[Translate to Englisch:] v.l.n.r.: Steve Schumann, Ann-Christin-Hoyer, Kathrin Kromas
How are suppliers preparing for the coming years? This question was the focus of the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region’s Automotive Future Workshop, held on September 30, 2026, at the Onoldia Conference Center in Ansbach. Kathrin Kromas and Steve Schumann attended the event on behalf of the Cluster Mobility & Logistics.
Julia Büchler, known to many as a sports anchor for BR and ARD, led the morning’s proceedings. Fittingly, the day began with a few comparisons drawn from soccer, and the theme of teamwork carried through to the very end. Markus Mahle of Prognos AG provided the status report, drawing on analyses from the Dual Use Atlas, including figures for the Regensburg region. In the subsequent panel discussion, Klaus Ludwig from STech Defence—Schaeffler’s defense subsidiary—and Christopher May from the FAU-affiliated startup Nouma Autonomy demonstrated how expertise in automotive engineering is finding its way into new fields of application.
Particularly impressive was the discussion about the changes taking place at Federal-Mogul’s Nuremberg facility. Managing Director Helmut Albert, Works Council member Kilian Röck, and Roland Wehrer from IG Metall spoke candidly about what the transformation at the plant actually means and how it can be managed collectively. For Albert, one thing takes precedence above all else: a shared vision within the company.
In the afternoon, parallel sessions covered topics ranging from plastics technology to direct current networks and power electronics. During the Medical Valley EMN session on medical robotics, one idea from Stäubli stood out: Robots are the bridge that carries automotive expertise into the medical field.
Prof. Dr. Gunther Friedl, Executive Director of the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, wrapped up the session with his keynote address, “Innovation as a Team Sport.” What the foundation is building in Heilbronn—for example, through the IPAI—impressively demonstrates how ecosystems emerge that bring together companies, research, and talent.
In between, there was plenty of time to talk with participants and the TRANSFORM.EMN team. A heartfelt thank you to the organizers for a very successful event. We’re taking a lot of new ideas back with us to Eastern Bavaria.
NOTE
The event was part of the German federal government’s Transformation Networks (funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, BMWE). The Regensburg-based project transform.r supports companies in navigating structural change in the automotive industry.