Create synergies. Use networks - Cluster networks in the German state of Thuringia. Organizational structures and activities in strategic growth ...
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www.cluster-thueringen.de/en Create synergies. Use networks. Cluster networks in the German state of Thuringia. Organizational structures and activities in strategic growth areas and industries.
Das Netzwerk
Thuringian ClusterManagement
Hier steht das Netzwerk
Content
Foreword by the Thuringian Minister for Economy, Labour and Technology,
Uwe Höhn, and the Managing Director of the State Development
Corporation of Thuringia, Andreas Krey 4
Thuringian Networks – Introduction 5
Thuringian ClusterManagement – Importance, Objectives and Functions 6
Growth Areas and Networks
Growth Area – Automotive 8
The automotive thüringen e. V. Network
Growth Area – Life Sciences 12
The medways e. V. Network
Growth Area – Environmentally Friendly Energies and Energy Storage 16
The SolarInput e. V. Network
Growth Area – Engineering 20
The FerMeTh Network (Manufacturing Technology for Metal Machining Thuringia)
Growth Area – Plastics and Ceramics 26
The PolymerMat e. V. Kunststoffcluster Thüringen Network
Growth Area – Micro- and Nanotechnology 30
The MNT Network (Micro-Nano-Technology Thüringen e. V.)
Growth Area – Measurement and Control Technology 36
The ELMUG eG Network (Electronic Measurement and Equipment Technology Thuringia)
Growth Area – Optics and Optoelectronics 40
The OptoNet e. V. Network
Growth Area – Green Technology 44
Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM)
Growth Area – Service Robotics 46
The Food Industry 48
The Thüringer Ernährungsnetzwerk e. V. Network
The Logistics Industry 52
The Logistik Netzwerk Thüringen e. V. Network
Contact
Other Industry-Related and Technology-Oriented
Networks, Associations and Platforms 58
2 3
Foreword
Foreword by the Thuringian Minister for Economy,
Foreword by the Thuringian Networks
Labour and Technology, Uwe Höhn, and the Managing
Director of the State Development Corporation
of Thuringia, Andreas Krey
Uwe Höhn, Andreas Krey,
Thuringian Minister for Economy, Managing Director of
Labour and Technology the State Development
Corporation of Thuringia
Dear ladies and gentlemen, Dear Readers,
the Free State of Thuringia is one of the centers of economic growth in Germany. Reasons for this are: good In the last 15 years, Thuringia’s cluster landscape has experienced outstanding development. Among the
location assets, the proximity of business and science, skilled professionals, our traditional spirit of innova- very first networks formed here were the automotive thüringen, PolymerMat, medways and OptoNet Net-
tion and the strength of our industry. Thuringia has a proportion of the manufacturing industry higher than works who represent major players in the traditional growth areas of automobile, plastics, life sciences and
in all other eastern German states and is even above the average of the western states. In proportion to the optics/opto-electronics. Also boasting years of network experience are the MNT and SolarInput Associations
number of inhabitants, we have more industrial companies than in Saxony, Bavaria and Baden-Württem- which represent companies in the micro- and nanotechnology and solar sectors. Additonal networks have
berg. It behooves us to make use of this unique potential. In order to do so, we need to establish cross-bor- been added to this list during the last few years; like the Thüringer Logistik Netzwerk and the food industry
der cooperation in our industries. network ELMUG for electronic measurement and equipment technology, and the FerMeTh network for the
engineering sector.
More and more companies recognize that they can leverage their growth and innovation potential only
through cooperation and can only thus remain competitive, in particular in the face of market globalization. Although the technologies represented by these networks are very diverse and their structures and key
This is one of the reasons why businesses invest into sustainable network institutions and press ahead activities different, they all have one thing in common – the bundling of sector-specific interests of indus-
with cluster development. try and research in order to successfully develop Thuringia as a technology center even further. To achie-
ve this, these network organizations have developed a wide spectrum of tasks, including the handling of
The Thuringian Ministry for Economy, Labour and Technology supports these initiatives. In cooperation with strategic topics affecting technology development, organizing expert events and participating in trade
the State Development Corporation of Thuringia (LEG Thüringen), we have established Thuringian Cluster fairs, along with network building on an international level. But these networks also have a portfolio of
Management (ThCM) as a service and information center. It serves to support the cluster institutions that sevices for their members – such as mediating cooperative efforts and initiating projects, developing ju-
strengthen the Thuringian economy as well as to promote network building between companies and re- nior staff and location marketing.
search facilities.
There is also an active exchange between these networks as well. Here the focus is on expert dialogue
Since September 2012, ThCM supports close cooperations with other networks. Together, they promote the unlocking new perspectives for cross-industry cooperation. With their professional expertise, the net-
strategic-conceptual development of the promising growth segments. Currently the establishment of the work offices deliver tangible and individual support as mediators in this process. But these network clus-
Network for Renewable Energies is being prepared. Apart from project and network activities, one of the ters also cooperate closely in answering questions about securing skilled personnel or international mar-
core areas of ThCM is facilitating roadmaps for growth segments and their implementation. keting efforts.
With the present booklet, we would like to offer you an overview of ThCM and other active Thuringian sec- They have been supported in these efforts since 2012 by Thuringian ClusterManagement (ThCM) which has
tor networks. They are central, efficient and committed regional actors and therefore right at the heart of created a structure for advancing and promoting joint cluster development in Thuringia’s growth areas. Ac-
the Thuringian cluster. Furthermore, the present handout aims to highlight the potential links for Thurin- tivities such as internationalization, securing skilled personnel and location marketing strengthen exis-
gian businesses and other network actors in order to help them find and explore different possibilities for ting initiatives, cross-sectional and cross-cluster dialogue and an exchange of knowledge.
joint projects and cooperations. And of course, it should encourage you to develop a stronger role within
those networks. This editon of the cluster brochure provides an up-to-date overview of existing networks, their key activi-
ties and network goals. As such, it represents an initial orientation guide for companies, scientists, but
We hope you can enjoy and benefit from this work. also politicians, associations and societies.
