Contract signed at Kräuter Mix
Two years of extensive preparations are finally paying off: the top representatives of the 22 founder companies, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the Trade Board, the district of Kitzingen and the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt have signed the joint contract for the new Technology Transfer Center (TTZ) Kitzingen, Germany. The celebratory event was hosted by Kräuter Mix, one of the corporate sponsors of the research facility for robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalization. The signing of the contract marks another major project milestone as the institute heads toward its opening in October 2023.
Managing Partner Bernhard Mix welcomed 60 representatives from business, science, politics and the media to Abtswind and explained the company’s decision to join the founders’ consortium: “When IHK CEO Dr. Sascha Genders approached Kräuter Mix about supporting the TTZ and joining the project as a corporate sponsor, we didn’t have to think twice! After speaking with Frank Albert, the district of Kitzingen’s business development officer, we immediately agreed to participate. Having a technology transfer center right on our doorstep in Kitzingen is a very welcome addition for us. The institute is the perfect fit for our company’s strategic direction. And countering the shortage of skilled workers is only one factor. Through its participation in the TTZ, Kräuter Mix aims to further improve process efficiency with robotics and automation, expand the digital plant infrastructure to sharpen the company’s in-house core competencies and turn Abtswind where we are headquartered and the entire region into an established hub of industrial production.”
In a company presentation, Bernhard Mix showcased the extent to which Kräuter Mix is already leveraging robotics, automation and artificial intelligence to operate at the cutting edge of technology in production and warehouse logistics. For example, the family-owned company uses more than 30 state-of-the-art, product-specific systems to refine air-dried herbs and spices for the food, pharmaceutical and pet food industries. In addition, driverless transport systems enable automatic loading and unloading of goods headed to the stock preservation treatment. A tour of the plant, meanwhile, gave the visitors a clear insight into the production and logistics processes in the factory halls.
For his part, Bernhard Mix is certain that the Technology Transfer Center, offering applied research and a solid partner network, will help Kräuter Mix leverage robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalization further to optimally position the company for the future. With the foundation agreement signed by the corporate sponsors and thanks to additional financial support from the State of Bavaria, the research facility has now secured funding for the next five years.