VDWF is a member of the international tool and mold making association ISTMA

It was a ceremonial moment: VDWF President Professor Thomas Seul presents ISTMA President Bob Williams (both in the center of the picture) with the VDWF flag. Also present were the three VDWF board members Markus Bay, Anton Schweiger, Barbara Ellinger-Walter, as well as ISTMA Secretary General Manuel Oliveira, VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürwächter, and Christian Dihlmann, President of the Brazilian Tool and Mold Making Association (from left).

A toast to good cooperation during the Moulding-Expo. At the VDWF stand, its President Professor Thomas Seul and ISTMA President Bob Williams sealed the German tool and mold makers' membership to the international association. Afterwards, the celebration continued late into the night.

It was a ceremonial moment: VDWF President Professor Thomas Seul presents ISTMA President Bob Williams (both in the center of the picture) with the VDWF flag. Also present were the three VDWF board members Markus Bay, Anton Schweiger, Barbara Ellinger-Walter, as well as ISTMA Secretary General Manuel Oliveira, VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürwächter, and Christian Dihlmann, President of the Brazilian Tool and Mold Making Association (from left).

VDWF President Prof. Dr. Thomas Seul and ISTMA President Bob Williams at the VDWF stand during the Moulding Expo. The membership was announced to numerous guests and celebrated late into the night.

VDWF President Professor Thomas Seul and ISTMA President Bob Williams – Handshake at the Moulding Expo. Here, the membership was announced in front of numerous guests and celebrated late into the night.

The VDWF booth at the Moulding Expo from a bird's-eye view. Here, the membership was announced in front of numerous guests and celebrated late into the night.

Since the end of May 2019, the VDWF has been the 22nd member of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA). VDWF President Thomas Seul announced the alliance to the members at the VDWF booth during the Moulding Expo 2019 in Stuttgart: "We have succeeded in establishing a presence in the international environment and demonstrating global visibility." Furthermore, VDWF is always interested in getting to know the industry — no matter where in the world — and discussing on equal terms with colleagues. "ISTMA provides a starting point and a multiplier, and VDWF has taken another important step forward," Seul explained.

The joy within ISTMA about the addition of the German toolmakers is also great. On the day of the official membership, President Bob Williamson welcomed the VDWF members in Stuttgart with a speech: "With you, ISTMA now represents a total of 8,320 companies worldwide. We are very proud to have VDWF and its members on board. We will utilize your expertise and integrate you into our activities as quickly as possible. Our frequent meetings in recent months give me optimism in this regard. This is a great moment for me!" In addition to VDMA, VDWF is thus the second German member of ISTMA.

ISTMA places high hopes on the extensive network of VDWF and its experience in collaborating with its members. As part of the exchange of best practices within the association, ISTMA desires active German participation. "ISTMA is a platform to develop corporate cooperation and business," explained ISTMA Secretary General Manuel Oliveira. "Furthermore, the tasks faced in Germany are similar to those in other countries. These are shared challenges of our industry. And through collaboration, we can also achieve joint solutions — for the benefit of the companies. For example, the skilled labor shortage: we all have to fight it."

ISTMA is the global representative body for tool and mold manufacturing companies. As an international association, it unites the expertise of the industry and networks its members and their companies. It serves as a contact point for associations of related industries and for political institutions such as the European Commission.