For the 22nd time, the best tool and mold making companies in German-speaking countries will be honored in this year's “Excellence in Production” competition. During the jury meeting on September 17, 2025, the competition jury nominated eleven companies for the final round of the “Toolmaker of the Year 2025” title. These companies were able to prove themselves in a special way among this year's field of participants. The “Toolmaker of the Year” award ceremony will take place on November 12, 2025, in the Coronation Hall of Aachen City Hall.

The eleven finalists were selected by a ten-member jury from the fields of science, federal politics, associations, and industry after experts from the Machine Tool Laboratory (WZL) at RWTH Aachen University visited the top-ranked companies and subjected them to a detailed audit. The winner will receive a trophy that is coveted throughout the industry, which will be presented during the festive evening event in Aachen's Coronation Hall by last year's winner, the toolmaking department of Oechsler AG in Ansbach.

Two-stage Process Determines the Best Toolmaker in the German-speaking Region

After registering at www.excellence-in-production.de, companies were able to complete the first part of the questionnaire between December 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025. This comprised a selection of around 30 key questions, which were evaluated after the first phase of the competition and made available to participants in the form of an initial key figure analysis. In the subsequent second round of data collection, companies had to complete the questionnaire with in-depth questions by May 1 in order to qualify for the final. A team of experts from the WZL at RWTH Aachen University then visited the 15 highest-ranked companies on site. In a detailed audit, performance along the entire process chain was recorded and evaluated. On September 17, 2025, the jury nominated eleven of the companies visited for the final, from which the overall winner will ultimately emerge.

By prevailing against the rest of the field in a highly competitive environment, the finalists have confirmed that they are already among the best tool and mold making companies in the German-speaking world. In addition to technological performance and organizational excellence along the value chain, the jury's evaluation criteria also include a robust and sustainable corporate orientation as well as current sustainability activities.

Partners from the Toolmaking Industry Support the Competition

The “Excellence in Production” competition is supported by Hasco Hasenclever GmbH + Co. KG as the main sponsor, as well as WBA Aachener Werkzeugbau Akademie GmbH, Kunststoffcluster Österreich, Swissmem, the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), and the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers. Additional supporters of the competition include the trade fair for additive technologies “Formnext.” VDI nachrichten and the trade journals FORM+Werkzeug and werkzeug&formenbau are media partners.

International Colloquium “Toolmaking with a Future” Again on the Day After the Award Ceremony

On November 13, 2025, one day after the award ceremony, the 24th International Colloquium “Toolmaking with a Future” will take place in Aachen – as usual at the event location “Das Liebig.” This industry gathering offers participants practical recommendations for strengthening their competitiveness in Europe. Under the motto “Toolmaking today – how competitive, innovative, and future-proof are we tomorrow?”, current developments will be discussed from an organizational and technological perspective. In addition to the specialist presentations, guests at the colloquium can look forward to a panel discussion on the future of toolmaking in light of the current challenges facing the industry, with participants from industry and science, as well as an industry exhibition featuring leading technology and solution providers for toolmaking.

Overview of Finalists by Category in Alphabetical Order

Category “Internal toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees”
• ifm electronic gmbh, Tettnang
• Roto Frank Austria GmbH, Kalsdorf bei Graz (Austria)

Category “Internal toolmaking with 50 or more employees”
• BMW Fahrzeugtechnik GmbH, Krauthausen
• Craemer GmbH, Herzebrock-Clarholz
• Hirschvogel Umformtechnik GmbH, Denklingen
• Welser Profile GmbH, Ybbsitz (Austria)

Category “External toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees”
• BBG GmbH & Co. KG, Mindelheim
• Formotion GmbH, Wilnsdorf
• Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH, Lüdenscheid

Category “External toolmaking with 50 or more employees”
• RICO Elastomere Projecting GmbH, Talheim bei Wels (Austria)
• Schneider Form GmbH, Dettingen unter Teck

Those interested in attending either event can register here.