The SME faces numerous challenges in digital transformation and on the journey towards data spaces and data ecosystems. To address these challenges collectively, the Next Level SME initiative hosted by the first SME Days as part of the autumn conference of Plattform Industrie 4.0 at ARENA2036 in Stuttgart. During the event members showcased initial collaborative successes, such as in data management and the calculation of carbon footprints, where SCHUNK also played an active role.
To effectively implement the many promising approaches, broad participation is essential. Henrik A. Schunk encouraged attendees with his keynote, “Next Level SME – On the path to becoming a digital champion 2030,“ outlining visions and strategies for the SME’s digital future. He emphasized: „To prepare for participation in data space ecosystems, medium-sized companies must learn from one another, and share their experiences with data.”
The event featured presentations and panel discussions on topics such as data economy, Manufacturing-X, and sustainability. In breakout sessions, participants had the opportunity to explore practical subjects in greater depth, including AI quick wins, data management, and tokenization in mechanical engineering. Dr. Martin May, Director Technology & Innovation Management at SCHUNK, contributed his expertise in a discussion on the practical application of AI in production, which he co-moderated with Stephan Hamm from SmartFactoryKL. The day concluded with a presentation of the results and a final discussion. The strong interest and high level of engagement from participants highlighted the importance of this exchange for the digital future of the SME.
The "Next Level SME" initiative is part of the digital strategy spearheaded by Germany’s Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and Education and research (BMBF). It was launched by Henrik A. Schunk, Chairman of Plattform Industrie 4.0 and the Chairman of the Board of SCHUNK SE & Co. KG, to provide as many medium-sized companies as possible with an opportunity to collaboratively tackle the challenges of digitalization. Under the motto “by the SME, for the SME,“ the initiative offers a platfrom for exchanging best practices and innovative ideas, which are further developed in joint workshops. A key focus is on leveraging artificial intelligence to achieve quick wins and unlock new business opportunities. The initiative prepares the SME for integrating digital technologies and participating in shared data spaces like Manufacturing-X.