of the German work force is well suited to our business." (2014)

MetoKote Corporation - DeWayne Pinkstaff, President and CEO

DeWayne Pinkstaff, President and CEO of MetoKote Corporation | © MetoKote Corporation/GTAI

“The opening of our new Mannheim facility is another step in achieving our global mission of providing custom coating solutions to our valued customers. We are excited to be centrally located in the heart of Europe and eager to serve both our strategic partners and acquire new customers in the region.” (2010)

MARKET - Exceptionally high domestic demand results from Germany's strong industrial structure. The four biggest producing industries (chemicals, electronics, automotive, and food & beverages) are also the four most important client sectors for the M&E industry. In the region of 11 thousand companies – with a combined workforce of around 2.8 million – are active in these four sectors, generating combined turnover of around EUR 900 billion in 2017.
PERSONNEL - Germany’s universities and universities of applied sciences produce some of the most highly qualified employees in the business. Almost 30% of all university and college graduates have an engineering or applied sciences degree. Germany’s unique dual education system – combining classroom and on-the-job training – is specifically geared to meet industry needs, making it attractive to investors and a model for international success.

• Business Location Germany | Labor Market Availability

R&D - Manufacturers located in Germany work in close partnership with a network of around 100 mechanical engineering university faculties and numerous internationally recognized research institutes.

• R&D Framework
• Selected M&E Industry - Related Innovation Clusters in Germany

INCENTIVES - Germany offers a broad platform of incentives for all investors - regardless of whether they are from Germany or otherwise. There is a large selection of programs designed to support a wide variety of business activities at different stages of the investment process. Support ranges from cash incentives for the reimbursement of direct investment costs to incentives for labor as well as research and development.

Within the new High-Tech Strategy, the government offers special support for technology partnerships and provides R&D grants and loans. Germany’s INDUSTRIE 4.0 Future Project is one of the declared priorities in the new High-Tech Strategy. The Federal Government is providing comprehensive support to establish Germany as a lead market and provider of key technologies and as a future center for production.

• Business Location Germany | Investment Incentives

PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE - We offer an extensive and comprehensive logistics infrastructure that integrates state-of-the-art transportation networks with the most modern telematics, IT, and telecommunications systems.

• Business Location Germany | Infrastructure

STABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT - Social, economic, and political stability provide a solid base for your corporate projects. Our judiciary and civil services are highly professional. Contractual agreements are secure and intellectual property is strictly protected in Germany.

• Business Location Germany | Legal System

• AIA - Institute of Applied Computer Science - University of Karlsruhe
• BDI - Federation of German Industries
• DFG - German Research Foundation
• ECB*S - European Certification Boards Security, Fire & Life Safety
• Fraunhofer Society
• German Mechanical Engineers Learn from the Crisis and Pursue Proactive Strategies for the Future
• Helmholtz Association
• IGOS - Institute for Galvanic & Surface Technology (in German only)
• Institute for Robotics & Mechatronics
• Institute for Robotics & Process Control - Technical University of Braunschweig
• Institute for Robotics - University of Hannover
• IPA - Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering & Automation
• IRF - Robotics Research Institute - University of Dortmund
• Leibniz Association
• Make it in Germany
• Max Planck Society
• SME Robot Initiative
• VDMA - German Engineering Federation