Sincerely yours,
Uwe Höhn Andreas Krey On behalf of the networks,
Thuringian Minister for Economy, Managing Director of the State Development Dr. Klaus Schindler, Managing Director of OptoNet e. V.
Labour and Technology Corporation of Thuringia
4 5
Thuringian ClusterManagement:
Importance, Objectives Thuringian ClusterManagement
and Functions.
Functions of ThCM include.
Shaping a future-oriented economic development ThCM is active in the following growth
To develop and support existing and new network clusters in
areas and industries:
a targeted way, the Thuringian Ministry for Economics, Labour
and Technology (TMWAT) set up Thuringian ClusterManagement
(ThCM) at the State Development Corporation of Thuringia. The
ThCM is the product of a recommendation in the “Trend Atlas Thü- 1 | Conducting Roadmap Processes 4 | Expanding and Deepening the Network
ringen 2020”1 (for a future-oriented economic development of the
German state of Thuringia) which was compiled by Roland Berger Together with relavant players, we put together concepts, so-cal- We support intensifying and expanding the networking activities of
Strategy Consultants. led roadmaps, for growth area development. These roadmaps de- those involved in, and especially between, potential areas of growth
fine goals, measures and milestones. The starting point for these and business activity. This includes the interfaces with regional, na-
Automotive Life Sciences Environmentally
Targeted Development of Growth Areas Friendly Energies roadmaps are the market potential studies as well as the regional re- tional and international insitutes and government administration of-
and Energy Storage search and innovation strategies for intelligent specialization in Thu- fices. We assume tasks of the networks that can be dealt with more
The ThCM is a networked system that: ringia – the RIS3 Thüringen. We analyze the development in growth effectively together.
areas using our own monitoring system. New developments and
>> strengthens existing network clusters and initiates new changes in the business environment are taken into account by 5 | Using Expert Panels
networks if needed in growth areas, constantly updating the roadmaps. This roadmap process is coor-
>> supports the visibility of Thuringia’s clusters and networks, dinated and mediated by our growth area managers. For us, these We offer communication platforms in form of expert panels that
>> increases the innovative power and know-how of relevant roadmaps determine the strategic framework within which we work. deal with high-level, strategically important topics – such as hu-
companies, man resources, internationalization, innovation and technology,
>> encourages cooperative efforts and accompanies them Engineering Plastics and Micro- and 2 | Initiating Projects resource-efficiency. The panels are chaired by one of our growth
if necessary and Ceramics Nanotechnology area managers. The contents of the discussion are decided by the
>> supports international network creation. We focus on strategic topics, function as a contact partner for those participants and are always oriented towards the needs of the Thu-
involved and initiate new projects between them. We monitor finan- ringian economy.
The goal here is to increase the performance and competitiveness cial assistance programs as a way of helping to tap into new sources
of the Thuringian economy and to secure its future sustainability. of financing. To this end, we continuously screen financial assistan- 6 | Intensify Communication
We represent the individual interests of the networks in the clus- ce programs in Germany and at the EU level, and we provide infor-
ters and work closely with them within the parameters of a strate- mation about suitable programs. To ensure that projects can be tar- We use the internet, events and trade fairs to improve the public
gic partnership. get-oriented and successfully placed in the right hands, we identify perception of Thuringia and to improve the position of the state as a
Optics and Green important decision-makers and influencers as well. center of highly productive clusters and networks. We support com-
Measurement and
Promoting the Development of Growth Areas Control Technology Optoelectronics Technology munication between relevant players in the process of developing
3 | Bringing Partners Together growth areas, and we strengthen levels of public awareness about
We contribute to a close partnership cooperation between other them using targeted and public marketing activities.
players as well – especially the Thuringian networks – in promo- We identify potential partners in the development process. Our goal
ting targeted development of network clusters in strategic growth is to bring players together in a common process and to mediate be- Our website www.cluster-thueringen.de/en offers information and
areas and in other relevant sectors in Thuringia in the future. tween them in a results-oriented way. In this way, innovation is sti- news about growth areas, the networks, their activities and success
Contact
mulated, ideas are made accessible and joint decisions are made stories. At our high value flagship and crossover events, we also
and then implemented. At the same time, we function as an infor- support knowledge and information sharing about growth areas
mation platform to create transparency and to continuously make beyond the borders of Thuringia.
1
www.thueringen.de/th6/tmwat/wirtschaft/themenstrategien/trendatlas2020 Food Industry Service Robotics Logistics use of lessons learned.
6 7
Automotive
Growth Area
Automotive
The Company and Technology Database of the State Development is considerably more important for Thuringia’s economy than sta-
Corporation of Thuringia lists about 530 companies (tier-1 compa- tistical data indicate.
nies in core sectors, suppliers and service suppliers) active in this
Strong Research Partner – Ilmenau University
3.85
growth area.
of Technology
The automobile and automobile supplier industry is characterized,
€ bn like many sectors in Thuringia, by a patchwork of smaller compa- The R&D activities of automotive sector companies in Thuringia
nies. 21 companies in the automotive and automotive supplier sec- (especially automotive suppliers) are still small compared to Ger-
Revenues 2012 tor are on the list of the 100 largest companies in Thuringia (see Die many as a whole. This weakness is compensated by significant
100 größten Unternehmen in Thüringen; Helaba/The State Develop- research investments by the public sector. At the center of this is
ment Corporation of Thuringia). These companies are mostly tier- the Ilmenau University of Technology, which specializes in vehicle
2 and tier-3 suppliers. The original equipment manufacturers (OE) technology research. The Thüringer Innovationszentrum Mobilität
15,000
companies in Thuringia include BMW Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, Hako (ThIMo), a center of innovation, supports the move to sustainable
GmbH (Werk Multicar Waltershausen), MDC Power GmbH and OPEL mobility with industry-driven research. Other research facilities,
Eisenach GmbH. The companies in this sector can be found in all most of them working across sectors (in plastics, MSR, manufac-
areas of Thuringia, with higher concentrations in the areas around turing technology) also have close ties to the automotive and auto-
Total number of employees Eisenach, Gotha and the district of Wartburg. motive supplier industry.
