Mechanical engineering in Thuringia

Mechanical engineering is the fastest-growing sector in Thuringia – despite intensified competition. This demonstrates that companies in Thuringia find ideal conditions for creating innovations and establishing internationally successful products and services on the market. Through the implementation of automation concepts, Thuringian companies will be able to maintain their leading position in global competition in the future.

overview

Thuringia offers excellent growth opportunities for companies looking to launch their businesses with traditional mechanical engineering applications or cutting-edge automation and mechatronics technology. Renowned market and technology leaders have relied on the Free State for many years. Attractive customers, suppliers, and research institutes are located 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 providing comprehensive on-site services.

Data and facts

more than 400 Companies
approximately 18,000 Employees
3.1 billion euros Sales volume
42.8 percent Export quota
50,000 students, of which approximately 19,000 are in engineering degree programs
attractive customers, suppliers and cooperation partners in the immediate vicinity

Production focus

Core competencies in the following fields:

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

Special machine construction in the areas of:

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

Specialization areas in the fields of:

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

skilled workers
In Thuringia, mechanical engineers can draw on an excellent pool of skilled workers – from highly trained skilled workers in various technical professions to highly qualified engineers and software developers.
Academic education
Thuringia's technically oriented universities continue the state's long tradition of engineering. In the 2018/2019 winter semester alone, approximately 1,400 students were enrolled in mechanical engineering programs. The Ilmenau University of Technology and the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, among others, repeatedly achieved top rankings in this field in the university rankings conducted by the weekly newspaper "DIE ZEIT" and the Center for Higher Education Development (CHE).
Selected study programs:
Ilmenau University of Technology
- Mechanical engineering
- Mechatronics
Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena
- Mechanical engineering and mechatronics
Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences
- Mechanical engineering
Gera-Eisenach University of Cooperative Education
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences
- Automation and electronics development
- Mechanical engineering
Mehnert Lab Erfurt
The idea of Mehnert Lab The aim is to give more space to practical experience in operating special-purpose machines. Therefore, in addition to modern media, the training primarily utilizes the customers' own machines. Participants learn how to handle challenges encountered in professional practice – under expert guidance and without the time pressure of ongoing production. This way, theory and practice combine to create lasting experience under real-world conditions.
Initial and continuing education
To ensure that the mechanical engineering sector has a sufficient number of skilled workers in the future, Thuringia is focusing on qualifications. Young people are being trained in various fields, including metal cutting, mechanical and plant engineering, and tool and mold making.
Selected apprenticeship occupations:
- CNC Machinist
- Industrial mechanic
- metalworker
Furthermore, Thuringia 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 Skilled Crafts, among others, offer further training courses
- WIS – The Chamber of Industry and Commerce's Continuing Education Information System
- Erfurt Chamber of Skilled Crafts – Continuing Education Programs
Research and Development
Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM)
The Thuringian Center for Mechanical Engineering (ThZM) 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 connects you with competent cooperation partners to solve your research and development challenges.
Areas of expertise:
- 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 readiness 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 faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. This applies particularly in the areas of research and development, manufacturing cooperation, marketing and sales, and securing skilled workers.
SMEs 4.0 - Competence Center Ilmenau
The competence center in Ilmenau provides hands-on digitalization through practical demonstration and implementation projects. It supports regional companies in implementing automated solutions for specific challenges in their operations. Five model factories at the Ilmenau, Jena, Schmalkalden, and Sondershausen locations showcase exemplary digital production solutions for testing.
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-oriented systems and services for laser and waterjet cutting and bending processes. Every consumer indirectly comes Contact with the bending machines manufactured at the production and development site in Gotha by approximately 200 employees. This is because these machines are used to bend a wide range of products, from aircraft parts and automotive components to simple washing machine casings.
HORSCH Maschinen GmbH
In Ronneburg near Gera, HORSCH operates one of the most modern agricultural machinery plants in Europe. Located directly on the A4 motorway, the 14-hectare plant offers ideal conditions for further growth and additional production capacity.
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 have accumulated more than 70,000 km of driving experience.
Schuler Presses GmbH, Erfurt branch of metal forming technology
As a dedicated production and service site for the Schuler Group in Europe, the Erfurt Forming Technology branch manufactures systems for the automotive, supplier, electrical, and household appliance industries. Its range of services extends from welding components weighing up to 230 tons and machining 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
- Jakusch GmbH Turning Technology, Saalfeld
- FCT Ingenieurkeramik GmbH, Frankenblick
- GKN Sinter Metals GmbH, Bad Langensalza
- 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 Vacuum Components & Measurement Technology GmbH, Großlöbichau, Großlöbichau
- ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Gotha