Extrusion International 1-2018

11 Extrusion International 1/2018 First Converting 4.0 network meeting at KAMPF On November 16th, 2017, the first Converting 4.0 network meeting took place at Kampf Schneid- und Wickeltechnik GmbH & Co. KG in Wiehl (Germany). More than 70 visitors from 40 well-known companies dealing with the topic slit- ting and winding of web-shaped materials as well as special- ists from the automation, IT and sensor industries gathered at Wiehl’s main location. The Federal Government communicated the project “Indus- try 4.0” with the aim of interlinking industrial production with modern information and communication technology. A networking of all systems in the course of the “Industry 4.0 Process” is of central importance for the metal and electrical industry as well as the exporting machine construction indus- try. KAMPF made this topic a lead theme of its development agenda at a very early stage. The company founded the “Con- verting 4.0” network. The goal was to create solutions for the digitized processes of the future in interdisciplinary teams – to great success. In spring 2017, KAMPF presented the newprod- uct “the@vanced” as the basis for a partner network to map the entire value chain, and the first external network pioneers started together with KAMPF. www.kampf.de The absolutely new integrative platform the@vanced received a thoroughly positive market feedback. This software serves as an instrument to increase efficiency, not only of the slitting andwinding technology, but of the entire production process. Products or components are networked on this platform, and the data is holistically evaluated and used to initiate appropri- ate optimization measures. As of January 17, 2018, EDS GmbH an international sup- plier of high-end extrusion tools is part of the Reifenhäuser Group. EDS is a specialist for flat dies with headquarters in Reichshof-Wenrath, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. EDS GmbH will operate within the Reifenhäuser Group as a separate independent business unit. Johannes P. Müller, the previous owner, will continue to run EDS GmbH, together with Uwe Gaedike, Director Operations at Reifenhäuser, Acquisition who is also responsible for developing the components busi- ness of the Reifenhäuser Group. “EDS and Reifenhäuser complement one another excellently when it comes to design and production expertise. As an ef- fective team, we will use and expand on our strengths to- gether,” says Bernd Reifenhäuser, Chair of the Management Board. “Both companies have a reputation for close and re- sponsible collaboration with our customers. This means that customers can avail of the expertise and support that they re- quire.” Johannes P. Müller, Managing Director of EDS: “We are proud to now be a part of the Reifenhäuser Group. We will combine our strengths and pool our technology and pro- duction resources. This, along with a worldwide sales struc- ture for our customers, will considerably increase our ability to perform.“ With this take-over, Reifenhäuser remains faithful to its strat- egy: To ensure its long-term success, the Troisdorf company strives for technological leadership through in-house devel- opments and the acquisition of know-how in market-rele- vant technologies. “This take-over perfectly complements our existing expertise in die production,” emphasizes Uwe Gaedike. With the die specialist EDS, Reifenhäuser takes a great stride towards its goal of always delivering the best ex- trusion process. When it comes to die production, EDS stands for tailor-made products. “Together with the Reifenhäuser production know-how we will develop a strong business for the sale of first-class dies,” explains Uwe Gaedike. The lectures in the “Wissenswerk” here Professor Dr.-Ing. Christin Brecher Johannes P. Müller, managing director and former owner of EDS (left) and Bernd Reifenhäuser, CEO of Reifenhäuser Group