Manufacturing-X - vdma.eu

Since September, Etienne Axmann has joined the forum as a Factory-X speaker, which is now complete.

The VDMA's Manufacturing-X forum will devote an entire day in November to the data economy in industrial value creation networks. VDMA members are cordially invited to attend the event on November 19.

On September 22, 2025, Forum Manufacturing-X had the special opportunity to welcome a delegation from the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) to VDMA in Frankfurt.

In 2025, the VDMA and the ZVEI are once again organizing the "Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI" forum at SPS - with exciting presentations and lively panel discussions.

The VDMA, together with the ZVEI, the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association, and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), has sent an open letter to Digital Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger.

The VDMA and Spanish company TRIMEK have been honored with the BAIDATA Excellence Award 2025 in the category "Excellence in the Deployment of Innovative Pilots and Use Cases."

Jan Fischer has been on board as an expert for data rooms and Manufacturing-X at the VDMA since July. He strengthens the Manufacturing-X Forum headed by Dr.-Ing. Marc Hüske with his expertise.

The machinery industry is calling for a thorough state reform in Germany to increase industrial competitiveness. The EU, too, must get the economic development in Europe back on track.

VDMA and T-Systems, together with the umati initiative, are presenting the first global Manufacturing-X solution with open standards for machine data at this year's Hannover Messe.

Find out where you can get information from the VDMA

Hannover Messe will be a showcase for the digital data economy. In the Manufacturing-X forum, the VDMA will present trustworthy data rooms and innovative X projects from various industrial sectors.

Take part in our survey and let us know what you know and think about Manufacturing-X and the opportunities of a data-driven ecosystem.

The joint project RoX is dedicated to building a digital ecosystem that enables the use of innovative AI-based robotic solutions in practice-relevant applications and industries.

Digital transformation is becoming a key issue for success in mechanical and plant engineering. The new short study "Success factors of digital business models" highlights options for action for companies.

The IMPULS study "Tokenization in mechanical engineering" published today analyses Web3 technologies that promise the industry efficiency gains, new financing models and innovative monetization opportunities.

Industry expects a 16% drop in sales; companies must implement the Cyber Resilience Act; VDMA's Manufacturing-X report

The document "Players in the industrial data economy" shows which companies are involved in which projects relating to the data economy. The aim is to enable better networking and learning from each other - both throughout Germany and in Europe.

Focus on the data economy: the launch of the SCALE-MX transfer project aims to disseminate the results of the Manufacturing-X projects across industry.

The topic of Manufacturing-X is now of interest to many of our member companies. We receive many questions, which we have compiled and answered here.

Our event overview shows you where you can meet our data room experts.

In 2024, the VDMA and the ZVEI are once again organizing a forum for the SPS, the "Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI" with many interesting presentations and panel discussions.

What is behind the X in Manufacturing-X? A groundbreaking concept that goes far beyond the exchange of data between companies. It is the key to collaboration within and between industries.

Meet the digitization experts at the VDMA Software and Digitization stand to exchange experiences.

With the establishment of the VDMA Forum Manufacturing-X, the VDMA is bundling and coordinating all activities on this topic for its member companies and stakeholders.

Industry 4.0 has given German and European industry a leading role in automation. Now it's all about the world of digital business models and secure data exchange. The concept is called "Manufacturing-X".

On the occasion of the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2023, Produktion magazine asked Hartmut Rauen about Manufacturing-X. In the interview, the Deputy Managing Director of the VDMA explains what it is all about.

What could a data space for Manufacturing-X look like in the future and what is important? The VDMA and ZVEI's blueprint study provides an impetus for this.

With the Data Act, the European Commission is aiming for a new legal framework for data use, utilization and distribution. The new study provides recommendations for action for the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The trade association started the development of Companion Specifications in the field of textile machinery in 2019. As the first project, the Compainon Specfication "OPC UA for Fibre & Yarn Testing Devices" has now been published as a Release Candidate.

Connectivity is a key component for the successful technological and economic development of economies, and thus for social prosperity.

Increasing geopolitical conflicts, trade wars, as well as massively disrupted supply chains since the beginning of the Corona pandemic: these are the main drivers of the calls for technological sovereignty in Germany and Europe that have become louder in recent years. But what is this actually?

In order to remain at the technological forefront and enable climate protection, the world of production must change. It needs more knowledge about all processes and materials in the value network, and it needs more cooperation toward a sovereign production location in Europe. The "Manufacturing-X" initiative is intended to make this possible.

Examples of remote maintenance architectures show how mechanical and plant engineering can ensure secure service from a distance.

What challenges do companies face in dealing with the platform economy? What demands do customers of machinery and plant manufacturers place on digital products and services? In the new episode of the VDMA Industry Podcast, Dr. Julia Duwe, Head of Global Architecture at Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen and Dr. Stefan Schunck, Head of Digital Products at Krones AG, explain how this change can be shaped.

With increasing networking, new approaches are needed in companies. Not just a view of the machines is needed, but a strong view of the entire ecosystem.

New episode of the podcast by OPC Foundation about OPC UA for Machinery and why its the most critical and important base class of all VDMA information models. It will become critically important and mandatory not only for machines, but also for all services that access data.

The basis for a successful digital transformation is a strong digital infrastructure - which Germany does not have. Regardless of whether it's mechanical engineering, industry or the skilled trades: in order to remain competitive, hardly any manufacturing company today can do without the potential of digitalization.

State Association Day: OPC UA - Tackling and Implementing

Cooperation within Europe on digital policy must improve. The industry needs efficient political structures and competent contacts. And it needs a common, interoperable cloud and data infrastructure.

The regional associations of the VDMA offer information events on OPC UA in June.

The VDMA study "Interoperability in Machinery and Plant Engineering" highlights the relevance of interoperable interfaces and associated standards in companies.

umati stands for "universal machine technology interface". It forms the framework for the worldwide distribution of interface standards based on OPC UA in mechanical and plant engineering.

OPC UA for Machinery as a basic specification for mechanical engineering

VDMA Working Group Additive Manufacturing launches OPC UA activity

Germany has created a brand and an export hit with Industrie 4.0. The consequence: China is staking its claim with its own initiatives. The opportunities for the German mechanical engineering industry must be carefully explored.

The guide "Successfully marketing digital offerings" presents four success models of digital service types: the integral product improvement, the complementary service, the digital intermediary and the digital innovation. They make it easier for VDMA members to classify their own digital services.

Interoperability is a key pillar of efficient digital transformation and the long-term positioning of every company in the global market. Stay up to date with our newsletter.

OPC UA is an important building block in defining the world language of production. Find out what the benefits and challenges are in the video of the panel discussion with experts from industry and the OPC Foundation.

How do companies manage to successfully introduce digital innovations? A VDMA study provides answers to this question by identifying important fields of action for future-oriented leadership.

The VDMA accompanies and supports its members on the way to Industrie 4.0. Here you will find an overview of the current publications on the topic.