The supplier companies cover all segments of the automotive indus- Attractive Education and Training Programs
try delivering modules, systems, subassemblies and spare parts.
Their focus is on the product groups drive trains, chassis, engines Because of its long tradition in automotive manufacturing, Thurin-
and auxiliary drives, body shells, exteriors, interiors and electric gia has a skilled, well educated workforce in this sector. The sta-
31%
instruments and electronics. te offers a wide spectrum of automotive-related study programs
79
– including automotive engineering at the Ilmenau University of
The Sector with the Highest Revenues Technology and the vehicle electronics study program at the Uni-
versity of Applied Sciences Schmalkalden. There are other spe-
Export Quota 2012 According to statistics, the automotive and automotive supplier in- cialized study programs as well, such as engineering, material
Companies with dustry has been the sector in Thuringia with the highest revenues flow and logistics, and even a study program called “Mobility
20 or more for years. About 10 percent of employees working in the manufac- Management.” Detailed information about these companies and
turing industry (“Companies with 20 or more Employees”) work in research facilities can be found in the Company and Technology
employees
this sector. Database of the State Development Corporation of Thuringia, and at
www.virtuelles-automobilthueringen.de.
Companies from the automotive sector are important customers
for many of cross-sectional industries in Thuringia (including the
plas-tics technology and engineering sectors). This is why the struc- The 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas offers in-depth
tural importance of the automotive and automotive supplier industry information about this growth area.
8 Status as of June 2013, Thuringian State Office of Statistics, “Companies with 20 or more Employees” 9
Network
Automotive
automotive thüringen e. V.
Founded on August 29, 2000 by nine Thuringian companies as the The “at” supports its member companies by promoting a regi- Its close networking with so many companies and institutes
Automobilezulieferer Thüringen e.V. (AZT) and now called auto- onal and national exchange of knowledge in topic-related work allows the “at” to bundle – together with other initiatives in
motivethüringen e.V. (“at”), this cluster network has organized groups and product- and process-related competency clusters. the former East Germany – the interests and know-how of its
network partnerships of over 100 Thuringian automotive supplier It analyzes corporate research and development capacities, pro- member companies in the Automotive Cluster Ostdeutsch-
companies. In addition to these, some universities, research in- actively develops technology transfer by using local capactities land (ACOD), which is a joint and extraordinar y platform
stitutions, banks, leasing companies and other service suppliers at technical colleges, universities and at the Thüringer Innovati- for knowledge exchange that is also supported by the VDA
are “at” members as well. onszentrum Mobilität. (German Automobile Manufacturers Association).
New goals defined during a strategic realignment in 2004 – un- To this end, the network uses a host of internal and external com-
der Chairman of the Board Dr.-Ing. Michael Militzer – have sin- munication platforms. These allow for an intensive knowledge
ce been implemented and pushed for ward by the network’s transfer between member companies and between regional, na-
professional management team. The basic strategy of the char- tional and international partners of the State of Thuringia, the
ter – to maintain and improve the competitiveness of Thurin- German Federal Government and the EU. The close collaboration
gia’s automotive industry, to retain automotive jobs and if pos- with the State Development Corporation of Thuringia creates ad-
sible create new jobs – reflects the enormous growth of over ded value when it comes to identifying market developments and
8 billion euros the automotive industry here has experienced new possibilities for investment.
during the last eight years.
automotive thüringen e. V. Phone +49 36920 72720
Michael M. Lison, Project Manager Fax +49 36920 72721
Contact Am Künkelhof 4 office@automotive-thueringen.de
99820 Hörselberg-Hainich/Germany www.automotive-thueringen.de
10 11
Life Sciences
Growth Area
Life Sciences
The Thuringian medical technology industry is one of the federal The medical technology sector represents some 2 percent of all jobs
state‘s largest business sectors by turnover. The Company and Tech- and gross value in the manufacturing industry in Thuringia. Due to
nology Database of the State Development Corporation of Thurin- its close ties to cross-sectional technologies, especially optics, not
52
gia lists a total of ca. 340 medical-technology manufacturers and all of the companies important for the medical technology sector,
suppliers. Many of the companies in the life sciences sector have nor their employees, are registered in the database under “Medical
Profile of the Medical well established global R&D, production and sales structures, with Technology”. Accordingly, their influence on the economy of Thurin-
Technology Sector the lion‘s share going to manufacturers of electro-medical devices. gia may be larger than suggested by the numbers.
Companies of the medical Thuringian companies and R&D facilities in the medical technology
technology sector with sector are concentrated mostly in Jena and in the Ilm district, Saal- Attractive Training Programs
feld-Rudolstadt, Gera-Zeulenroda-Greiz and im the Eichsfeld dis-
20 employees or more
trict. The Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, the University of Applied
Sciences Jena and the Ilmenau University of Technology form the
Interesting Inter-disciplinary Connections basis for securing academic specialists for this sector with study
programs in medicine, biochemistry, biomedical engineering and
4,200
Key activities in Thuringia include infection research and diagno- nutrition science. The vocational training schools in Thuringia com-
stics, biophotonics, implantology, medical technology for ophthal- plete the offer with training programs for laboratory specialists and
mology, medical products for rehabilitation and the production of assistants; along with vocational training in sensor technology and
pharmaceutical substances. Some of these have resulted from in- electronics, as mechatronics technicians and specialists in the fields
Employees ter-disciplinary connections and from using methods from other of microtechnology and precision optics.
