German laser and machine tool maker Trumpf has opened a new Industry
4.0 showroom in Chicago, Illinois.
Rather than a typical showroom that showcases a few pieces
of equipment or prototypes, the company wanted to show customers the big
picture of an IoT-connected industrial process. To this end, the company built
a $15 million facility that houses $15 million of equipment.
The factory ‘intelligently connects’ an entire sheet metal
process chain – from the initial order for a sheet metal component to its
design, manufacture and delivery.
The company selected Chicago for this project because of
concerns about U.S. politics. Despite being an established manufacturer in
America since 1969, with four locations and one thousand employees, Trumpf is
feeling the pressure the current administration is placing on foreign trade in
the manufacturing sector.
Chicago is at the center of the North American market for
sheet metal processing. Some 40 percent of the entire sheet metal processing
industry is based in directly neighboring states.
“For us, North America is one of the most important markets.
And in Chicago, we can present our vision for connected production to our
customers in the Midwest practically at their doorstep – and work with them to
drive connected production in the Industry 4.0 era,” said Nicola
Leibinger-Kammüller, chief executive officer of the Trumpf Group, at the
facility’s opening.
The company calls the new facility a ‘smart factory,’ but
the purpose of the production line is to demonstrate the utility of
IoT-connectivity in a real-world situation.
The control room and its large screens provide visitors with real-time process performance data for the current production process. (image courtesy of Trumpf.)
Trumpf increased its sales in the North American market by
14 percent in the past fiscal year, to $465 million– making the U.S. the
company’s second-largest market after Germany. The company plans to continue
expanding in this market over the long term. Opening the smart factory in
Chicago was a strategic move in this endeavor.
“Our industry needs free markets like people need air to
breathe. Free and fair trade as well as the exchange of specialists and
talented individuals are the only way to improve the standard of living for all
people – whether in the U.S., in Germany or elsewhere in the world,” stated
Leibinger-Kammuler in a press conference. “Nationalism, as we can see only too
well in Europe these days, leads to higher production costs, lower product
quality and a host of other issues. And consequently, to poorer job prospects.”
Is Industry 4.0 technology the key to revitalizing the rust
belt? Should the Trump administration shut out foreign trade? Let us know in
the comments below.
For more information about Trumpf, visit their website.