The ongoing economic uncertainty and the structural change of many traditional sales markets continue to pose significant challenges for tool manufacturing. It is therefore all the more important for companies to regularly assess their future viability and clearly position their competitive standing. For over 20 years, the Machine Tool Laboratory WZL of RWTH Aachen has been awarding the best tool and mold making companies in the German-speaking region as part of the renowned competition 'Excellence in Production'.
This year, the overall victory goes to the tool manufacturing of HAIDLMAIR GmbH at the Nußbach site in Austria. The company prevailed against a strong field of participants and particularly impressed the jury with extraordinary process control and the successful application of the principles of industrial series production in custom manufacturing.
HAIDLMAIR GmbH: Manufacturer of highly specialized injection molding tools with outstanding process control
The jury named the outstanding process control and the focus on a clear growth strategy for the long-term strengthening of the tool manufacturing location in Europe as decisive for the overall victory in the competition 'Excellence in Production 2026'.
In addition, the tool manufacturing at the Nußbach site focuses on the use of innovative manufacturing technologies to enhance tool performance as well as extensive measurement technology and automation solutions in mechanical production. This is supported by the development and application of customized software solutions within the corporate group.
The training of new skilled workers is also advanced through a well-equipped training workshop and innovative training concepts, directly contributing to the future security of tool manufacturing in the DACH region.
In summary, the tool manufacturing of HAIDLMAIR GmbH at the Nußbach site presented itself as an innovative and exceptionally capable company that sets new standards for the future of tool manufacturing through its process control, standardization, and automation.
HAIDLMAIR is a manufacturer of injection molding tools for the highly efficient production of beverage crates, storage and logistics containers, pallets and pallet boxes, recycling containers, as well as technical and automotive parts. The headquarters in Nußbach, with over 300 employees, is the main site of a corporate group with eleven companies in five countries and over 600 employees. In addition to the site in Nußbach, HAIDLMAIR GmbH also has other production locations in Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. Additionally, four service centers are available for tool maintenance.
Also best external tool manufacturing with 50+ employees
In addition to the overall victory, the jury of the competition declared the external tool manufacturing of HAIDLMAIR GmbH the winner of the category 'External Tool Manufacturing with 50+ Employees'.
As further finalists in this category, the jury awarded Braunform GmbH from Bahlingen and Fritz Stepper GmbH & Co. KG from Pforzheim with a certificate.
Victory in the category 'External Tool Manufacturing with less than 50 Employees'
goes to Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH
The victory in the category 'External Tool Manufacturing with less than 50 Employees' this year goes to Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH from Lüdenscheid.
Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH from Lüdenscheid particularly impressed the jury with its pragmatic digitalization solutions along the upstream process chain as well as during tool creation. Furthermore, the company is sustainably strengthening the industry by co-founding the 'Lokaltermin Sauerland', which creates a foundation for networking tool manufacturing companies within the region.
Additionally, Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH places a focus on training more skilled workers. This focus on employees within the company is also reflected in a consistently high level of expertise among the staff. In summary, the tool manufacturing is characterized as a competent problem solver with a very young team, strong network, and pragmatic digitalization solutions.
Founded in 1994, Klaucke & Meigies Formenbau GmbH is a family-run tool and mold making company. The company develops and manufactures high-precision injection molding tools for thermoplastic and thermosetting applications with 17 employees and 6 trainees, including for the medical, automotive, electrical, IT, and rail transport industries. The range of services includes new tools and prototypes as well as sampling, maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of existing tools.
As another finalist in the category 'External Tool Manufacturing with less than 50 Employees', this year Brandt GmbH from Inzersdorf im Kremstal in Austria was awarded.
Victory in the category 'Internal Tool Manufacturing with 50+ Employees'
goes to Ypsomed AG
Best 'Internal Tool Manufacturing with 50+ Employees' in 2026 was the tool manufacturing of Ypsomed AG from Burgdorf in Switzerland.
The tool manufacturing of Ypsomed AG impressed the jury with a very high level of process standardization as well as extraordinary technological capability, which is enabled, among other things, by a modern and automated machine park.
The high degree of automation is evident both in the use of individual automations and in the extensive establishment of machine connections in the area of sink erosion and milling. This, along with the company-wide focus on specific product segments, enables the tool manufacturing to efficiently produce injection molding tools for the company. The company's commitment to strengthening tool manufacturing in the DACH region in the future is underscored by the recent opening of another highly automated location in Solothurn.
Ypsomed AG manufactures self-injection systems for liquid medications. At the Swiss site in Burgdorf, the tool manufacturing employs 109 staff and 17 trainees to produce high-precision injection molding tools for in-house production. Traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art technology, multi-cavity tools, and high standardization are skillfully combined.
Another focus is on training. With the expansion in Solothurn, additional training positions have been created, allowing Ypsomed AG to strengthen expertise, nurture talent, and enhance the competitiveness of tool manufacturing in Switzerland.
Other finalists in the category 'Internal Tool Manufacturing with 50+ Employees' include Hirschmann Automotive GmbH from Rankweil in Austria, Hirschvogel Umformtechnik GmbH from Denklingen, and Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG from Detmold.