technological fields – such as precision engineering, optics and
micro-system technology which find application in the develop- Select companies include:
ment of products for ophthalmology, diagnostics and laboratory >> AEROPHARM GmbH
instrumentation. >> ALERE Technologies GmbH
Export Quota >> Analytik Jena AG
54%
During the last 15 years, a very active biotechnology sector has >> Bauerfeind AG
emerged in Thuringia, most of it red biotech. The biotechnolo- >> Bayer Weimar GmbH und Co. KG
gies produced in the federal state are future-oriented and have >> Carl Zeiss Meditec AG
led to amazing developments especially in research, such as func- >> Königsee Implantate GmbH
15
tional genome research, in active ingredients for therapeutics, pro- >> Otto Bock Mobility Solutions GmbH/
bes and markers, miniaturized analysis systems, in equipment en- Otto Bock Manufacturing Königsee GmbH
gineering, interfacial and surface functionalization, and in bioinfor- >> Wacker Biotech GmbH
Companies with 20 matics. In addition, Thuringia possesses special expertise in the
employees or more
Profile – area of diagnosis and therapy of sepsis. Compared to the manu- Detailed information about these companies and research facili-
facturing industry in Thuringia, the biotech sector is still compa- ties can be found in the Company and Technology Database of the
Biotechnology
1,900
ratively small but features well established and profitable compa- State Development Corporation of Thuringia.
nies. Among these are companies such as Wacker Biotech GmbH,
Medical Technology as of June 2103, Thuringia Office of Statistics,
“Companies with 20 Employees or more” in 2012
known for its priority technology for the affordable production of The 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas offers in-depth
Employees Biotechnology: Company and Technology Databank of the State therapeutic proteins. information about this growth area.
Development Corporation of Thuringia (companies with 20 employees or more)
12 13
Network
Life Sciences
medways e. V.
Short Profile Goals and Strategy Current Projects >> Initiator and co-organizer of the Bundes Zukunftskonferenz
Medizintechnik 2009 in Jena
The medways e.V. (formerly OpthalmoInnovation Thüringen) won According to its charter, medways orients its goals and strategic Collaborative research projects: >> Co-organizer of the DGBMT Jahrestagung 2012 in Jena
a competition held by the German Federal Government for “Com- alignment based on the challenges facing its member companies in >> Molecular diagnosis of the AMD/MODIAMD >> Responsible for the Thuringia community stand at the world’s
petency Centers of Medical Technology” in 1999. During its early the future-oriented medical technology sector. The medways network >> Development of high quality microalgae-based products largest medical technology trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany
years, the competency center focused on research projects for seeks to: (AlgaeStream) >> medways is sponsor of the Haus des Sehens in Jena
ophthalmology while the sponsoring organization developed >> Strengthen the competitiveness of leading medical technology Startup Companies >> Awarded bronze by the European Cluster Excellence Initiative
quickly into an expert contact partner for the medical technology companies internationally >> Medways accompanies startups in implementing quality Label Certifikate GER068201202KOMO185
companies and research facilities in Thuringia. >> Improve patient care with innovative products management systems to meet DN ISO 13485 standards and
>> Accelerate innovation processes in the product certification process Cross-Sectional Collaboration and Networking in and
Today medways is an association for the growth area medical >> Better align R&D to demand International Activities outside of Thuringia
technology/biotechnology whose member companies, research >> Continuously improve the business environment >> Collaboration with the Central Hospital Wuhan, China (with
institutes and universities generate innovative products and >> Improve the professional staff situation and investment student and doctor exchange programs, clinical studies) The medways network is regionally networked across sectors with
processes for treating age-related diseases for different appli- activities in Thuringia Training and Education Activities OptoNet, PolymerMat, MNT, “at,” SolarInput, ELMUG and FerMeth.
cation areas in medicine. >> Establish a coherent innovation policy and derive >> Continuously running program Depending on the proximity of area and expertise, collaboration may
recommendations from this be very close.
The medways network supports and promotes this process Highlights and Success Stories
through the The strategic implementation of these goals rests with the medways On a national level, medways conducts an intensive information exch-
>> medways service Center modules (Service Center, Research Center, Academy). >> medways has organized and carried out collaborative ange with the industry association SPECTARIS, works closely with
>> medways research Center projects valued at 35 million euros the German Association for Biomedical Technology (DGBMT) and is a
>> medways Academy Focus >> Transfer rate of research results ca. 90 % member of the German Medical Technology Alliance (GMTA).
Since 2008, medways has established a service company to take In an extremely complex environment, innovative medical products are
care of its own business operations. created, approved by authorities and subsequently sold both national-
ly and internationally. medways e. V. Phone +49 3641 87610-40
Dipl. Ing. V. Wiechmann, Managing Director Fax +49 3641 87610-50
Contact
The focus of medways’s projects
and the consulting services include improving: Keßlerstrasse 21b info@medways.eu
>> The competitiveness of member companies
07745 Jena/Germany www.medways.eu
>> Overall health care performance
>> The innovative power of research
14 15
Environmentally Friendly Energies and Energy Storage
Growth Area
Environmentally Industrial production here – which includes suppliers of compo-
nents, engineering services, and end product manufacturing – fo-
cuses on the areas of electric and thermal energy storage. Some
Friendly Energies and
of the manufacturers of end products are also active in project ma-
nagement and the installation of thermal energy storage solutions.
According to the 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas, the importance
Energy Storage
of this growth area for Thuringia can be outlined by the
following points:
>> In Thuringia there are a few large photovoltaic companies,
but they are the exception in what is mostly a sector defined
by smaller companies
>> High levels of gross value creation per employee
>> There is a strong commitment of Thuringia’s photovoltaic
companies to R&D and to cooperative efforts with universities
and research institutes
>> Well supported research activities at universities and research
institutes
230
A key area of growth in Thuringia is the solar industry. Nearly every Outstanding Research Environment for Solar Technology
second renewable energy company works in this sector. Other areas
with high potential for growth include, with 45 manufacturers, the The close cooperation between the research institutes and com-
bioenergy sector, along with storage technologies and components panies in Thuringia constantly improves the manufacturing pro-
Companies for wind power and power plant technology. cesses of solar technology components. Thuringian research insti-
tutes support companies in this sector with research and product
High Value Creation by Manufacturers development. A lot of work is being done at the universities and in-
stitutes in Erfurt, Jena, Ilmenau and Rudolstadt primarily research
Despite tough challenges from a constantly changing European pho- the areas of crystalline silicon and thin-film technology and orga-
tovoltaic scene, the Thuringian photovoltaic sector is of national im- nic photovoltaics.
