On November 5, 1992, 18 small and medium-sized business owners gathered at the Bad Hotel in Bad Überkingen. Their goal: to establish an association that would speak out strongly for the interests of everyone in the industry, pool the strengths and potential of the many small and medium-sized enterprises, and represent them to the industry.
In 1993, the VDWF organized its own trade fair in Sinsheim together with the trade fair company Paul Schall. Ten association members participated as exhibitors at Formtech. Lectures and panel discussions were organized parallel to the exhibition. Subsequently, the VDWF presented itself with a joint booth concept at major industry trade fairs such as Fakuma, Euromold, WFB, and Blechexpo.
The relaunch of the association's magazine has been published four times a year since 2005 with a circulation of approximately 13,000 copies. In addition to professional news, «VDWF im Dialog» addresses economically and socially relevant topics within and outside the industry and reports on internal association matters.
Informal gatherings not only help members stay ahead of the curve in terms of organization and technology, but also promote exchange within the association network.
The annual barbecue and ski weekend have been regular events in the VDWF calendar since 2005 and 2006, respectively.
Does marketing even make sense for my company? This was the motto of the VDWF's first Marketing Day. The fact that many more people registered for this seminar than originally expected already suggests the answer.
With its Technology Days concept, the VDWF also aims to convey solutions for manufacturing processes at the highest technical level.
To ensure that CE marking for tool and mold making is simple, clear, and practical, a «roadmap» with comprehensive documentation and a dedicated VDWF CE guideline were created in 2010. This guideline forms the basis for the interpretation and a uniform procedure for applying CE marking in tool and mold making. In addition to regular workshops, the association also offers comprehensive information on the topic.
On its YouTube channel, the VDWF presents short interviews and reports from association events.
The VDWF, in cooperation with Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences as an official branch of the association, is launching the continuing education program «Project Manager (FH) for Tool and Mold Making». Designed to optimally qualify specialists and managers for the requirements of efficient, economical, and high-quality tool and mold making, the program lasts two semesters and is part-time. This is the first of what is now a total of six degree programs.
With its training initiative, the VDWF provides qualified apprentices in the industry. At the Southern Thuringia Education Center (BCS) in Zella-Mehlis, apprentices are taught specialized knowledge in two-week block seminars, complementing their on-the-job training and vocational school attendance. Depending on company requirements, two courses (1st and 2nd years and 3rd year) focus on imparting and deepening knowledge and skills in the field of mold making beyond the standard curriculum.
The VDWF's new website has been online since April 19, 2012. Visitors to the familiar domain www.vdwf.de will now find a completely redesigned website in keeping with the spirit of the times. It also includes a digital version of the VDWF magazine, where daily news is posted. A feedback channel is available for all content on the new website. Members can advertise online.
The South Westphalia Toolmaking Institute (WI.SWF) becomes an official branch of the VDWF.
A 16-member VDWF delegation spent a week traveling through Turkey, visiting the Bursa and Istanbul regions, gaining valuable insights into local production facilities. In addition to sheet metal forming, stamping, and injection molding plants, the tour also visited toolmaking companies.
2014 saw the birth of Moulding Expo, the new showcase for tool, model, and mold making. The VDWF (German Federation of German Tool and Die Makers) is the first non-profit and professional sponsor.
In mid-September 2014, the Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering East (VDMA East) and the VDWF hosted a tool and mold making user forum at the Chemnitz town hall. The more than 60 participants were treated to an interesting mix of topics on current trends, developments, and innovations in the industry. The event has been held annually since then.
For the first time, the VDWF is offering a «Working Group on Industry 4.0 in SMEs». A seminar will provide information on the background, history, and case studies. The working group will develop practical and tangible application possibilities for implementation in companies and summarize them in a guideline.
In November 2015, the first «totally wild» group set off on a trip together. Today, the seminar series has established itself as a regular event in the VDWF's event calendar and takes place twice a year. The goal of the initiative is to provide tool and mold making entrepreneurs with a precise, targeted approach to their own topics and issues, offering them the opportunity to exchange ideas with like-minded individuals.
Moulding Expo 2015: Well over 600 exhibitors in sold-out Stuttgart exhibition halls. And right in the middle of it all, in Hall 6, the VDWF, as the conceptual and professional sponsor, with its unprecedented joint booth. At approximately 700 square meters, it was the largest in the history of the Stuttgart Trade Fair Center. Aside from the new booth concept, the VDWF was represented by 82 exhibitors (52 at the joint booth).
On the exhibitor evening of the Moulding Expo, association president Prof. Thomas Seul presented the VDWF cinema spot. The film is specifically designed to encourage young people to choose a career in tool and mold making. In approximately 30 seconds, the film outlines what young career starters can expect if they choose an apprenticeship in tool and mold making: high-tech in the range of a few thousandths of a millimeter, work on state-of-the-art machining centers, and the creation of production tools for a variety of everyday products. The highlight: Companies can have the film personalized to their specific audience.
