„We live in the future“

Mastering digital challenges

The "Change" category pays tribute to small and medium-sized businesses that are successfully tackling the digital challenges of the future and are performing pioneering work in their respective industries. The Hidden Champion Award is presented in collaboration with Maleki Communications and the BVMW. An advisory board with highly distinguished members helps the judging panel to select the winners. Comprising successful company founders, managing directors and academics, the two committees have a broad combined level of professional abilities and experience. The award ceremony took place at the Palmengarten botanical garden in Frankfurt am Main on 15 November. The managing directors of toolcraft, Bernd Krebs and Christoph Hauck, went home with the prize for 3rd place in the Change category.

Industry 4.0 across the board

"We live in the future," says Bernd Krebs, founder and owner of toolcraft, perfectly describing his company’s philosophy. "An important part of this is having a strong team and we would like to take this opportunity to express our immense gratitude to our staff." The number of people working at toolcraft has increased continuously since the company was founded in 1989, seeing it grow from a one-man business into an enterprise with 345 employees. A lot has changed during this time, including the addition of new business areas such as 3D metal printing and robotics. The degree of automation has also risen. "Client requirements are becoming increasingly diverse, while delivery times are becoming shorter and shorter. 3D metal printing means we are fully prepared to meet these challenges. Another effective concept equipping us for the future is our automated CNC machining solution," adds Christoph Hauck. toolcraft was named a Hidden Champion for the rapid way in which it has developed and implemented Industry 4.0 in all areas.