The dovetailing of production and automation technology with the latest information and communication technology, known in Germany as Industry 4.0, is also an important topic in the USA. The development of fully automated and internet-connected factories, so-called "smart factories", is being promoted in the USA under the term "Industrial Internet of Things" (IIoT) "Smart Manufacturing" or "Advanced Manufacturing".
Efficiency gains through IIoT are crucial for the US to remain competitive in the global manufacturing market and gain attractiveness as a manufacturing location. Industry 4.0 solutions from German providers can help to digitally network systems, parts and processes and enable highly individualized production and flexible manufacturing.
The North American market for IIoT solutions is estimated to grow to $599 billion by 2021. The USA is very interesting as a sales market for IIoT solutions. According to the DIGITAL Economy Monitoring Report 2016, the USA is the country with the best framework conditions for the digital economy in terms of technical infrastructure and the intensity of use of digital technologies.
In this workshop, company representatives will exchange their experiences in introducing Industry 4.0 solutions in the USA compared to Germany and discuss the current status of the implementation of digitization measures. The workshop will also show the participants current trends and market opportunities and look at the Industry 4.0 landscape in the USA.
Our speakers
dr Stephen Beyer
CEO, BigRep GmbH
dr Stephan Beyer is the CEO of BigRep GmbH. He is one of the founders and a driving force in terms of strategic company orientation and global expansion.
dr Beyer previously held senior positions in venture capital firms and start-up finance companies. He is an engineer by training, but received a doctorate in finance from the Technical University of Berlin.
BigRep develops the world's largest 3D printers in series production. The award-winning printers have set new standards in the areas of speed, reliability and efficiency. BigRep is headquartered in Berlin and has offices in New York, Boston and Singapore.
Claus Cremers
Sales Representative and Business Development, MindSphere Future Maker, Siemens AG – MindSphere
Claus Cremers earned a degree in business administration with a focus on innovation management after studying at the University of Paderborn and the Technical University of Berlin. After completing his studies, he first started as an account manager for IT outsourcing at Siemens and IT Solutions and later at Atos, Europe's leading provider for cloud computing, cyber security and high-performance computing.
Claus returned to Siemens and worked in business development with a focus on digitization and start-ups.
In 2017 he took over his current position in Business Development and Future Maker for MindSphere - the cloud-based and open IIoT operating system from Siemens.
Claus has 2 children and lives with his family in Berlin
Alexandros Mics
Head of Key Account Management and member of the Executive Board
Mr. Mikros completed his studies in business administration at the Nuremberg University of Applied Sciences 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 working in 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 Customer Industries, which includes 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. He has been part of the relayr management team since January 2018. In his position, David is responsible for the relayr brand, expanding the thought leader position and creating awareness and demand in the target markets. David's entire career to date has been in tech-focused B2B companies. He worked for numerous verticals in sectors such as eProcurement, IT and ITC system integration or the FinTech sector. In the IIoT industry, the technical side fascinates him just as much as the mixture of insurance and financing in an existing market.
moderation
Christian Wolf
CEO, Representative of German Business for the Western US
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Kristian Wolf has been working in the AHK organization since 2001 and has headed the delegate office of German industry for the western United States since April 2018.He studied international business administration in the USA and started his career at an international financial services company. This was followed by several positions in the AHK network, until he became Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce Abroad in Atlanta, USA in 2006. In 2011 he moved to AHK Australia and managed the business there until March 2018. He volunteers on the board of several organizations.