From now on, VDWF medals will be awarded on special occasions or for outstanding service to the VDWF. We wouldn't be toolmakers if we didn't use genuine tool steel.
Our new YouTube cameras are being tested. Following the annual general meeting, we spontaneously asked some members: «What does VDWF mean to you?»
The VDWF joint booth has been an integral part of the international trade fair in Friedrichshafen since its inception. To accommodate the booth's growth at the sold-out fair, the VDWF is resorting to unusual measures: For example, the VDWF is taking over the kitchen space of neighboring booths, which it will then supply in return. Storage space has also been created in the loading yard.
The association's online presence not only has a new look, but also boasts new functionality: In addition to all the familiar features, the site is noticeably more elegant, especially when used on mobile devices. The two websites vdwf.de and vdwf-im-dialog.de have been merged into a single website. Furthermore, key content from vdwf.de is now available in English.
The association has had a comprehensive seminar and workshop program in its portfolio for many years. These cover both technical topics and «soft skills», which are becoming increasingly important in modern corporate management. The VDWF seminar program «Nase vorn» (Ahead of the Game, translated literally as Nose Ahead) provides an overview of the growing number of working groups, delegation trips, and association events, which are now also offered as open events for members, including company tours.
The VDWF study programs 4 and 5 («Information Technology and IT Management» and «Electrical Engineering and Management») are being launched in cooperation with Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences.
On April 8 and 9, the VDWF, the Center for Continuing Education, and the Laboratory for Applied Plastics Technology at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences hosted the joint «Innovation Forum for Plastics Technology and Mold Making». Around 80 participants from across Germany, including some from German-speaking countries, responded to the call and were able to hear high-profile presentations on technical topics as well as social developments and ecologically necessary objectives over the two days of the event.
Sonja Pongratz receives the Dr. Richard Escales Prize for her services «to the continuous dissemination of expertise on the durability of plastics». Starting with this seventh edition, the VDWF (German Federation of Plastics and Rubber) and Carl Hanser Verlag will jointly present the award.
Association President Prof. Thomas Seul presented the new addition to the association's logo, «The Toolmakers», at the VDWF's annual general meeting in Lüdenscheid in April. «We are 'makers,' and we are people», Thomas Seul explained the content and feel of the new, handwritten subtitle, which will be optional in the future.
At the Annual General Meeting, we will once again ask members the question: «What does VDWF mean to you?» – this time in color.
Seventeen participants traveled through China for eight days: Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Taizhou, Hangzhou, and Hong Kong. They gained a comprehensive overview of the Chinese tool and die industry and beyond. The German entrepreneurs exchanged ideas with various local toolmakers during company tours and presentations and had the opportunity to deepen their relationships with the Far East through the China Die and Mould Industry Association (CDMIA).
Developed goals: Cluster strategy, innovation strategy, public visibility of the mold and tool making industry, and visibility of our members. Expansion of technological leadership. Training and continuing education. Conscious use of the VDWF meeting space and its culture of encounter.
The VDWF is a co-organizer – for example, at the Meusburger Tool and Mold Making Days in Bregenz, the evomecs Think Tank, the Makino Toolmaking Forum, or the Hachtel Technology Day.
At the end of June, the VDWF invited the trade press to Lichtenfels to visit its member, the Hofmann Innovation Group. VDWF President Prof. Thomas Seul and Marketing Director Ralf Dürrwächter reported on the association's new projects and initiatives, as well as on the insights gained during the VDWF delegation's trip to China in the spring. Those present also had the opportunity to gain insights into the various production areas and research projects of the host company, Hofmann.
The first English-language edition of «VDWF im Dialog» was published in January. Numerous articles from previous German-language editions have been translated and compiled here. The magazine offers interested parties the opportunity to learn more about the association's work. The English edition will be sent along with other materials in a member package.
At the Moulding Expo, the VDWF celebrated its anniversary at the largest VDWF joint stand the association has ever had (1100 m², with 77 exhibitors).
The 25th anniversary issue is published as a reversible magazine with a circulation of 15,000 copies and, with its 2-in-1 format, underlines the partnership with the Moulding Expo at Messe Stuttgart.
Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, delivered the keynote speech at the 25th anniversary celebration of the VDWF, focusing on the key role that tool and mold making plays in industrial production.
Lack of space at the VDWF joint booth! So, 25 years of VDWF were presented with 200 slides in individual slide viewers.
The Polyman – a handy piece of plastic that's causing a sensation in the training of tool and mold makers: a two-component application, half of which comes from a plastic-compatible and half from a non-plastic-compatible component design. The Polyman project is an exemplary collaboration between technology partners and sponsors. The VDWF initiated and coordinated the project.
