Digitization
Bosch Rexroth is involved in the 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative
As a partner in the 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative, Bosch Rexroth is committed to the digital transformation of German SMEs. The current six shareholders and 23 members of the initiative, including SMEs, start-ups, IT experts and consortia, want to jointly drive forward digitalization in SMEs and provide practical guidance for its implementation.
According to the German Economic Institute, more than 99% of companies in Germany belong to the SME sector. They employ more than 70 percent of the workforce and generate more than half of the net value added. Thomas Fechner, Member of the Management Board and responsible for the Factory Automation division at Bosch Rexroth, points out the potential: "Digitization will open up enormous opportunities for SMEs in the future to further strengthen their competitiveness. The 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative offers the ideal platform for jointly tapping into this potential and making it easier for SMEs to access."
Technologically, the increasing degree of digitalization requires a fundamental change - away from proprietary systems and towards open, modular and scalable solutions and decentralized architectures. Artificial intelligence will further accelerate this trend in the future. Bosch Rexroth has been actively driving this development for years with its 'ctrlX Automation' modular automation system and app technology. "As a partner in the 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative, we want to actively support SMEs with our expertise and shape the digital future together with other member companies of the initiative," summarizes Fechner.
The 'Next Level Mittelstand' initiative was founded in April 2024 to support German SMEs on their way into the digital future. It connects leading technology providers with SMEs in order to share experiences and develop strategies and tools that strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the long term. In workstreams, member companies identify the challenges of digitalization and jointly develop so-called recipes. These are tried-and-tested step-by-step instructions that companies can use to implement digital measures step by step. Recipes are available to every member company and can be implemented independently or via service providers.
For example, Bosch Rexroth is currently working with six other companies on a product carbon footprint (PCF) workstream. After clarifying the regulatory requirements, the project aims to develop a standardized PCF calculation method and exchange best practices.
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