Strategy Days 2026 of the FDWF

Since January 1, 2026, Johannes Ullrich has been the new managing director of FDWF. The 36-year-old mechanical engineer with a research background was previously active as a project officer and replaces Ralf Dürrwächter, who will remain in an administrative role within the research community. 'We have basically made a swap,' explains Ullrich. 'Ralf Dürrwächter played a central role during the setup phase with his experience and network, while I have worked more in the background. Now that the substantive work is gaining momentum, the focus is increasingly shifting to the research projects that are my main focus, while the networking work continues behind the scenes.'

Also new to the expanded team is Susanne Schröder, spokesperson for VDWF. She will also take on interface topics around politics and research at FDWF in the future. This aims to strengthen and strategically further develop the exchange with funding institutions, scientific partners, and political contacts.

The personnel restructuring marks a new phase for FDWF: 'Since our founding in 2021, we have initially dealt with the fundamentals. Now, however, we are increasingly moving towards applied research. The system is in place, the project business is running. The next step is to bring the content into the companies,' Ullrich describes the new development.

Research with impact: Projects and perspectives

With a managed funding volume of around 2.6 million euros and more than 30 submitted applications, FDWF has further strengthened its role as a central driver for pre-competitive research in tool and mold making. The focus of the strategy days was on the interim reports from four approved research projects:

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  ReIteratE – Reduction of manual iteration steps in the onboarding process of forming tools (Fraunhofer IWU)

• Robust – Wear-resistant, optically structured tool coatings for producing high-quality-looking plastic components from recycled materials (Fraunhofer IWM)
• ExAM – Extrusion tools based on additive manufacturing (University of Schmalkalden, University of Paderborn, Fraunhofer IAPT)

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  EWAM – Efficient tool construction with additive manufacturing (Fraunhofer IWU)

The projects presented made it clear: FDWF positions itself as a pioneer for practice-oriented research with concrete benefits for industrial everyday life. During the discussion on the second day of the event, it became clear that this claim should be systematized much more strongly.

The guiding idea developed from this is 'Pragmatic Innovation' – meaning research that reaches where it helps the industry directly: namely in the workplace.

In the future, projects will be measured by whether they can deliver tangible results within a period of three to five years after completion – for example, in the form of process guidelines, software solutions, modular design approaches, or concrete recommendations for action at the workbench. The transfer to projects of the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) will also be explicitly considered.

This nationwide funding format of the Federal Ministry of Economics supports small and medium-sized enterprises in developing market-oriented technologies – a logical follow-up option for research approaches that have the potential for productivity gains or new business models.

To ensure that such projects are even more tailored to the needs of companies, FDWF will increasingly focus on structure, commitment, and direct company involvement: With a two-stage pitch process, clearly defined result formats, and company sponsors from the membership circle, the practical transfer should be considered from the outset and actively supported.

New project platform: Exchange, transparency, impulses

Another central concern of FDWF is to not only manage research but to make it lively. A new project platform of the association was presented at the strategy days, which enables exactly that.

Members receive a central access point to all ongoing research projects – including status, content, contacts, and development steps. The exchange among each other is also supported through the platform. It provides space for feedback, short impulses, or discussion starters and helps to make the often long-term research projects understandable in their contexts.

'Research projects are sometimes like puzzles. Our platform helps members pick the right pieces for their operation,' explains Ullrich.

Collaboratively shaping: a meeting with signal effect

The feedback on the strategy days was overwhelmingly positive, driven by various reports from research institutions, tangible results, constructive dialogue, and a palpable willingness to jointly explore new paths. The dynamics of the past year were reflected not only in the atmosphere but also in concrete progress: from the new pitch process to the digital platform to the guiding idea 'Pragmatic Innovation,' which aims even more strongly at applicability and benefits in the workplace.

Special thanks go to host AHP Merkle, who not only provided a professional framework with his location in Gottenheim but also made a significant contribution to the success of the strategy days with openness and willingness to engage in dialogue. Christen Merkle, managing director of the company and himself an FDWF member, summed it up in his closing remarks: 'Especially in difficult times, we must not fall into lamenting; rather, we must move forward together with the energy palpable in the room. We can only progress if we take action!'

FDWF wants to carry this momentum forward – into project work, into transfer, and into collaboration with its members. The next strategy days are planned for January 2027. Location and date will be announced in due time.

Contact:

www.fdwf.de