Companies receive the Dream Company award based on the evaluation of an anonymous employee survey.
One of the most popular attractions at the VDWF trade fair appearances is the Polyman project, which visitors can now also marvel at via virtual reality. The Polyman is a handy piece of plastic that has caused a sensation in the training of tool and mold makers. The two-component application, half of which comes from a plastic-compatible and half from a non-plastic-compatible component design, combines all the good and bad aspects of injection molding production in a single part and makes this visible at a glance. Trade fair visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the virtual reality of this piece using 3D glasses: The glass-animated tool allows the viewer to immerse themselves in the injection molding process and the cavity, and to experience firsthand the dos and don'ts of plastic- and component-compatible tool design. The idea and concept were developed by Prof. Steffen Ritter from Reutlingen University.
The VDWF showed off its particularly sporty spirit with its special sportswear campaign, allowing companies to display their logos on the association's teamwear. In addition to a complete cycling kit (jersey and shorts), there were also jogging jerseys from a German brand.
The VDWF offers members and interested parties seminars and working groups with a strong practical focus on tool and mold making. The association is committed to developing perspectives for the entire tool and mold making industry in German-speaking countries, as well as offering a corresponding program to impart industry-specific know-how to specialists and company owners. At the beginning of 2018, the portfolio was expanded to include seminars on «Human Resources Management», «Electrical Specialist for Restricted Activities in Tool and Mold Making», «Sales Professional in Tool and Mold Making», and «Dream Company».
At the beginning of 2018, the VDWF strengthened its team at its Schwendi office with Sabrina Wagner, a trained hotel manager and office management assistant, bringing a dynamic and highly sociable individual on board. At the same time, long-time Technical Director Heiko Semrau stepped down from the dual management team, leaving Ralf Dürrwächter as sole Managing Director.
Just a micrometer was missing from the top spot on the winner's podium – and that's why President Prof. Thomas Seul and Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter smiled with pride and satisfaction when they accepted the award as runner-up in the «Association of the Year 2018» competition at the celebratory evening event held as part of the 16th German Association Congress of the German Society for Association Management (DGVM) in Berlin in 2018. The VDWF received the award in the «Reform and Management» category.
Moderated by Susanne Schröder, editor-in-chief of «Form+Werkzeug», the VDWF executive board meeting «voll wild» at Fanuc, F. Zimmermann, and Reichle featured René Haidlmair, Lothar Horn, Ulrich Kromer von Baerle (then head of Messe Stuttgart), VDWF Vice President Anton Schweiger, and former German Football Association (DFB) referee Lutz Wagner, among others, who explored the question of what «deciding» means to them. 150 participants made this event the first XXL version.
The official opening of the new training center for plastics technology, the Polymer Training Centre (PTC), simultaneously marked the 30th anniversary of the institute at the Kunststoff-Institut Lüdenscheid. On this occasion, the Kunststoff-Institut also became an official branch of the VDWF (German Federation of Plastics and Metals) in order to firmly establish the field of tool and mold making in northwest Germany and to promote relevant topics through numerous events. Furthermore, the cooperation includes the promotion and offering of Lüdenscheid's offerings via the VDWF, the initiation of joint development and collaborative projects, and joint participation at trade fairs. The two institutions, with their more than 600 companies behind them, are thus setting entirely new standards in their industries and impressing with interdisciplinary projects and development approaches.
Travel is educational – this also applies to VDWF delegation trips. In mid-September 2018, an 18-member VDWF delegation departed for North America: seven days, two countries, one continent. In Canada and the USA, the toolmakers from Germany gained fascinating insights into their colleagues overseas. The program included on-site visits to tool and mold manufacturing companies, to the downstream series production facilities, and meetings with representatives of associations and politicians from the respective host countries.
Four countries in four days – in the fall of 2018, the VDWF (German Federation of German Toolmakers) visited toolmakers in Italy, Slovenia, Austria, and Germany for its Managing Directors' Meeting. With around 40 participants, the association toured a total of eleven companies: Engl, Emo, HRSflow, INglass, FCS, Elmann, Imas, Tecos, Gorenje, Haidlmair, and Jell.
Since its first issue in 2019, the association's magazine «VDWF im Dialog» has been produced entirely climate-neutrally. In doing so, the VDWF is not only protecting the environment but also calling on the industry to follow suit. With the support of the Bechtel printing company, the CO₂ emissions generated during printing are offset through the «Deutschland Plus Schwarzwald» climate protection project. Furthermore, only FSC-certified paper is used.
Every year, FernstudiumCheck – an independent evaluation portal for distance learning students – awards prizes to the best provider. Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, where the VDWF offers its degree programs, is also evaluated. The Center for Continuing Education (ZfW) at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences took first place in the «Most Popular Distance Learning Providers 2019» category.
