Promoting (industry) Nachwuchs

Jens Lüdke: "We have been working very closely with the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers (VDWF) for several years." (Image: Tebis AG)

Tebis is increasingly involved with universities: At the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, the process provider offered a lecture for the first time in the part-time continuing education program "Project Manager (FH) for Tool and Mold Making." (Image: Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences)

Tebis is increasingly involved with universities. For the first time, the process provider for the development, design, and manufacturing of models, mold tools, and components offered a twelve-semester-hour lecture at the Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences as part of the two-semester part-time continuing education program "Project Manager (FH) for Tool and Mold Making." The lecture was delivered by Jens Lüdke, who heads Tebis's consulting department based in Göppingen.

The lecture took place within the course "Methods, Processes, and Organizational Structures." Together with the 17 students, Lüdke examined the current market situation in tool and mold making. "Among other things, we analyzed the external influences that companies must contend with to remain competitive," explains the head of consulting. "These include price pressures, globalization, and the increasing shortage of skilled workers." For each company, it is crucial to make production more efficient – in short: to achieve more output with the same time and resources. "Often, individual disturbance variables that companies can influence arise," describes Lüdke. "These relate, for example, to strategic orientation, machine productivity, setup processes, or the calculation and planning process." With appropriate value creation strategies, operational processes can be improved.

The curriculum also included the trending topic of Industry 4.0 and its significance for small and medium-sized enterprises. "Companies need to engage with this increasingly," says Lüdke. However, this also involves changes that employees must accept and identify with. Together with the students, a corresponding guide was developed.

"We have been working very closely with the German Association of Tool and Mold Makers (VDWF) for several years," reports Lüdke. "We care about mold and tool making. That’s why we are committed and pass on our comprehensive knowledge to young apprentices." For Tebis, this was the first lecture. "The event was very well received by the students. Therefore, in the next session – Project Manager (FH) for Tool and Mold Making, starting winter semester 2015/16 – we plan to hold another joint lecture," emphasizes Professor Thomas Seul, Vice Rector for Research and Transfer at the University of Applied Sciences. "We have already reserved the date." Tebis plans to cooperate with other universities in a similar manner and aims to establish itself more strongly as a process provider and knowledge carrier in the industry.