Kräuter Mix expands its network
In summer 2022, the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt, the district of Kitzingen, the Lower Franconia Trade Board, the Würzburg-Schweinfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce and 20 local companies joined forces to establish a research institute for robotics, artificial intelligence and digitalization. The mission of this technology transfer center is to develop automation methods and technologies in a range of production processes for increased innovation and growth.
The founding companies, which are co-funding the initiative with the Free State of Bavaria, all come from different industries in the Kitzingen area, ranging from software development to gypsum and electric engine production to herb processing. “Through the institute, we can benefit from new scientific discoveries. By leveraging robotics and links to artificial intelligence, we can mitigate the skilled worker shortage while simplifying work in production and warehouse logistics,” explains Plant Manager André Metz, who is responsible for coordinating Kräuter Mix’s involvement in the project.
The technology transfer center in Kitzingen is scheduled to start operations on October 1, 2023. Regular meetings and plant tours are taking place at the companies involved in order to familiarize them with each other’s research interests and develop the network. Most recently, Kräuter Mix invited the project members to take a look behind the scenes of industrial herb and spice production at the company’s sites in Abtswind and Wiesentheid.
Plant Manager André Metz gave the participants a two-hour guided tour of the extensive halls and explained the different production and logistics processes – from the delivery of raw materials and stock protection treatment to the company’s machine-based refinement processes, including cleaning, cutting, grinding, mixing and microbial reduction, shipping and the use of driverless transport systems. A company presentation from Managing Partner Bernhard Mix and a joint discussion rounded off the company tour at Kräuter Mix.