The successful founding meeting of the «Market Mirror Toolmaking» cooperative marked the launch of an initiative to promote sustainability in tool, mold, and model making. The «Market Mirror Toolmaking» aims to ensure a practice-oriented company comparison and provide concrete recommendations for action. The goal of the initiative is to enable a company comparison for the industry and thus increase market transparency. The VDWF is serving as a partner, with association President Prof. Thomas Seul and Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter serving as members of the cooperative's board of directors and supervisory board, respectively.
A brochure for the young, potential industry players of tomorrow – this was the idea behind the development of the «up» magazine for young professionals by the VDWF. It offers a diverse mix of topics from the tool and mold making trade and, on the associated platform at www.vdwf.de, allows companies to advertise their apprenticeship openings in a structured manner and sorted by postal code, so that potential apprentices can find what they're looking for at a glance.
Around 180 participants – including entrepreneurs and association representatives from Slovenia, Austria, Italy, and South Africa – met at the foot of the Allgäu royal castles in Hohenschwangau for the XXL «totally wild» meeting. In addition to company visits to DMG Mori in Pfronten and Otto Bihler Maschinenfabrik in Halblech, exclusive expert presentations, and a keynote speech by Prof. Cornel Stan on the topic of «Automobility of the Future», the agenda also included networking with live music and finger wrestling.
«Young, high-quality, and entertaining» – with this jury distinction, the association magazine was honored with the 2019 mediaV Award in the «Best Association Magazine» category. The prize, presented by the trade magazine «Ververbändereport», honors outstanding communication projects by associations and organizations. Among other things, the comprehensive communications concept was praised for building bridges to the association's online presence. The lively, modern, and at times «boisterous layout» and the high proportion of images provide variety. The cover pages are aesthetically pleasing and always catch the eye. «Without exception, all members of the jury praised the high quality of the magazine», which thinks outside the box but, above all, highlights the association and its achievements.
The VDWF became the 22nd member of the International Special Tooling and Machining Association (ISTMA). This was announced by VDWF President Thomas Seul at the booth celebratory event at Moulding Expo 2019 in Stuttgart. With this, the association plays a major role in the exchange of experience and knowledge between companies worldwide.
The 13th edition of the «totally wild» Managing Directors' Meeting featured a completely new feature: for this special VDWF meeting, everyone saddled up for a Bike'n'Camp tour! After meeting at the campsite in the Swabian Alb, the participants pedaled over 100 km. In addition to visiting the tool specialists Paul Horn in Tübingen and Kiefer Werkzeugbau in Pfullingen, they also visited the Werz specialty hardening shop in Gammertingen. And while the tougher riders battled their way back up to the heights of the Swabian Alb, all the weary bikers could take the bus shuttle from Pfullingen back to the campsite.
The association is coming to your home! To quench the thirst for knowledge even in times of Corona, the VDWF created the online seminar «11 o'clock hole». Participants were able to further their education on changing industry topics and engage in lively exchanges in the free, 30-minute video conference every weekday at 11 a.m.
In close collaboration, colleagues from Schmalkalden, VDWF President Prof. Thomas Seul, and Prof. Stefan Roth, head of the VDWF working group «Additive Manufacturing», have jointly published a textbook with Hanser Verlag. «Plastics in Medical Technology» is designed as a guide for the development of medical devices and is available both as a hardcover and as an e-book.
The VDWF launched the «Spätschicht» (late shift) event – a digital format designed to foster professional exchange and collaboration within the association during the coronavirus pandemic. The online meetings quickly became a regular venue for discussions and input from the industry.
Digitalization boost in association work – At the end of September, the VDWF launched its new online event series, the VDWF Theme Days. In the «first season», around 120 companies presented their B2B activities online at 23 full-day events moderated by industry expert Richard Pergler. The presentations could be followed in real time via YouTube livestream.
«Moving in dynamic times» – that was the motto of the second Practical Toolmaking Forum, organized by the VDWF and the WBA Aachen Toolmaking Academy in cooperation with Moulding Expo. Moved online due to the pandemic, the forum received a strong response from the industry: Over 70 participants joined via Zoom, and around 250 more guests followed the stream on YouTube and Facebook. Top-notch speakers provided in-depth, practical input on digitalization and globalization.
Dirk Falke, chairman of the «Color Table Working Group» and owner of the Falke engineering firm, presented the committee's guidelines for CAD-supported tolerance transmission. The new framework is intended to facilitate collaboration between companies and help prevent errors.
For the first time in the history of the VDWF, the Annual General Meeting was held as a video conference. A total of 103 participants from all over Germany, as well as from Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein, attended the live meeting. In addition to regular agenda items—the reports of the President and Managing Director, the financial report, and the working group reports—Prof. Thomas Seul expressed his delight at the industry's positive embrace of the digital leap, with its 11 a.m. break, the late shift, and the theme days.
