Participation is free for all companies, and each participant receives an individual key figure report that serves to specifically classify them within the industry context. The competition kicks off on January 12, but interested companies can already register on the competition website (www.excellence-in-production.de) or via email (eip@wzl.rwth-achen.de).
The WZL of RWTH Aachen is looking for the best toolmaking company in the German-speaking area for the 23rd time. Participation is free and uncomplicated for all companies. Companies can already register for the competition at www.excellence-in-production.de or by email at eip@wzl.rwth-aachen.de. The competition process for 2026 will start on January 12 with the opening of the questionnaire phase for the companies. The questionnaire phase is the first stage of a multi-stage selection process. The questionnaire addresses and details the areas of toolmaking in various categories with a total of about 100 questions.
The questionnaire phase is divided into two parts; Part 1 includes about 1/3 of the questions and covers all relevant core areas within the company, while Part 2 delves deeper into these areas. This division allows companies to receive an initial evaluation of the key figures collected in Part 1 during the ongoing competition process. To receive this, companies must complete the approximately 32 questions from Part 1 by March 1, 2026. In the second part of the questionnaire phase, which ends on May 1, 2026, companies will then have the opportunity to qualify for the final round by submitting the complete questionnaire.
For evaluation, the team of experts from the WZL of RWTH Aachen creates a ranking of the participants based on a scientifically founded key figure system. The best companies are then analyzed in detail in an on-site audit by the experts from the WZL of RWTH Aachen as the next step in the multi-stage selection process. Based on the key figure analyses from the questionnaire and the evaluations from the on-site visits by the experts, an independent jury consisting of representatives from science, industry, politics, and professional associations will decide who will be the Toolmaking Company of the Year 2026.
For participation in the competition, it is not relevant from which area of tool and mold making the companies come. Companies from all areas of tool and mold making can participate, from injection mold manufacturers to sheet metal processing experts and specialized technologies. This also applies to the form of the company. Both independent toolmaking companies and internal toolmaking departments in manufacturing companies can participate in the competition. The evaluation in the competition takes place in four different categories to ensure fair competition among different company forms. In addition to the overall winner across all categories, a category winner will also be awarded in each of these four categories.
The categories are:
'External Toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees'
'External Toolmaking with 50 or more employees'
'Internal Toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees'
'Internal Toolmaking with 50 or more employees'
Additionally, two more company visits will be raffled among all competition participants. The visited companies will receive comprehensive feedback on organizational and technological action areas in toolmaking based on the impressions of the Aachen toolmaking experts.
The multi-stage selection process and the targeted focus of the questionnaire on essential content allow companies to express their interest in participating in the competition with minimal effort at the beginning. For inquiries during the further course of the competition, the contact persons at the WZL of RWTH Aachen are available to ensure the correct recording of all key figures. The evaluation includes about 100 key figures, which can also serve as starting points for improvements in the participating companies.
Excellence in Production: The winners of the year 2025
The competition has established itself as a benchmark for assessing the performance of companies in the tool and mold making industry for over 20 years. In the context of the competition in 2025, the toolmaking of BMW Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH with the Eisenach plant not only proved itself as the category winner in the category 'Internal Toolmaking with 50 or more employees' but also as the overall winner.
BMW stood out particularly for its holistic strategic positioning, high process maturity, and extraordinary innovative strength of the toolmaking at the Eisenach plant. The award ceremony for the trophy and the coveted title of Toolmaking Company of the Year took place on November 12 in front of more than 200 guests during a festive award ceremony at the Aachen City Hall.
In addition to the overall winner, the other category winners were also honored.
Roto Frank Austria GmbH from Kalsdorf emerged as a pioneer in the field of sustainability in toolmaking in the category 'Internal Toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees'.
In the category 'External Toolmaking with 50 or more employees', RICO Elastomere Projecting GmbH from Tahlheim near Wels won the category victory. RICO impressed the jury with both an exemplary training program and as a highly specialized provider for the production of highly productive and reliable elastomer and injection molding tools.
In the category 'External Toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees', FORMOTiON GmbH achieved category victory through its uniquely high degree of digitization, particularly in indirect, non-value-adding processes.
Support for the competition from strong partners
The competition 'Excellence in Production' is supported by the companies Hasco
Hasenclever GmbH + Co. KG as the main sponsor, as well as the WBA Aachen
Toolmaking Academy GmbH, the Kunststoffcluster Österreich, Swissmem, the Association of German Tool and Mould Makers e.V., and the Association of German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers e.V.
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