Change in the association board

Marco Wanner ran with the motto "Connecting IT and OT" and won the vote. He replaces Dr. Detlev Richter from TÜV Süd, who had already announced at the end of 2024 that he would not be running again. Wanner completed his Master's degree in Robotics and Automation Technology at Kempten University of Applied Sciences, where he also previously earned his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology. Before joining Xitaso in 2022, he initially worked as an application engineer for PLCs and robotics in the field and then worked at Kuka as a product owner and project manager.

In his application for election to the Management Board, Wanner emphasized his strategic priorities, including the implementation of IT/OT convergence - both in comprehensive specialist concepts and in technological solutions. It is also important to him to further develop traditional OT concepts and the automation pyramid and to drive forward the digital transformation in mechanical engineering.

During his tenure on the Management Board, Detlev Richter set the course for a closer approach to IT and OT. He also left behind a number of technical footprints, including the worker assistance system presented in 2020, which was developed in collaboration with Pilz and Empolis, as well as participation in the Operational Safety Intelligence use case presented at the Hannover Messe in 2024, in which Pilz and B&R Automation are involved.

"The fact that we now have two members from software companies on our Management Board reflects the reality of production," explains the re-elected Chairman of the Management Board, Prof. Dr.-Ing. "We are increasing the productivity of machines and on the store floor through the targeted use of software."

Andreas Huhmann from Harting was also re-elected. He has been a member of the committee since 2011 and focuses on digital twins in connectors. Eric Brabänder from the software company Empolis, a member of the Executive Board, also remains part of the SFKL's four-member decision-makers' panel. Together, they are driving forward digitalization and AI solutions that promise sustainable increases in productivity, including digital twins, AI applications, multi-agent systems, worker assistance systems and more.