With its «Werkzeug-Lager» (Tool Warehouse), the Schmalkalden Brewery brews a beer specifically for toolmakers and all those tinkerers and hidden champions who always want to have an idea for their machines, a special lubricant on hand, and sometimes just a coolant for their brains. This special brew can be ordered online from the brewery for company parties or as a gift package.
Part-time study at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences – the topic of the first online press conference of the VDWF and the university. A true success story among the continuing education center's offerings in Schmalkalden are the six degree programs supported by the VDWF, with approximately 580 students to date. The content of these accredited degree programs was developed in collaboration with the VDWF and covers all aspects of toolmaking.
A roadmap toward resource-efficient and fair business practices in tool and mold making: This is the objective of the VDWF «Sustainability» working group. The aim is to demonstrate realistic ways for companies to consume fewer or less problematic resources and thereby gain competitive advantages. This ninth specialist group of the association began in mid-February 2021 with an online kick-off.
Help from the VDWF – not only a wild card in real life, but also in «Mouldmaker – The Game».
The card game is intended to help students and trainees learn the fundamentals of toolmaking and consolidate them in a fun way. The goal of the game is to collect a complete set of tools for their product. Joker and skip cards increase the dynamics. The card game was developed by Prof. Steffen Ritter and Simon Horrer at Reutlingen University. It was implemented in partnership with the Moulding Expo and the VDWF.
The VDWF dispatched 1,800 packages – approximately 9.5 tons – as part of the «Summer Surprise» campaign. Members, sponsors, partners, friends, and especially toolmakers in the DACH region were delighted with the surprise package. Included was, among other things, a beer keg, inviting companies to come together – not just for a beer drink, but also for professional collaboration. In addition to the drink and beer mats with VDWF and sponsor information, the association's package also included the card game «Mouldmaker – The Game».
The FDWF was founded in the spring on the initiative of the VDWF with 25 members, including 21 SMEs, the VDWF itself, the Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute, and Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences. The founding of the FDWF aims to further promote tool and mold making in Germany and its competitiveness. The primary goal is to strengthen the scientific side and transfer knowledge, thereby further advancing the entire industry and supporting the internationally leading position of toolmakers.
To raise political awareness of the importance of the industry, a round table was held in Haigerloch. Thomas Bareiß, a member of the Bundestag for the Zollernalb-Sigmaringen constituency, spoke with representatives and members of the VDWF in his capacity as the Federal Government Commissioner for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The event continued at the state level four weeks later, this time with Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, in attendance. The desire to engage in regular dialogue with politicians was also emphasized at this event.
«Japan meets Germany» was the title of the online discussion round in which toolmakers from both countries exchanged ideas in mid-March. The event was hosted by the Japanese industry organization JDMIA and the two German associations VDWF and VDMA Werkzeugbau. The second event, «Portugal meets Germany», also addressed challenges in their respective markets and ways to address them jointly.
At the mediaV Awards 2021 ceremony in Cologne's Musical Dome, in addition to three shortlist placements for the association magazine «VDWF im Dialog», a special award was presented: VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter was named «Association Communicator of the Year» by the jury. Susanne Schröder, editor-in-chief of the trade magazine «Kunststoffe», delivered the laudatory speech, highlighting Dürrwächter's outstanding commitment as a networker—especially during the challenging pandemic situation.
Developing innovations together: The «Road of Tooling Innovation» showcases partnerships between selected international toolmaking companies and renowned injection molding machine manufacturers. Initial results of these collaborations were presented during the «Virtual Innovation Day» at the Moulding Expo in June 2021. In addition, some concepts were previewed online at the VDWF Theme Days special. Interested parties could expect informative presentations – available in either German or English.
Not entirely unknown in the industry, but now officially working for the association, three new «players» have recently joined: Claudia Michel (center), previously a project employee at Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, is strengthening the Schmalkalden team as a contact for members and interested parties in eastern Germany. The economics graduate is responsible for trade fairs, delegation trips, and events. Marius Fedler (right), Head of Sales at the Lüdenscheid Plastics Institute and Managing Director of the Southwest Plastics Institute, is part of the Lüdenscheid team and the contact for the industry in northern and western Germany. The third new addition to the VDWF is Max Rohmer (left), who has been known for many years from his work on the VDWF trade fair stand. After completing his music studies, the 29-year-old has now joined the Schwendi team.
The VDWF aims to support its members with CE marking. The association's goal is to make certification for tool and mold making simple, clear, and practical. In addition, the VDWF, in close collaboration with experts and specialists from the tool and mold making industry, has initiated a working group and developed a guideline for the CAD-supported transmission of tolerances in mold and die making using color coding. VDWF members now have the opportunity to download the seals for the «Color Chart» and «CE» guidelines in various formats for further use on its website.
