Johannes Ullrich has been the new Managing Director of the FDWF since 1 January 2026. The 36-year-old mechanical engineer, who has a background in research, previously served as a project manager and takes over from Ralf Dürrwächter, who will remain with the research association in an administrative role. “We’ve effectively swapped roles,” explains Ullrich. “Ralf Dürrwächter played a central role during the start-up phase with his experience and network, whilst I operated more in the background. Now that the substantive work is gaining momentum, the focus is increasingly shifting to the research projects that form my main area of expertise, although the networking behind the scenes continues.”

Also new to the expanded team is Susanne Schröder, spokesperson for the VDWF. In future, she will also take on interface topics relating to politics and research at the FDWF. This is intended to strengthen and strategically develop the exchange with funding institutions, academic partners and political contacts.

In terms of content, the personnel changes mark a new phase for the FDWF: “Since our foundation in 2021, we have initially focused on the fundamentals. Now, however, we are increasingly moving towards applied research. The system is in place, the project business is up and running. The next step is to bring the content into the workplace,” says Ullrich, describing the new development.

Willy Reichert and Jonas Keller (from left) from Fraunhofer IWU during the interim evaluation of the ReIteratE project – reducing manual iteration steps in the tooling-in process for forming tools

Research with an impact: Projects and prospects

With a total funding volume of around 2.6 million euros and more than 30 applications submitted, the FDWF has further strengthened its role as a key driving force for pre-competitive research in tool and mould making. The strategy days focused on the interim reports from four approved research projects:

• ReIteratE – Reduction of manual iteration steps in the running-in process of forming tools (Fraunhofer IWU)
• Robust – Wear-resistant, optically structured tool coatings for the production of high-quality-looking plastic components from recycled materials (Fraunhofer IWM)
• ExAM – Extrusion tools based on additive manufacturing (Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, University of Paderborn, Fraunhofer IAPT)
• EWAM – Efficient toolmaking with additive manufacturing (Fraunhofer IWU)

The projects presented made it clear: the FDWF is positioning itself as a pioneer for practice-oriented research with concrete benefits for everyday industrial operations. During the discussion on the second day of the event, it became clear that this approach needs to be systematised far more effectively. The guiding principle developed from this is ‘Pragmatic Innovation’ – meaning research that makes a difference precisely where it directly helps the industry: namely, in the workplace.

In future, projects will be assessed on whether they can deliver tangible results within three to five years of completion – for example, in the form of process guidelines, software solutions, modular design approaches or concrete recommendations for the workshop floor. The transfer to projects under the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) is also explicitly taken into account. This nationwide funding scheme run by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs supports small and medium-sized enterprises in developing market-oriented technologies – a logical next step for research approaches that offer the potential for productivity gains or new business models.

To ensure that such projects are even more precisely tailored to the needs of companies, the FDWF will in future place greater emphasis on structure, commitment and direct company involvement: through a two-stage pitch process, clearly defined deliverables and company mentors from among its members, the transfer to practice is to be considered from the outset and actively supported.

New project platform: exchange, transparency, inspiration

Another key priority for the FDWF is not merely to manage research, but to bring it to life. At the Strategy Days, the association unveiled a new project platform – a tool designed to do just that.

The platform provides members with centralised access to all ongoing research projects – including their status, content, contact persons and development stages. The platform also facilitates exchange amongst members. It provides a space for feedback, brief insights or discussion topics, and helps to make the often long-term research projects understandable within their broader contexts.

“Research projects are sometimes like jigsaw puzzles. Our platform helps members pick out the pieces that are relevant to their operations,” explains Ullrich.

Mathias Gebauer and Serhii Vakulenko from Fraunhofer IWU during the interim evaluation of the EWAM project – Efficient Toolmaking with Additive Manufacturing

Shaping the future together: a landmark meeting

Feedback on the Strategy Days was overwhelmingly positive, driven by various reports from research institutions, tangible results, constructive dialogue and a palpable willingness to break new ground together. The momentum of the past year was evident not only in the atmosphere but also in concrete progress: from the new pitch procedure and the digital platform to the guiding principle of ‘Pragmatic Innovation’, which focuses even more strongly on practical applicability and operational benefits.

Special thanks go to host AHP Merkle, whose Gottenheim site not only provided a professional setting but also made a significant contribution to the success of the Strategy Days through its openness and willingness to engage in dialogue. Christen Merkle, the company’s managing director and himself an FDWF member, summed it up in his closing remarks: “Especially in difficult times, we must not succumb to complaining; rather, we must move forward together with the energy palpable in this group. We will only make progress if we take action!”

Source | FDWF