Workshop Industry 4.0
The integration of production and automation technologies with modern information and communication technologies, also known as Industry 4.0, a term originally coined in Germany, is also an important topic in the US. However, the development of fully-automated and connected factories is more commonly known as “smart factories” and promoted with terms such as “Industrial Internet of Things” (IIoT), “smart manufacturing”, or “advanced manufacturing” throughout the US.
Efficiency gains from IIoT are of vital importance for the US to remain competitive in the global manufacturing market as well as stay a location for production. Solutions from German Industry 4.0 providers can help businesses digitally connect facilities, parts and processes to enable individualized production and flexible manufacturing.
The North American market for IIoT solutions is expected to grow to a value of 599 billion USD by 2021. The Monitoring-Report Wirtschaft DIGITAL 2016 from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy stated that the US provides the best framework conditions for the digital economy related to technical infrastructure and utilization intensity of digital technologies. As a result, the US provides a lot of market opportunities for IIoT solutions.
During the workshop, company representatives will exchange experiences on the introduction of Industry 4.0 solutions in Germany and the US, as well as discuss the current implementation status of digitalization initiatives. Furthermore, the workshop will focus on current trends in the Industry 4.0 landscape of the US. Innovative projects and concrete examples will highlight the market potential and opportunities for German Industry 4.0 solution providers in the USA, while simultaneously addressing potential challenges with US market entry.
Our Speakers
Dr. Stephan Beyer
CEO, BigRep GmbH
Having years of experience in finance and technology, Dr. Stephan Beyer serves as the CEO of BigRep GmbH. He is one of the company’s founders and has been a driving force behind the strategic development and global expansion of BigRep.
Stephan has held various executive positions with venture capital and start-up finance businesses. A trained engineer, Stephan obtained a doctorate degree in finance from the Technical University of Berlin.
BigRep develops the world’s largest serial production 3D printers. Its award-winning, German-engineered machines, have established new standards in speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices in New York, Boston and Singapore.
Claus Cremers,
Sales Representative and Business Development, MindSphere Future Maker, Siemens AG – MindSphere
Claus Cremer studied Business at the University of Paderborn and the Technical University of Berlin with a focus on Innovation Management. Upon completion of his studies, Claus worked as an Account Manager within Siemens’ IT Solutions and Services department across several cities in Germany. After a short period of time working for Atos, Europe’s leading provider of cloud computing, cybersecurity and high-performance computing, Claus returned to Siemens and worked within business development with a focus on Digitalization and Start-Ups. In 2017 Claus entered his current position of Sales Representative and Business Development of MindSphere, Siemens’ cloud-based and open IIoT operating system.
Alexandros Mikros
Head of Key Account Management
Mr. Mikros studied business administration at the University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg and graduated with a degree in business administration. Before joining Würth, he worked for several years in Supply Chain Management at INA Schaeffler KG in Herzogenaurach. In 2007, he switched to sales and started key account management at Würth Industrie Service. In 2013, he took over the management of the newly founded Construction Machinery Division and was appointed a member of the Management Board. Since 2015, Mr. Mikros has had overall responsibility for key account management in the customer industries, which comprises the customer segments Construction Machinery, Agriculture Equipment, Transportation, Rail and Maritime.
David Petrikat
Global Director of Marketing, relayr Inc.
David Petrikat joined relayr in August 2017 as Global Director of Marketing and has been a member of the relayr Management Team since January 2018. He oversees the relayr brand and is responsible for expanding the company’s thought leadership position and generating demand in target markets. David has spent his career in tech-driven B2B companies and has a successful track record of marketing complex and highly innovative solutions. His experience covers several industries and verticals such as healthcare eProcurement, enterprise ITC System Integration and supply chain FinTech. What fascinates David about the IIoT industry is the challenge to market groundbreaking technology with the unique blend of insurance and finance.
Moderation
Kristian Wolf
CEO, Representative of German Business for the Western U.S.
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Kristian Wolf ist seit 2001 in der AHK Organisation tätig und leitet seit April 2018 das Delegiertenbüro der deutschen Wirtschaft für den Westen der USA. Er studierte internationale Betriebswirtschaft in den USA und begann seine Karriere bei einem internationalen Finanzdienstleistungsunternehmen. Darauf folgten mehrere Positionen im AHK-Netzwerk, bis er 2006 Geschäftsführer der Auslandshandelskammer in Atlanta, USA wurde. In 2011 wechselte er zur AHK Australien und leitete dort bis März 2018 die Geschäfte. Ehrenamtlich engagiert er sich im Vorstand mehrerer Organisationen.