Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology
ReTraNetz – Regional Transformation Network for the Vehicle and Supplier Industry Berlin-Brandenburg
The automotive and supplier industry is undergoing a complex transformation: The climate crisis requires a consistent switch to electromobility, and digitization is profoundly changing product development and production processes. In addition, the automotive industry must address the opportunities and risks of future mobility concepts and services, which require a broader range of competencies than vehicle production.
The ReTraNetz BB project addresses these complex challenges. The goal is to provide effective support for transforming the automotive and supplier industries located in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.
Effectively supporting the realignment of the automotive industry in Berlin and Brandenburg
Supported by the ministries responsible for economic affairs in Berlin and Brandenburg, a cross-state consortium of business promoters, social partners, educational and scientific institutions has joined forces in the ReTraNetz project. The partners aim at accelerating transformation processes in the regional automotive and supplier industry in such a way that the performance of local automotive companies is maintained and expanded. SMEs and their employees are a particular focus of the project.
The project is structured into two sections that build on each other:
- Development of a future-oriented and detailed economic guiding principle for the local automotive industry and a transformation strategy based on it
- Development and implementation of packages of measures that build on the strategy and ensure the most concerted and sustainable transformation possible for automotive companies in the Berlin-Brandenburg region
Strategy development builds on an analysis of the initial situation of the industry in the region and takes into account economic and technological as well as social and ecological aspects and goals. The cross-state innovation strategy innoBB 2025 and other regional strategies and initiatives in industrial, digital and energy policy are specifically integrated into the strategy development.
In terms of content, the transformation strategy focuses on the key development drivers for the industry, reflecting opportunities and challenges:
- Innovative mobility concepts that offer potential for diversification in the automotive industry, but also attract new competitors – e.g. from the tech sector
- Product-related, technological innovation potentials that take account of sustainability requirements – with a focus on "electrification of the powertrain", but also with regard to the innovation-driving role of consistenzt digitization and automation of vehicles
- Process-related technological innovation potentials that are finding their way into automotive production with the increasing digitalization and integration of product creation (development tools, manufacturing technology, process control, logistics)
The ReTraNetz Consortium
Berlin Partner
Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH (BPWT)
BPWT is the state of Berlin's company for business and technology promotion and location marketing. Berlin Partner coordinates ReTraNetz-BB and leads strategy development, communication and integration of further partners as well as scouting and evaluation of mobility concepts, technologies and services.
bbw Hochschule
bbw Akademie für Betriebliche Weiterbildung GmbH
Within the ReTraNetz project, bbw is responsible for a work package dedicated to developing and promoting new business models and innovation hubs in the field of mobility based on digitalization and networking. Based on a needs assessment in the regional vehicle industry and digital economy, innovative business models are developed in workshops and expert discussions. These are then tested in real laboratories and implemented in cooperation projects and innovation hubs.
Fraunhofer IPK
Fraunhofer-Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology IPK
Fraunhofer IPK has already gained experience in the development and industrial implementation of application-oriented solution approaches and continuous network management with the Industry 4.0 Transfer Center within the framework of the Berlin Center of Excellence Digital Networking (LZDV) and the application laboratory "Digital Integrated Production (dip)". The knowledge gained in this process will be shared with the partners and expanded in the project to enable the transfer of knowledge from research and development in the field of future mobility to SMEs in particular. In addition, sustainable cooperation and networking between science and industry will be initialized in order to transfer the technological core competencies and results from the research project into innovative solutions for industry. In this way, companies can be supported in developing and testing the key technologies identified in the project.
IG Metall und bfw
IG Metall Berlin-Brandenburg-Sachsen und bfw Unternehmen für Bildung
IG Metall with its four local offices and bfw are jointly representing the employees in the automotive industry in the capital region in the ReTraNetz mission statement process. In this context, IG Metall and bfw are focusing on issues such as retaining, recruiting and developing trained workers, new forms of work, securing the future viability of the vehicle industry and jobs in the capital region. In addition, there is the digitalization of products and processes, setting the framework for industrial policy and communicating it to federal and state politicians.
IWF der TU Berlin
Institute of Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF) of TU Berlin
The Institute of Machine Tools and Factory Management (IWF) of the TU Berlin, headed by Prof. Dr. h. c. Dr.-Ing. Eckart Uhlmann has great experience in the field of manufacturing and the associated process chains. Within the project, it will not only act in the development of novel and sustainable process chains, but also ensure knowledge transfer from research to companies. Together with Fraunhofer IPK, IWF will set up a real laboratory to illustrate newly developed process chains and their digitalization. It will also initiate new projects from within the network during the project period, identifying current challenges in industry and offering targeted workshops with and for companies in the regional vehicle and supplier industry.
VME
Verband der Metall- und Elektroindustrie in Berlin und Brandenburg e.V. (VME)
The Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg (VME) is the association of companies in the largest industrial sector in the region. As a social partner, the association is maintaining a regular dialog with politics, administration and trade unions. Around 110,000 people work in the member companies, including in the automotive industry and rail vehicle construction, mechanical engineering, energy technology and electrical engineering and electronics.
WFBB
Economic Development Agency Brandenburg GmbH (WFBB)
The Economic Development Agency Brandenburg GmbH (WFBB) is contact for investors, local companies and technology-oriented start-ups in the state of Brandenburg. The WFBB offers all business and employment promotion services from a single source – from support for relocation and expansion to innovation, internationalization and networking as well as acquisition and qualification of trained workers. It also acts as the state's energy agency. It supports further development of the industry-related economic clusters in the state of Brandenburg and the German capital region.