9,900
portance in Germany, with the entire value creation chain for pho-
tovoltaics present. In Thuringia, manufacturing and research are The entire Thuringian renewable energy sector (called ThEEN e.V.) is
being conducted in all areas relevant for future success on the glo- currently being planned. This organization will support the growth
bal market. While the focus is placed on the area of silicon techno- of renewable energies, especially focusing on supporting compa-
Employees logy, Thuringian companies and institutes also manufacture and re- nies with their business activities. In particular, companies and re-
search in the fields of crystalline technology and thin-film technology. search institutes are to be connected even more closely in develo-
ping new products, while public acceptance of the move towards
Thuringian photovoltaic companies work with partners in the en- renewable energies is to be increased.
gineering and plant construction sector in Thuringia to realize and
automate their production. The proximity of these companies cre- Select companies in the sector in Thuringia:
ates the best prerequisites for a partnership based on trust, which >> asola Quantum Solarpower AG
33%
is especially important whendeveloping and implementing new and >> Masdar PV
innovative products. >> H.M. Heizkörper GmbH & Co. KG
>> Meuselwitz Guss Eisengiesserei GmbH
The Thuringian wind energy sector focuses on companies active in >> Bachmann Monitoring GmbH
Export Quota project management, installation and operation as well as services. >> Schachtbau Nordhausen GmbH
In the area of production of wind power plants, Thuringian compa-
nies primarily supply construction elements or software for such Detailed information about these companies and research facili-
wind power plants. In the bioenergy segment, value creation occurs ties can be found in the Company and Technology Database of the
primarily in facility management areas but also in block heat power State Development Corporation of Thuringia.
plant construction and their components.
The 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas offers in-depth
information about this growth area.
Source – “Number of Companies and Employees” section of the Company and Technology Databank of the State Development
16 Corporation of Thuringia (as of July 2013). Export quota according to the 2020 Thuringian Trendatlas (final report March 2011). 17
Network
Environmentally Friendly Energies and Energy Storage
SolarInput e. V.
For this, the SolarInput network serves as the necessary communi- SolarInput is member of the following advisory boards:
cation and cooperation platform for the Thuringian solar economy >> Thüringer Wirtschafts- und Innovationsrat
and is responsible for cluster management. >> Thüringer Energiebeirat
>> Stiftung Baukultur
Key Activities and Current Projects >> Beirat der Thüringer Energie- und GreenTech-Agentur
>> Cluster Council des Thüringer ClusterManagements
Focus of the SolarInput network’s activities is the development of >> Cluster Board des Thüringer ClusterManagements
a business environment suitable for strengthening Thuringia’s po-
sition as a center for the solar sector through collaboration with Collaboration and Networking outside Thuringia
all renewable energy associations, establishing regional networks
across sectors with partners from different fields of business, pro- The SolarInput network is involved in numerous partnerships
moting and educating young staff and making information availab- and pursues cooperative efforts with the following institutions:
le to the involved actors and the public. SolarInput also functions >> Agentur für Erneuerbare Energien (AEE)
as a consultant to politics, public administration, public institutions >> Akademie für Raumforschung und Landesplanung (ARL)
and associations on questions concerning business and energy. >> Bayern Innovativ – Cluster Energietechnik
>> Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien e. V. (BEE)
The network also organizes the international series of scientific con- >> Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e. V. (BSW-Solar)
ventions Bauhaus. SOLAR. These conventions deal with innovative >> Cluster Chemie/Kunststoffe Mitteldeutschland
Short Profile Working Teams and aesthetic options of integrating solar power systems into buil- >> CoOPTICS GmbH
dings, offering a platform for inter-disciplinary dialogue between ar- >> Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen – DGNB e. V.
The non-profit association SolarInput e. V was founded on August 22, SolarInput has working teams with the following topics: chitects, planners, construction engineers, technicians, designers >> European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
2003 with the goal of representing the Thuringian cluster of solar >> State market/innovative solar applications in Thuringia and representatives from the solar technology, real estate and fi- >> Industrielles Netzwerk Erneuerbare Energien Sachsen (EESA)
technology companies, to manage and further develop the cluster. >> Internationalization nancial sectors. At these conventions, the Bauhaus. SOLAR AWARD >> Kompetenznetzwerk dezentrale Energietechnologien e. V.
The focus of the association is bundling, coordination and develo- >> Personnel, securing skilled staff and promoting young staff for youth is granted to students and young graduates in architec- (deENet)
ping existing structures and expertise in Thuringia’s solar techno- >> Label development ture, urban planning or design for creative – but primarily innova- >> OptoNet e. V.
logy sector as well as networking the industry within and outside >> Energy storage (at and with Material innovativ Thüringen) tive – solutions for integrating solar energy systems into buildings >> PolymerMat e. V. – Kunststoffcluster Thüringen
of Thuringia, also beyond the sector. and the landscape. >> Regiosolar e. V.
Goals and Strategy >> SEMI PV Group
Member Companies The SolarInput network regularly conducts trade events with part- >> Solarvalley Mitteldeutschland e. V.
The SolarInput network has the following goals: ners, such as the Neue Geschäftsmodelle – die PV-Industrie post >> Silicon Saxony e. V.
The SolarInput association currently has 61 company members. The- >> Promoting a business environment that allows further develop- EEG forum in 2013 with the Ostbayerisches Technologie-Transfer-In- >> Thüringer Energie- und GreenTech-Agentur (ThEGA)
se include manufacturers, service providers, research facilities, uni- ment of Thuringia as a solar technology location of choice stitut e. V. (OTTI). >> Thüringer Agentur Für Fachkräftegewinnung (ThAFF)
versities, technical colleges and local municipalities. Regular mee- >> Creating and expanding a platform to access the solar >> Verband Deutscher Architekten- und Ingenieurvereine e. V. (DAI)
tings offer a forum for an inter-disciplinary exchange of information. technology sector in Thuringia SolarInput represents itself and its members at leading trade fairs, >> Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e .V. (VDMA-Ost)
>> Establishing regional networks with partners from different like the Thuringian community stand at the Intersolar Europe show >> Wirtschaftsinitiative für Mitteldeutschland GmbH
SolarInput’s honorary (and voluntary) Board of Directors: fields of business outside of Thuringia (starting in 2009), guiding international interest towards the Thu-
>> Association Chairman: Dr. Hubert Aulich, HAV GmbH >> Supporting the innovative potential and precompetitive ringian solar industry and of course Thuringia a business location.
