Tools shape the products of our daily lives. They are behind every industrially manufactured product – whether plastic toothbrushes, aluminum gearbox housings, or sheet metal body parts. Without tool and mold making, the serial production of many goods would not be possible. Nevertheless, the industry often remains hidden from the general public – despite being one of the key industries in our entire economy.
Highlighting the importance of local tool and mold making
Under the slogan «Without toolmaking, there is no product – Think global, source local!» the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers (VDWF) is drawing attention to the central importance of the industry for industrial value creation with a nationwide poster campaign. Large posters are displayed at a total of 40 locations, depicting the production of a plastic product using injection molding based on a piece of furniture in a striking motif.
The prosperity of the production country Germany is based on the manufacturing industry. The goal of the VDWF campaign is to strengthen awareness and appreciation for tool and mold making as the foundation of our prosperity. «We understand production! – The strength of German toolmakers lies in their know-how», explains VDWF President Prof. Thomas Seul. «As craftsmen and 'hidden champions' with immense knowledge and rich experience, they form the basis for countless other industries to which they supply: automotive, medical and pharmaceutical, electronics, packaging, and many more.»
Good reasons for tools and molds from the German-speaking region
Sourcing tools locally, in the spirit of «Think global, source local!», has a number of advantages. When it comes to spatial or cultural proximity, quality in relation to process capability, delivery speed, legal certainty, language, sustainability, reliability, and other factors, locally established toolmakers are always the better choice compared to their competitors from distant countries «and in this context are always worth their price», explains Seul.
With their know-how, the many SMEs and family businesses that shape the tool and mold making industry here not only represent important suppliers for large corporations but also stand for quality, innovation, and reliability. However, they increasingly feel the pressure of competition from countries that have long recognized the value of the industry and massively subsidize their companies. This enables firms, even from the other side of the world, to make financially better offers in Europe. However, lower prices do not compensate for the loss of all the advantages that local toolmakers provide.
Prof. Thomas Seul puts it succinctly: «Those who source their production means regionally today secure advantages in customer relationships such as process knowledge, quality, and flexibility, while investing in the future viability of their own industry – thereby strengthening the innovative capacity of the entire economic area and ultimately preserving jobs and thus the income of families!»
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