Automatica 2008: New Markets for Automation Devices in Germany

Berlin (ots) - The German machine-building and engineering
industries are enjoying record numbers and its robotics and
automation sector is one of its strongest sub-segments. The German
market was the focus of a business breakfast entitled "Meet Who's
Making the Future" on June 11th, hosted by Invest in Germany. It took
place during the Automatica 2008 trade fair in Munich, Germany and
featured guest speakers from the electronics and photovoltaics (PV)
sectors, two growing application industries for automation
technologies.

Robots are quickly becoming a growing sub-segment of the German
engineering industry. In 2007, turnover for robots increased 22%. One
growth area is the PV sector. It is essential for PV companies to
bring costs down. Therefore they have a strong need for automation.
Since Germany is the world's largest PV market, the country is a
natural choice for automation companies.

PV was the focus of Dagmar Vogt's presentation. She is managing
director of ib vogt GmbH. The Berlin-based company offers project
management and engineering services for factory design in the PV
industry. Her presentation titled "Growth Sector Photovoltaic
Industry" noted that PV is a growing industry and needs automation
technologies to reduce costs and achieve "grid-parity." She added:
"trends and challenges of the solar sector offer countless chances
for the supplying industry. With intelligent solutions it can become
an important partner in supporting the growth and professionalization
of the solar sector."

Stamping technology is another growing market for applications of
automation technologies. Thorsten Hepp, Marketing & Sales Manager at
LEONARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG, a producer of hot stamping
technology, discussed industry developments in RFID antenna
technology. Hepp explained how to maximize economic benefits from
RFID applications. He argued, "The higher price of the RFID tag, the
higher must be the resultant economic benefit from the application."

Germany's research landscape is a major attraction for foreign
investors. Martin Hägele, head of the Robotic Systems Department at
Fraunhofer IPA, a leading German research institute located in
Stuttgart argued in his presentation that robots and automation "will
increasingly contribute to competitiveness in manufacturing." This
will be achieved via the cost reductions resulting from increased
automated processes. IPA is a forerunner in service robots in Germany
with respect to both market studies and system as well as component
development.

Invest in Germany is the inward investment promotion agency of the
Federal Republic of Germany. It provides investors with comprehensive
support from site selection to the implementation of investment
decisions.

Originaltext: Invest in Germany
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