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The VDWF is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special issue of «VDWF in Dialogue». Topics in this issue include: Product and Design: «AWS Shopper – A Curiosity in Automotive History», Legal and Framework: «Help, I Have an ERP Problem!», Innovation and Technology: «Erosive Grinding: The Spark Must Always Fly!», Knowledge and Change: «Ready, Steady, Go – 30 Years of VDWF», and Leisure and Culture: «The VDWF Is Rubbing Off? A Search for Traces».
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In April, a delegation from the VDWF traveled to Berlin as part of the «totally wild» meeting of managing directors. There, they were welcomed to a lunch at the German Parliamentary Society. «These discussions are an important step toward raising the industry's visibility—both in terms of its significant status in Germany and its concerns and needs», said VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter. The meeting was initiated with the support of members of parliament Thomas Bareiß and Gerald Ullrich, both of whom already had connections to the industry.
Between June and October, the VDWF toured Germany, Austria, and Switzerland with referee legend Lutz Wagner as part of the VDWF's «Meeting Point Toolmaking» event. In addition to company presentations and tours of the host companies, Lutz Wagner delivered his keynote speech, «Decision-Making in Stressful Situations – Not Blowing the Whistle Is a Decision, Too». Association Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter also informed participants about current developments within the VDWF and invited attendees to a social networking event with culinary support and refreshments.
Mid-September was a «totally wild» four-day tour: The four-country trip in a luxurious VIP coach took them first to Austria and then on to northern Italy. Further stops in Switzerland followed the transfer to the Black Forest. Highlights between company visits during the VDWF tour included the highly communicative coach rides with two moderated discussion rounds and the evening events in Milan, on Lake Maggiore, and in Schwenningen, each of which the hosts had organized for the 35-person group.
What began as a VDWF working group with the goal of gathering experience with additive manufacturing processes and exchanging ideas with industry stakeholders kicked off the VDWF «Additive Manufacturing» practical forum in Ditzingen in October. Following the Toolmaking and Plastics Technology forums, this is the third practical forum initiated by the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers, offering participants the latest research insights coupled with a fruitful exchange of practical experience.
On the first evening of the K trade fair in Düsseldorf, the Dr. Richard Escales Prize was awarded for the ninth time. VDWF President Prof. Dr. Thomas Seul received the award in the «Research and Development» category for his commitment and outstanding achievements in sharing plastics technology expertise between different disciplines. In the «Industry» category, entrepreneur Kurt Gebert was honored for his commitment to promoting innovations in the field of plastics technology.
Plastics engineering in German-speaking countries: a demanding, yet often under-recognized field despite its relevance. A collaboration between professors from universities of applied sciences and universities of applied sciences in the field aims to change this. For the first time, 15 professors from the field from across Germany and Austria met at the KIMW in Lüdenscheid. The Plastics Institute and the VDWF provided a suitable setting for the event as hosts and supporters. Discussions covered technical topics ranging from polymer materials engineering to simulation and design to additive manufacturing, as well as the framework conditions for teaching, research, and study. This represents another step toward raising the profile of plastics engineering.
To kick off the new year, we've come up with a special object: a small but elegant bottle opener made of solid brass, manufactured in the foundry of Krause Präzisions-Kokillenguss GmbH. For the permanent mold casting process, the molten metal is poured into a permanent steel mold manufactured in-house, which can be reused again and again. Thanks to this special process, hardly any material is lost during production before the object enters the final processing stage. Along with the bottle opener, the epitome of «openness», we sent out our best wishes for a good start to the new year. We take great pleasure in exchanging ideas or initiatives with members, partners, and friends at any time. With an open mind. And while opening a cold drink together, perhaps other things can be opened in the VDWF network: the doors to businesses, the hearts of colleagues, or the ears to the concerns of toolmakers.
The VDWF has dedicated a dedicated working group to the topic of «sustainability». The participants have now jointly published a «Compendium for the Assessment and Design of Sustainable Business in Tool and Mold Making» as a guideline that supports companies in the industry with practical implementation tools for effectively integrating sustainability into their operations. «We want to contribute to solving global sustainability challenges while simultaneously strengthening the competitiveness of toolmakers», explains working group leader Dr. Wolfram Heger. Economic considerations are an essential component: «There is no way around proactive and company-specific sustainability management in tool and mold making». The compendium is available in German and English.
In March, representatives of the VDWF and industry stakeholders met with Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger and Barbara Fuchs, the Green Party's representative for small and medium-sized businesses in the state parliament, at Hoefer & Sohn in Fürth to discuss current challenges facing the industry. There are approximately 3,800 tool and mold making companies nationwide, around 20 percent of which are located in Bavaria. Hubert Aiwanger emphasized the importance of the topic, expressed his openness to ideas and suggestions during the discussion, and offered a follow-up appointment for further discussions.
