No plane, no train – just muscle power, willpower and the firm determination not only to talk about change, but to achieve it in good time. That was what motivated Jung, a member of the management board at mould maker Heck & Becker. The destination of the tour was the place where the European die-casting industry met to work together on a new direction. ‘Out of the comfort zone, into real dialogue,’ as Andre Weißbenner, CEO at Heck & Becker, put it, while bringing his colleague's conference attire to Milan, which would certainly have suffered in the saddle bag of the bicycle. Benni Jung's arrival was more than a feat of athleticism – it became a symbol of the spirit of this event.
‘Less past, more future’
From the outset, the EUROGUSS Executive Circle was not intended to be a debating club. This year, it became clear that anyone who talks about die casting must also want to shape the future. More than 70 decision-makers from all over Europe – foundry operators, machine builders, mould makers and OEMs – came together not to complain, but to get down to business. ‘Less past, more future’ was the motto. And rarely has it been as fitting as this summer in Lombardy.
The topics? Explosive. The tone? Open and appreciative. The tenor? Hope is not a strategy. Instead: speed, solution orientation, implementation.
Keynotes and workshops focused on artificial intelligence, new business models, predictive maintenance, servitisation and sustainability – buzzwords that often fall flat in presentations elsewhere. In Milan, however, they were linked to concrete approaches in open discussion. The exchange along the entire value chain was particularly important: OEMs, foundries and equipment suppliers discussed the current challenges of the European market situation together – directly and on an equal footing.
New paths, new alliances
"The EUROGUSS Executive Circle has once again proven itself to be a central platform for strategic decision-making. We are not creating another loose discussion group or lecture event, but rather a community that is actively committed to the future of the European die casting industry with concrete projects, ideas and collaborations," explains Christopher Boss, Executive Director of EUROGUSS. The many positive responses that the EUROGUSS team received during and after the event show that this approach is well received.
Instead of worst-case scenarios, the focus was on new approaches. How can innovation reduce dependence on volatile markets? What advantages can the industry gain from AI? What alliances are needed for European industry to regain its confidence? These are questions that have been simmering in the industry for a long time – and they were openly discussed in Milan.
This was complemented by practical workshops – such as Kai Dippe's on the concrete application of AI – which focused not only on the technological aspect, but also on the employee. Or Katharina Krimmer's on visibility through B2B marketing, which is no longer seen as an accessory, but as a strategic lever. This changes the communication and self-image of a company and an industry.
‘European Diecasting Network’
One concrete result of the Executive Circle is the ‘European Die Casting Network’ (EDCN). Over 40 participants decided not only to establish this network, but also to fill it with content right away. For Siegfried Heinrich, Managing Director of Schaufler Tooling, this was ‘my personal highlight.’ ‘The very open and honest discussion between OEMs, foundries and equipment suppliers about the challenging market situation in Europe, as well as initial approaches on how we as a die casting network can successfully shape this together, was the most important topic for me,’ said Heinrich.
‘For me, it was the clear focus on future viability – technologically, organisationally and culturally,’ says Weißbenner. He continues: ‘It wasn't about describing existing structures, but about thinking up new approaches together.’ The first step has been taken – and with an ambition that goes beyond networking: more lobbying, more exchange, more Europe.