>> Association Vice Chairman: Dr. Peter Frey, Solarvalley research in Thuringia
Mitteldeutschland e. V. >> Improving the business environment for R&D in the
>> Association Vice Chairman: Prof. Dr. Dieter Sell, Thüringer photovoltaic and solar heating segments
Energie and GreenTech Agentur >> Promoting young staff and training for actors through education
>> Board Member: Dr. Gudrun Andrä, IPHT Institut für measures and workshops
Photonische Technologien e. V. >> Supporting and implementing demonstration projects in the
>> Board Member: Dieter Ortmann, maxx solar &energie photovoltaic and solar heating sectors
GmbH & Co. >> Public relations work to embed solar energy as a natural
>> Board Member: Dr. Matthias Peschke, Masdar PV GmbH part of the power supply landscape SolarInput e. V. Phone +49 361 427-6850
>> Board member: Stefan Thiel, Bosch Solar Energy AG >> Making information available for actors and the public
Jana Liebe, Managing Director Fax +49 361 427-6854
Operative Management
SolarInput’s headquarters are in the city of Erfurt. Managing Director
The network has defined four strategic areas for development:
Making Thuringia a center for solar manufacturing, solar research
Contact Konrad-Zuse-Str. 14 info@solarinput.de
99099 Erfurt/Germany www.solarinput.de
of the association is Jana Liebe. and solar education; and domestic market development.
18 19Engineering
Growth Area
Outstanding Conditions for Research
Engineering A close cooperation with outstanding R&D facilities that are long es-
tablished in Thuringia (three universities and two business-oriented
research institutes) allows the appropriate scientific approach for the
development of innovative products and technologies for compa-
nies based in Thuringia. To intensify business-relevant research for
Thuringia’s engineering sector, the Thüringer Zentrum für Maschinen-
bau (ThZM), a center for engineering, was founded in Januray 2013.
The ThZM focuses on:
>> Process technologies relevant for the engineering sector
>> Precision technologies
>> Materials and coating technologies
>> Power tools and power molds
>> Quality assurance in the manufacturing process
A Wide Spectrum Selected Thuringian Engineering sector companies:
181
>> Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH (manufacturer of state-of-the-art
A key activity of the engineering sector in Thuringia is the manu- machining tools)
facturing of machining tools, especially metalworking tools. Also >> Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH (one the world’s
playing a very important role in the engineering sector here is the leading manufacturers of plastic injection molding machines)
Companies with 20 production of special machines as well as the manufacture of pre- >> Eisenwerk Arnstadt GmbH (leading European supplier of cast-
cision tools, engines, pumps, bearings, transmissions and instru- iron brake shoes)
employees or more mentation. Thuringia also covers wide spectrum of products in the >> Feinmess Suhl Gmbh (Thuringia’s innovation prize winner for a
metal production, metal processing and metal working sectors, and digital gear-toothed gauge for internal gears)
it is involved throughout the entire range of manufacturing proces- >> Herwig Bohrtechnik Schmalkalden GmbH (Thuringia’s innovati-
ses, especially metal processing. Core competencies include laser on prize winner for a shear blade with a blade-changing system)
18,000
technologies for welding, surfacing and hardening. The growth area >> Raumag-Janich Systemtechnik GmbH (leading European supplier
engineering is the third-largest employer in the manufacturing in- of special instrumentation for flue gases)
dustry in Thuringia. It contributes about 10.4 percent to the state’s >> SAMAG Saalfelder Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH (Thuringia’s
37%
gross added value. innovation winner for an electric high performance drive)
Employees >> Viega GmbH & Co.KG (global leader for instant-freeze molding
It is a growth area with above average jobs creation and gross ad- technology for pipework systems)
ded value creation. The Company and Technology Database of the
Export Quota 2012 State Development Corporation of Thuringia lists a total of ca. 670 Selected research facilities:
companies (first-tier, suppliers and service suppliers) in this growth >> Ilmenau University of Technology
area. In Thuringia, engineering plays a key role as a necessary basis >> University of Applied Sciences Jena
for other sectors and in particular connects information technology, >> University of Applied Sciences Schmalkalden
electronics and optics. >> Society for Production Engineering and Development
Schmalkalden (GFE e.V.)
Attractive Training and Education Programs >> Günter Köhler Institute for Jointing Technology and
3.05
Materials Testing (IFW)
With their engineering study programs, the universities in Thurin-
€ bn gia continue the state’s reputation for being technologically ori- Detailed information about these companies and research facili-
ented. Three universities and a state-owned vocational training ties can be found in the Company and Technology Database of the
Revenues 2012 academy offer study programs for engineering and further rele- State Development Corporation of Thuringia.
vant fields relevant. Young people are trained to be toolmakers and
moldmakers, mechatronic specialists, CNC programmers and com-
puter programmers as well as mechanics. Thuringia plays a leading The 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas offers in-depth
role in training manufacturing technology specialists. information about this growth area.