The podcast «Einer für Alle» (One for All) explores association communication in its many facets. Christian Windeck, Managing Director of the agency «rheinland relations», invites experts from various associations to discuss the challenges of their work. VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter, winner of the mediaV Award for «Association Communicator of the Year 2021», was invited to share his insights with agency partner Fabian Diehr from wortundform. The conversation was so intense that two podcast episodes were created: «From 150 to 480 – How the VDWF Successfully Wins New Association Members» and «#verbandsliebe – Turning Members into Fans and the Managing Director into an Influencer», offering behind-the-scenes insights at the VDWF.
220 participants, almost half of the association's current 483 members, attended this year's Annual General Meeting on April 28th – a record. This number demonstrates, above all, that the tool and mold industry is keenly interested in sharing ideas. The event hosted the evening before by KrausMaffei in Parsdorf near Munich provided the perfect platform for professional networking in a refreshingly relaxed atmosphere.
The association now has a training officer on its team, whose mission is to inspire young people to pursue a career in tool and mold making. He is responsible for reaching out to and networking with apprentices and career starters, conducting various projects and offerings such as workshops and seminars, and activating and maintaining social networks. He also leads the apprentice trade fair tours, where interested apprentices can meet specialists from the plastics processing industry.
The VDWF «Sustainability/Future Viability» working group was awarded the jury's special prize for «Best Sustainability Initiative» in Cologne. Dr. Wolfram Heger, head of the working group, association president Prof. Thomas Seul, and VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter accepted the award from the expert jury, which particularly emphasized the initiative's industry relevance and member involvement in its citation. The «Sustainability Compendium» was developed to make accessible to the entire industry how not only the environment can be protected but also how economic processes can be designed efficiently. It is available free of charge to anyone interested as a concrete practical guide.
In 2023, one major event followed another – and the VDWF was there. At MedtecLive, the trade fair for medical technology in Nuremberg, around 40 tool and mold making companies and suppliers were represented at the VDWF joint booth, which was fully booked. A month later, the event took place at the Moulding Expo in Stuttgart, the largest tool and mold making event in Europe. With around 80 co-exhibitors, the VDWF implemented its largest joint booth to date. In the fall, the international plastics industry met at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, with the VDWF joint booth with more than 50 co-exhibitors right at the center. Then, in November, the Blechexpo took place in Stuttgart with 30 co-exhibitors.
The «Year-End Rally 2023», as VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter put it, was characterized by sold-out events and intensive discussions. December, he said, is not only the time to step on the gas again, but also to reflect on the past and strive for innovation. And so, in the last month of 2023 alone, the VDWF was pleased to welcome 15 new member companies. «The applications from all parts of Germany were received, some between Christmas and New Year's Eve», Dürrwächter reports happily. The VDWF is now the largest European network for tool and mold making. Wolpert Modell- und Formenbau from Bretzfeld near Heilbronn can proudly call itself its 500th member. The 8,000 LinkedIn follower mark was also broken at the end of 2023. With this in mind, the association warmly welcomes all new members and also welcomes the «old hands» to the new year. Ralf Dürrwächter: «We look forward to fresh ideas, innovative projects, and inspiring exchanges!»
In June 2024, the VDWF will launch its new event series, «Erodierer-Treff», which serves as a platform for industry representatives and is intended to promote the exchange between professionals in the EDM segment. With the Erodierer-Treff, the VDWF is inviting specialists in the field of spark erosion for an exclusive exchange for the first time. The Erodierer-Treff is planned as an annual event series at different venues and aims to provide an opportunity for constructive discussions about the latest developments and best practices in the industry. As a key technology in tool and mold making, the VDWF believes that greater focus on EDM is long overdue. Opportunities for dialogue within the industry, which is mostly made up of small, isolated companies or departments, have been limited to date. «With the Erodierer-Treff, we now offer a platform where experts and users can exchange ideas and learn from one another», explains VDWF Managing Director Ralf Dürrwächter.
To celebrate the 2024 Annual General Meeting and the record number of new members, the VDWF commissioned roll-up displays for all new members who joined last year. The 57 displays, individually printed with company logos, were on display at the event and highlighted the association's growth. Due to the positive feedback, the roll-up displays are now also available to existing members and can be ordered from the VDWF shop.
Legal certainty, climate protection, transparent working conditions, and, last but not least, proximity to service providers and a common language – there are many good reasons to award tool contracts to companies in German-speaking countries. To help them draw attention to these advantages, the VDWF provides its members with various tools: The roll-up display – prominently placed within their own company or mobile at trade fairs or other events – informs about the diverse benefits of local contracting. To spread the message via digital channels, the association offers graphics in various formats for download: Anyone who would like to actively contribute to strengthening the domestic toolmaking industry can use these images on social media platforms or on the company website. The graphics can be downloaded as JPG files from the download area of the VDWF website.