Victory in the category 'Internal Tool Manufacturing with less than 50 Employees'
goes to Böllhoff Produktion GmbH
The winner in the category 'Internal Tool Manufacturing with less than 50 Employees' is Böllhoff Produktion GmbH from Bielefeld.
Böllhoff Produktion GmbH stands out as an automated tool manufacturing company with a clearly defined strategy. The jury particularly highlighted the modern knowledge management for the long-term safeguarding of expertise and the direct involvement of employees in the continuous development of tool manufacturing.
Furthermore, toolmaking places a clear focus on the establishment and software-supported visualization of shop floor key figures for the direct control of toolmaking. The establishment of a company-wide education campus underscores the focus on the long-term strengthening of production as well as toolmaking in the DACH region.
As a family-run company, Böllhoff has stood for long-term success through innovation and customer proximity in 360° connection technology since 1877. The needs of customers are understood, allowing for connections that optimally fit their requirements. The company relies on innovative, sustainable, and economical solutions along the entire value chain of its customers. Around 3,300 employees at the headquarters in Bielefeld and within the global corporate network shape the future of connection technology.
Other finalists in the category 'Internal Toolmaking with fewer than 50 employees' were GIRA Giersiepen GmbH & Co. KG from Radevormwald and the
Karl SIMON GmbH & Co. KG from Aichhalden.
The special award 'Newcomer of the Year' goes to Hirschmann Automotive GmbH.
The special award 'Newcomer of the Year' is presented to companies that have participated in the 'Excellence in Production' competition for the first time, successfully faced the competition, and have already impressed with outstanding performance in their first year of participation.
The winner of the special award 'Newcomer of the Year' is Hirschmann Automotive GmbH from Rankweil, Austria.
Hirschmann Automotive GmbH particularly impressed the jury with its strong focus on standardization in processes and technology within the technologically well-equipped toolmaking sector. In addition to highly efficient tool production, this standardization enables innovative and ecologically as well as economically sustainable tool concepts. Furthermore, the location in Rankweil is characterized by the use of additive manufacturing systems and a well-equipped training workshop.
In summary, the toolmaking of Hirschmann Automotive GmbH presented itself as a globally operating tool supplier with very high development know-how, which participated in the competition with extraordinary success during its first participation.
Hirschmann Automotive was founded in 1959 in Rankweil (Vorarlberg, Austria) and is now an internationally leading development and manufacturing partner for connectors, cable assembly, sensors, high-voltage applications, as well as stamping and forming technology, with around 7,100 employees at 13 locations worldwide.
Toolmaking has been the technological backbone of the company for over 50 years. Around 360 employees work at seven locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and America within the global toolmaking network. Rankweil serves as the competence center with over 100 employees and more than 50 precision machines in six technology clusters, from which toolmaking operates as a one-stop shop.
Also nominated for the special award 'Newcomer of the Year' was Brandt GmbH from Inzersdorf im Kremstal, Austria.
Excellence in Production: Selection of the best toolmaking companies in the German-speaking region
The researchers from Aachen, together with an expert jury, also identified the best tool and mold making companies in the German-speaking area in four categories and a special award this year. The basis for the detailed comparison was an extensive questionnaire and on-site visits to the top-ranked companies during the summer months.
On this basis, the ten jury members from industry, politics, associations, and science determined twelve finalists, the winner of the special award, the category winners, and the overall winner.
The 'Excellence in Production' competition took place for the 23rd time this year. The day after the award ceremony, on January 1, 2000, the 25th International Colloquium 'Toolmaking with a Future' took place. Under the motto 'From Form to Platform – Strong in Toolmaking in Europe', current developments from an organizational and technological perspective were discussed, and solutions for future challenges were jointly found. Contributions from industry and research illustrated where the journey can lead in the coming years: What must companies do today to still be able to produce tomorrow?
New opportunity next year
In the coming year, the best German-speaking tool and mold making companies will once again compete against each other. Interested parties can already find detailed information about the competition at www.excellence-in-production.de and can pre-register via info@excellence-in-production.de. All participants in the competition will receive an individual evaluation of their current positioning in the industry, including their strengths and areas for improvement, after the end of the competition year.
Starting from December 1, 2026, companies can register in advance for the competition via email before it officially starts in early January 2027. From then on, they can fill out the first part of the questionnaire with a small number of central questions. Based on this, they will already receive a preliminary evaluation of selected key figures during the ongoing competition. In the second phase of the competition, more detailed questions must be answered, and participants will receive a more comprehensive evaluation of key figures. Additionally, two extra on-site visits by the Aachen toolmaking experts will be raffled among all participants in the second phase.
This year's competition is supported by HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co. KG as the main sponsor, the KC Kunststoffcluster Österreich, and the Swiss Toolmaking Association Swissmem, the Association of German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers e.V., the Association of German Tool and Mold Makers e.V., and the WBA Aachen Toolmaking Academy GmbH.
The Machine Tool Laboratory WZL of RWTH Aachen has stood for successful and forward-looking research and innovation in the field of production technology for more than 100 years. The promotion of innovation and competitiveness in the industry through pioneering fundamental research, applied research, and resulting consulting and implementation projects is the focus. The Machine Tool Laboratory is led by Professors Wolfgang Boos, Christian Brecher, Michael Riesener, and Robert Schmitt.
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