20 Status as of June 2013; Thuringia State Office for Statistics “Companies with 20 or more Employees” 21Network
FerMeTh – Fertigungstechnik Engineering
Metallbearbeitung Thüringen
Short Profile the entire value creation chain of the metal processing, metal wor- ral disadvantages of small and mid-sized companies to improve their ring companies with their partners in business, science and politics
king and engineering sectors. Apart from well known Thuringian competitiveness. This applies especially to R&D, cooperative efforts alongside with commitees with members from business associations
The industry cluster FerMeTh unites companies of the metal proces- tool manufacturers such as Sandvik Tooling Deutschland GmbH in manufacturing, marketing and sales as well as securing skilled per- and boards etc. will continue to be pursued.
sing and metal working sectors, engineering companies and their and HERWIG Bohrtechnik Schmalkalden GmbH, there are also sonnel. FerMeTh encourages R&D projects (joint research projects),
suppliers, along with universities and research institutes from Thu- globally active machine tool manufacturers such as SAMAG Saalfel- coordinates these and supports the partners in finding the appropri- Key Activities and Current Projects
ringia that are active in the manufacturing industry. der Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH and service suppliers to engineering ate collaborators. The network cluster brokers collaborations for ma-
companies such as KERN Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Nagelschmiede, nufacturing companies, shared marketing measures such as trade When implementing key projects, the FerMeTh network orients its
FerMeTh was founded on January 1, 2009 as an initiative of the Sta- Metallwaren GmbH and KMFMesstechnik- und Verwaltungs-GmbH. fair stands, company presentations and websites. Besides cluster-in- activities on the interests of its members and the need for strong
te Development Corporation of Thuringia, the Chamber of Com- ternal meetings of cooperating companies, FerMeTh also organizes sector growth.
merce and Industry of Südthüringen and the Gesellschaft für Ferti- Also included in FerMeTh network are tool and mold manufactu- trade-specific company forums and expert discussions as platforms
gungstechnik und Entwicklung Schmalkalden e. V. (GFE). This was rers (such as Haseltal Werkzeugbau and Kunststofftechnik GmbH) for new collaborations with interested companies in the sector and Certain actitivies such as
preceded by a 2 year lead-in period during which corporate interests as well as the sector‘s industrial customers such as Otto Bock Ma- as a way to encourage R&D networking. The network cluster focuses >> manufacturing processes that conserve energy and resources
were bundled and cooperative alliances initiated – carried out by a nufacturing Königsee GmbH. Furthermore, the cluster organization not only on the organization of measures for subject-specific vocati- >> integrating sensors and actuators into tool systems
core team made up of employees from major companies along with unites companies in the measurement and control technology sec- onal training apart from the focus points securing skilled personnel. >> quality assurance in manufacturing
the initiators mentioned above. The member companies of the Fer- tor and precision technology firms. It also encompasses educatio- >> product and process simulation
MeTh collaborate based on a contractual cooperation. The organiz- nal institutions and serves as a central contact partner for questions In the future, the FerMeTh will concentrate, apart from the focus
ation’s office is affiliated on a project basis with the non-profit, bu- about vocational training and securing skilled personnel. points mentioned above, on the implementation and contribution to play a central role here. By applying these points, steps in the ma-
siness-oriented research institute GFE. The FerMeTh currently (as of recommendations for action in the Trend Atlas 2020 for even closer nufacturing process can be optimized by choosing the appropriate
July 2013) consists of 18 members. Goals and Strategy networking of engineering sector companies both among themselves manufacturing systems, tools and processing parameters.
and with cross-sectional technologies. Based on these recommenda-
The cluster network is currently expanding it‘s sphere of influen- FerMeTh is a platform for broad and comprehensive collaboration be- tions for action, the goal of FerMeTh is to actively contribute to sha-
ce is extended by the 135 members of the GFE from all over Ger- tween member companies with the goal of sustaining and increasing ping the roadmap for further exploiting the growth area engineering
many and surrounding European countries. A core quality of the market opportunities and member competitiveness in a regional and sector. Due to the synergies available between the metal working and
cluster network is that it brings together companies working in increasingly global marketplace. FerMeTh helps to eliminate structu- engineering sectors, developing the cluster into a network of enginee-
22 23Network
FerMeTh – Fertigungstechnik Engineering
Metallbearbeitung Thüringen
Current Projects Highlights and Success Stories zes with the GFE, the University of Applied Science Schmalkalden FerMeTh continues to focus on regional cooperations in the growth
and the VDMA – which attracts 200 exhibitors from the above men- areas of Thuringia in order to strengthen and further expand the per-
FerMeTh has co-initiated highly innovative projects in the FerMeTh is a relatively new cluster network. In just three years, it tion sectors. formance of the sector in Thuringia and the local system expertise.
following areas: has achieved such successes as successfully completing and ne- Experienced partners in these efforts include not only research insti-
>> Developing layering with optimized friction coefficient wly initiating research and network projects with partners from bu- Collaboration and Networking outside Thuringia tutes and university research facilities, but in particular TMWAT, the
>> Developing adaptive image-processing methods for optical siness and science in Thuringia and beyond. In particular, its quick State Development Corporation of Thuringia as well as the various
real-time process control establishment of a central networking office for this sector needs Not least due to this sector‘s close linkage with other sectors in Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Chambers of Trades.
>> Technological development for internal combustion engines to be mentioned. Among other things, direct manufacturing coope- Thuringia, FerMeTh cooperates with other Thuringian sector-based
>> Developing tools for processing high-tensile materials rations have been established in Thuringia, which have had a po- networks such as PolymerMat e. V., OptoNet e. V., medways e. V. An even wider field of activity in the future will be the coordination
>> Developing new tool systems sitive and long-term effect on the corporate landscape of this sec- of company networks on a national and international level, also in-
tor, on the gross value and employment structure of the companies The focus of this collaboration is the initiation and coordination of cluding business associations such as the VDMA. Also planned is
Another highlight are FerMeTh‘s initiatives in establishing wider net- involved. company networks. FerMeTh brokers regional cooperations throug- an increase in the inclusion of R&D institutes and facilities in the
works beyond Thuringia‘s borders. Examples of these initiatives hout the value chain, especially on a regional level, but also natio- manufacturing technology sector throughout Germany and Europe.
include the NEMO Netzwerke (networks management and organi- A highlight of the FerMeTh was organizing the Thüringer Branchen- nally and internationally with regions where the engineering and au- Here the actors involved can also take advantage of the wide-rea-
zation, BMWi), ADAPTOOLS (intelligent tools and machine compo- tag Metall – Wachstumsfeld Maschinenbau in September 2011. At tomobile manufacturing sectors are growing – such as cooperative ching experience of Thuringia’s universities and research facilities.
