The future now: How AI, climate protection and new work are changing mechanical engineering in NRW – and strengthening competitiveness.
The ProduktionNRW cluster brought together decision-makers from companies, institutions, networks, politics and other stakeholders at the “Dialogue on the future prospects of NRW mechanical and plant engineering” at the Industrie-Club Düsseldorf on 02.02.2026. The approximately 100 participants discussed key issues for the future of an industry that is one of the economic pillars of the state with a good 200,000 employees.
In his welcoming address, Wolf D. Meier-Scheuven, spokesperson for the ProduktionNRW cluster, also highlighted the start of the new funding period and invited participants to play an active role in shaping the cluster’s future work. He identified demographics and the shortage of skilled workers, digitalization and Industry 4.0, decarbonization, energy efficiency and sustainability as well as changing globalization as key areas of focus. A key message of his speech and the event is: “The perspective we take today will determine our scope for action tomorrow. And that is precisely why this dialog is so important today: because it creates space to share, question and develop perspectives.”
Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther (German Economic Institute) then set the contextual framework with his introductory lecture “How can we shape our economic future?”, which opened up the economic perspective on geopolitics, structural change and transformation. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed this up with a keynote speech on impulses for a strong mechanical engineering location in NRW – expressly as a bridge to the subsequent discussion. Both emphasized the importance of mechanical engineering as a technological driver – for networked production, sustainable value creation and innovative strength in international competition.
The subsequent panel discussion with Verena Thies (VDMA Vice President), Wolf D. Meier-Scheuven, Mona Neubaur and Prof. Michael Hüther focused on current challenges. Verena Thies emphasized that everything must be done to maintain local value creation in NRW and Germany. According to Wolf D. Meier-Scheuven, investments in new digital business models and product innovations are crucial for this. Not only the excellent research landscape in NRW was emphasized as a competitive advantage, but also the close cooperation in clusters such as ProduktionNRW, because the connection between industry, cluster structure and science in NRW remains strong (Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther).
At the same time, the export-oriented industry is under strong pressure – among other things due to US tariffs and distortions of competition from China; free trade agreements with India and Mercosur, for example, are seen as a positive signal. The panelists were unanimous: Germany cannot survive as an export nation without structural reforms and relief for SMEs – and the state government is focusing on accelerated production digitization and Industrial AI as a new business model for NRW (Mona Neubaur), among other things.
Based on the study “Update Wachstumsmotor Maschinenbau NRW” by the ProduktionNRW cluster, four central trend lines were explored in greater depth: the changing world of work, the opportunities of digitalization and new business models, climate protection as a driver of innovation and the positioning of mechanical and plant engineering companies in global competition. These topics were further fleshed out in the subsequent forums and supplemented by best practices from corporate practice.
The participants’ contributions made it clear that the mechanical and plant engineering industry in NRW does not see itself as a victim of the transformation, but as an active shaper of it. Companies are investing in automation, AI and data-based business models while at the same time driving forward climate-friendly production processes. Politics and research support this development through qualification initiatives, innovation funding and infrastructure measures.
Joint conclusion of the dialog: NRW has a strong industrial base – but future viability can only be achieved through consistent investment, bold decisions and close cooperation along the entire value chain. Dr. David Blass, Cluster Manager ProduktionNRW and Managing Director of the VDMA regional association NRW, concluded: “The mechanical and plant engineering industry will be different in ten years’ time than it was ten years ago and is currently, but one thing is certain: NRW will be a strong and important location for this industry.”
Organizer
The event is offered by ProduktionNRW. ProduktionNRW is the cluster for mechanical engineering and production technology in North Rhine-Westphalia and is run by VDMA NRW. ProduktionNRW sees itself as a platform for networking, informing, and marketing companies, institutions, and networks with each other and along the value chain. A significant portion of the services provided by ProduktionNRW are funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.