Mechanical Engineering in Thuringia

Mechanical engineering is the fastest-growing industry in Thuringia – despite increased competition. This shows: Companies find the best conditions in Thuringia to create innovations and establish internationally successful products and services on the market. By implementing automation concepts, Thuringian companies succeed in maintaining their leading position in global competition in the future.

Overview

Thuringia offers excellent growth opportunities for companies that want to get started with classic mechanical engineering applications or state-of-the-art automation technology and mechatronics. Renowned market and technology leaders have relied on the Free State for many years. Attractive customers, suppliers and research institutes can be found in the immediate vicinity, particularly in the optics, medical technology and automotive sectors. Thanks to its central location, Thuringia is also an ideal base for offering comprehensive on-site services.

Data and Facts

more than 400 Companies
approx. 18,000 employees
3.1 billion euros Revenue
42.8 percent Export share
50,000 students, of which around 19,000 in engineering degree programs
attractive customers, suppliers and cooperation partners in close proximity

Production focus areas

Core competencies in the fields:

Laser technology, rapid tooling, robotics, additive manufacturing, machining technology, metalworking, materials technology and textile processing

Special machine construction in the areas:

Automation technology, modern tool and mold making, software and hardware

Specialization areas in the fields:

Precision and micromechanics, precision parts, mechatronics, automation/machine learning, assistive robotics, service robotics, MSR and sensor technology

Skilled workers
In Thuringia, mechanical engineers can draw on an excellent pool of skilled workers – from highly trained specialists in various technical professions to highly qualified engineers and software developers.
Academic Education
Thuringia's technically oriented universities are continuously continuing the state's long engineering tradition. In the winter semester 2018/2019 alone, a total of around 1,400 students were enrolled in the mechanical engineering degree program. TU Ilmenau and HS Schmalkalden once again achieved top positions in this subject in the university ranking of the weekly newspaper "DIE ZEIT" and the Center for University Development (CHE).
Selected degree programs:
Technical University of Ilmenau
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
- Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
- Mechanical Engineering
Duale Hochschule Gera-Eisenach
University of Applied Sciences Nordhausen
- Automation and Electronics Development
- Mechanical Engineering
Mehnert Lab Erfurt
The idea of the Mehnert Lab is to give more space to practical experience in handling special machines. That is why, in addition to modern media, the original machines from customers are primarily used here. In the training, participants learn to deal with challenges in professional practice – but under competent guidance and without the time pressure of ongoing production. This turns theory and practice into a sustainable experience under real conditions.
Training and further education
To ensure that the mechanical engineering sector has enough skilled workers in the future, Thuringia relies on qualification. Young people are trained in various training directions, including chip-forming metal forming, mechanical and plant engineering, as well as tool and mold making.
Selected training occupations:
- machining mechanic
- Industrial mechanic
- Metalworker
Thuringia also specifically promotes and supports training networks in the metalworking industry. For example, companies and vocational training institutions have joined forces regionally and locally to train more young people and career changers. In addition, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce and the Chambers of Crafts offer further training opportunities:
- WIS – The IHK Continuing Education Information System
- Erfurt Chamber of Crafts – Further Training Offers
Research and Development
Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM)
The Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM) is an innovation partner in the field of modern mechanical engineering technologies and supports industrial companies across the entire process and manufacturing chain. ThZM mediates competent cooperation partners for solving your research and development tasks.
Competence fields:
- Adaptable production methods and manufacturing chains
- Interactive assistance systems for production
- Adaptive process control and adaptable quality assurance
Participating research institutions in the ThZM:
The institutes support companies in all phases - from the idea to the market maturity of a product:
FerMeTh - the cluster for manufacturing technology and metalworking in Thuringia
For companies in the metalworking industry, FerMeTh as a cooperation platform. It helps companies to sustainably secure their competitiveness and market opportunities. Furthermore, the cluster helps to eliminate structural disadvantages of small and medium-sized enterprises. This applies especially in the areas of research and development, manufacturing cooperations, marketing and sales, as well as in securing skilled workers.
Mittelstand 4.0 - Competence Center Ilmenau
The competence center in Ilmenau provides digitalization you can touch with practical demonstration and implementation projects. It supports regional companies in implementing automated solutions for concrete challenges in their operations. Five model factories at the locations Ilmenau, Jena, Schmalkalden and Sondershausen showcase exemplary digital production solutions for you to try out.
Selected companies
3D-Schilling GmbH
3D-Schilling from Sondershausen has been offering rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing for over 20 years using various technologies such as stereolithography, laser sintering, vacuum casting, and prototypes made from original materials, as well as toolmaking and engineering services.
Bystronic Maschinenbau GmbH
Bystronic is a globally operating Swiss provider of application-specific systems and services for the processes of laser and waterjet cutting as well as bending. With the bending machines manufactured at the production and development site in Gotha by around 200 employees, every consumer indirectly has Contact. Because on the machines, among other things, aircraft parts, automotive parts, or simply washing machine casings are bent.
HORSCH Maschinen GmbH
In Ronneburg near Gera, HORSCH operates one of the most modern agricultural machinery plants in Europe. Located directly on the A4, the plant on 14 hectares of land provides the best conditions for further growth and additional production capacities.
MetraLabs GmbH
MetraLabs are specialists in mobile service robotics with many years of practical experience. In 2007, the company launched the world's first interactive shopping robot. Since then, MetraLabs has installed over 250 robots in various applications worldwide, which now have more than 70,000 km of driving experience.
Schuler Pressen GmbH, Erfurt branch for forming technology
As a pure production and service location of the Schuler Group in Europe, the Erfurt Forming Technology branch manufactures systems for the automotive, supplier, electrical, and household appliance industries. The range of services extends from welding components weighing up to 230 t, through mechanical processing, to the assembly of presses, complex machines, and systems.
Other selected companies:
- avateramedical Mechatronics GmbH, Ilmenau
- Batix Software GmbH, Saalfeld
- Deckel Maho Seebach GmbH, Seebach
- Drehtechnik Jakusch GmbH, Saalfeld
- FCT Ingenieurkeramik GmbH, Frankenblick
- GKN Sinter Metals GmbH, Bad Langensalsza
- Glatt Ingenieurtechnik GmbH, Weimar
- Häcker Automation GmbH, Waltershausen
- Jenoptik AG, Laser and Material Processing Division, Jena
- Kaeser Kompressoren SE, Gera
- Kern Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Schleusingen
- Lemuth GmbH, Meiningen
- LPKF SolarQuipment GmbH, Suhl
- N3 Engine Overhaul Services GmbH & Co. KG, Arnstadt
- RSP GmbH, Saalfeld
- ruhlamat GmbH, Marksuhl
- Samag Saalfelder Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH, Saalfeld
- Schubert & Salzer Feinguss Lobenstein GmbH, Bad Lobenstein
- Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, Wiehe
- SOMAG AG , Jena
- VACOM Vakuum Komponenten & Messtechnik GmbH, Großlöbichau, Großlöbichau
- ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Gotha