nents) with 9 partners from Thuringia, CoatingTeC (coating and sur- this event, major players of this sector deliberated on the succes- efforts with the regions around St. Petersburg and Kasan.
face engineering for tools, elements and machine components) with ses achieved so far and specified concrete measures for tapping
7 partners from Thuringia and since 2012 the new network Sinter- the sector‘s growth potential. This potential and FerMeTh‘s role
MaT (applications for innovative sintered materials) with 11 part- here are also clearly laid out in the 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas which
ners from Thuringia. identify increased networking activities of companies as elemen-
tary. The cluster organization is also coordinating preparations for
Various projects dealing with innovative coating technologies have the Thüringer Zentrum für Maschinenbau (ThZM) which aims to es-
been successful in making manufacturing processes more efficient tablish an even closer network of business and science, bringing
(for example a collaborative project with 8 Thuringian network part- together existing expertise in order to grow the sector even further.
ners in the area of optimizing plastic injection molding tools with a FerMeTh Office Phone +49 3683 6900-19
project value of 2 million euros). Other projects have been conduc- Other highlights include FerMeTh’s successful exhibitions at nati-
Dipl.-Ing. (FH) Benjamin Hofmann Fax +49 3683 6900-16
Contact
ted in lightweight construction and substituting conventional ma- onal and international trade fairs. The cluster organization, for in-
terials in engineering applications. Projects have also been initia- stance, exhibited at the Thuringian community stand at the 2013 Näherstiller Str. 10 b.hofmann@gfe-net.de
ted for integrating measurement systems into manufacturing and Hannover Messe Industrie for the fifth time. Other success stories
98574 Schmalkalden/Germany www.fermeth.de
tool systems to shorten the process chain and hybridization of pro- of the FerMeTh include international expert conferences such as
cess steps. the bi-annual Schmalkalder Werkzeugtagung – which it co-organ-
24 25Plastics and Ceramics
Growth Area
Plastics and lightweight construction in the automotive sector and the develop-
ment of fiber-reinforced plastics. Other cross-sectional technologies
Ceramics
include collaboration with micro- and nanotechnology and optics
as well as fields of application in green, information and communi-
cation technology.
Promising Research Projects
Current research projects in the plastics and ceramics sectors iran-
ge from energy storage (new kinds of batteries) over laser develop-
ment, to new types of materials for medical technology applications
(implants, sensors). Aside from the Friedrich Schiller University in
Jena, the Ilmenau University of Technology, the Fraunhofer Institute
for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering (IOF), the Fraunhofer
In the growth area plastics, Thuringia covers the entire value cre- Institute für Ceramic Technology and Systems (IKTS) in Hermsdorf,
ation chain – from plastic production to plastic compounding and the Institute for Photonic Technologies e. V. (IPHT), other research
177
processing, with plastic processing clearly the most relevant. The institutes such as the Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics
plastics sector produces some of the highest revenues in the manu- Research e.V., the Textile Research Institute Thüringen-Vogtland
facturing industry in Thuringia. The Company and Technology Data- e. V. (TITV), Innovent e. V. the Institute for Bioprocessing and Ana-
Profile of the base of the State Development Corporation of Thuringia lists ca. 540 lytical Measuring Techniques e. V. (iba) and the University of Ap-
Plastics Sector Companies with 20 companies (first-tier and plastic user companies, suppliers and ser- plied Sciences Jena are also active in this area.
vice suppliers) in this growth area. Most plastic users are in the con-
or more employees
struction and automotive industries. The plastics sector in Thuringia Selected Companies and Research Facilities
for the most part only started after 1990; it grew disproportionately
and has now become a primary characteristic of the growth area. Thuringia offers a wide spectrum of mid-sized companies working in
The leading cluster network in this growth area for plastics techno- material manufacturing, refinement and processing.
logy companies is the PolymerMat e. V. Kunststoffcluster Thüringen.
13,900
Selected companies and research facilities:
>35%
In the smaller ceramics/ceramic glass growth area, ceramics and >> Chemiewerk Bad Köstritz GmbH
ceramic glass are being developed and produced for a large num- >> FCT Ingenieurkeramik GmbH
ber of technical applications in the medical technology and auto- >> FKT Formenbau und Kunststofftechnik GmbH
Employees motive sectors, among other. The ceramics sector has a long tra- >> Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH
dition and contributes to Thuringia is perceived from outside the >> Grafe Advanced Polymers Thüringen
Export Quota 2012
state‘s outside perception. The Company and Technology Databa- >> IBU-tec advanced materials AG
(excluding plastic packaging)
se of the State Development Corporation of Thuringia lists some 35 >> j-fiber GmbH
ceramics-sector companies (tier-one and user companies, suppliers >> Leuchtstoffwerk Breitungen GmbH
and service suppliers). >> Rauschert GmbH Technische Keramik und Kunststoff-Formteile
>> TRIDELTA GmbH
18
Companies with 20
Plastics and ceramics hold a key position in the development of
new fields of application. The know-how in Thuringia’s materials
sector is growing dramatically in specialist networks, the respecti-
>> VITRON Spezialwerkstoffe GmbH
>> Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems
IKTS, Hermsdorf branch of the Institute
employees or more ve sector clusters and in the communication platform Material in- >> Thuringian Institute for Textile and Plastics Research (TITK)
2.44
novativ THÜRINGEN. Here, companies work closely with research
790
facilities in Thuringia to create worldwide innovations such as fun- Detailed information about these companies and research facili-
Profile of the € bn ctional surface coatings. ties can be found in the Company and Technology Database of the
Ceramics Sector State Development Corporation of Thuringia.
Employees Revenues 2012 High Potential
0.14 bn
Ceramics and (glass) ceramic materials show great promise for in-
€ novative approaches in a great number of application possibilities.
Revenues 2012 For plastics, one may mention the technological trends in current The 2020 Thuringia Trendatlas offers in-depth
technology towards plastic-based, energy and and resource-saving information about this growth area.
Status as of June 2013; Thuringia State Office of Statistics, “Companies with 20 Employees or more”
26 27You can also read
