SMEs are facing numerous challenges in the digital transformation and on the path to the establishment of data rooms and data ecosystems. In order to solve these problems together, the Next Level Mittelstand initiative hosted the first Mittelstandstag (SME Day), which took place as part of the Industry 4.0 platform's fall conference at ARENA2036 in Stuttgart. Here, the members presented their first joint successes, for instance in the area of data management or the determination of the CO2 footprint, in which SCHUNK was also actively involved.
In order to effectively implement the numerous promising approaches, broad participation is required. Henrik A. Schunk motivated the participants with his presentation entitled "Next Level Mittelstand - On the path to becoming a digital champion 2030" and outlined visions and strategies for the digital future of SMEs. He emphasized: "To make themselves fit for participation in data room ecosystems, SMEs need to learn from one another and share their experiences with data".
The event included presentations and panel discussions on topics such as the data economy, Manufacturing-X and sustainability. In breakout sessions, participants were able to delve deeper into practice-oriented topics, including AI quick wins, data management and tokenization in mechanical engineering. Dr. Martin May, Director Technology & Innovation Management at SCHUNK, shared his experience in a discussion on the specific application of AI in production, which he moderated alongside Stephan Hamm of SmartFactoryKL. The day ended with a presentation of the results and a final discussion. The lively interest and high level of commitment of the participants underlined the importance of this exchange for the digital future of SMEs.
The "Next Level Mittelstand" initiative is part of the digital offensive of the Federal Ministries BMWK and BMBF. It was founded by Henrik A. Schunk, Chairman of the Industry 4.0 platform and the Board of Directors of SCHUNK SE & Co. KG, with a view to creating an opportunity for as many SMEs as possible to work together in tackling the challenges of digitalization. Under the motto "By SMEs, for SMEs", it offers a platform for the exchange of best practices and innovative ideas. These are further developed in joint workshops. One point of focus is the use of artificial intelligence to realize quick wins and open up new business opportunities. The initiative prepares SMEs for the integration of digital technologies and participation in shared data spaces such as Manufacturing-X.