The spotting spray and associated cleaning spray were developed in collaboration between mouldINK and VDWF and are a must-have for every toolmaker. The spotting spray is characterized by its ease of use, precise and even color application thanks to a special spray head, and its heat resistance up to 200°C without loss of quality. The sprays were presented and distributed as a giveaway at the 2024 Annual General Meeting. They can still be ordered from the mouldINK online shop.
With the introduction of the new guideline, the VDWF provides all toolmakers with a checklist-style guideline that can be used to precisely specify the product to be manufactured together with the client, eliminating ambiguities and misunderstandings right from the quotation stage. Time-consuming queries, recalculations, or unscheduled rework can thus be kept to a minimum. The form is based on DIN ISO 16916 and is available in three versions (tools for die casting, injection molding, and for punching, bending, and forming technology). Conscientious application of the new guideline ensures that all aspects of design and production are explicitly documented in advance, enabling orders to be executed efficiently and smoothly, from the creation of the quotation to successful sampling.
On June 27, 2024, four events took place simultaneously at GF Machining Solutions in Schorndorf – a first for the VDWF. The day began with the VDWF «Erosion Erosion Meeting» and the VDWF «Additive Manufacturing» Practical Forum, where participants enjoyed an exciting program of expert presentations and networking breaks. The new Mill P 800 U S was presented at GF Machining Solutions' machine launch. The day concluded with a joint evening event, the «Toolmaking Meeting» featuring Lutz Wagner. In addition to the legendary referee's keynote speech, «Decisions in Stressful Situations – Not Blowing the Whistle Is a Decision», and an introduction to the hosts, there was plenty of time for networking and culinary delights.
The customers of many tool and mold manufacturing companies expect proof of the mechanical safety of their transport bridges. This guideline was developed to provide a quick and easy way to prove safety. By establishing clear requirements, calculation methods, and standards, the guideline aims to ensure that transport bridges are designed to meet the specific needs of tool and mold users. Implementing this guideline will provide designers with the necessary guidelines to quickly and easily construct transport bridges that meet the requirements for stability, load-bearing capacity, and durability.
For the first time, the VDWF participated with a joint booth at the Hein Technology Day in Langenhagen near Hanover, where all exhibiting companies had ample opportunity to network. Various experts also delivered presentations on industry-relevant topics on the «VDWF Stage», hosted by the association. Due to the positive response, a joint VDWF booth is also planned for 2025.
Under the slogan «No product without toolmaking – Think global, source local!», the VDWF launched a nationwide campaign in March to highlight the central importance of tool and mold making. At the same time, the campaign aimed to raise awareness and appreciation for the industry as the foundation of our prosperity. Further rounds of the campaign were launched at the Moulding Expo in May and the Blechexpo in September.
In 2025, the VDWF acquired its own van, which has since been on-site at events and trade fairs throughout the association's territory, delivering event equipment to the location. Printed with the VDWF logo on one side and the motif of the successful «Think global, source local!» campaign on the other, it also increases the association's visibility.
Stephan Berz, Vice President of Sales at Oerlikon HRSflow and brand ambassador for the VDWF, assumed the presidency of ISTMA Europe, the European arm of the International Toolmakers' Association, in February. He set the motto «Let's make some noise!» for his term and announced his commitment to vigorously representing the concerns of toolmakers.
At its Annual General Meeting on April 10, the VDWF announced the expansion of its board from four to five members. This is intended to distribute the growing responsibilities among additional members and specifically increase the visibility and impact of the industry. Association President Thomas Seul was confirmed in office. Andreas Rauchenberger assumed the newly created board position for «Young Talent & Next Generation», and Lars Neitzel assumed the board position for continuing education.
The association's magazine «VDWF im Dialog» was honored with the German Brand Award in Berlin in June, one of the most widely read awards for successful brand management. Produced by the Munich agency wortundform, the magazine impressed the 20-member jury in the «Excellence in Brand Strategy and Creation» category and received the award for outstanding brand work in the «Brand Communication – Print» category. In its citation, the jury praised the modern design, precisely tailored to the needs of the target audience, and the successful combination of technical topics with social perspectives.
The VDWF was on tour again, continuing its successful «Meeting Point Toolmaking» series with additional events. Handball world champion Dominik Klein was a featured speaker for the first time. The association also invested in new event equipment – thanks to its own lighting and sound technology (which is transported to the venue in the newly acquired VDWF van), events can be organized even more easily anywhere.
In a large-scale campaign, the VDWF sent printed coffee mugs to its members, highlighting the special advantages offered by advertising in one of the VDWF's media outlets: The association's magazine "im Dialog," the website, and the email newsletter provide information on industry, technology, and association news, offer an overview of current seminars and trade fairs, and thus regularly reach thousands of players in the tool, mold, and plastics industries.
