Manuela Kessler03.12.2025Lohr am Main / Germany | PI 050/25
Bosch Rexroth involved in “Next Level Mittelstand” initiative
Bosch Rexroth has joined Next Level Mittelstand GmbH as a shareholder
"Next Level Mittelstand" initiative aims to drive digitalization and increase the competitiveness of medium-sized companies
Member companies jointly develop step-by-step instructions for implementing digital measures
As a shareholder in the “Next Level Mittelstand” initiative, Bosch Rexroth is working with five other shareholders and 23 member companies to drive digitalization in the SME sector. (Image source: Bosch Rexroth AG)
Bosch Rexroth is engaged as a shareholder in the "Next Level Mittelstand" initiative for the digital transformation of medium-sized companies. The current six shareholders and 23 members of the initiative, including SMEs, start-ups, IT professionals, and consortia, aim to jointly advance digitalization in medium-sized companies and provide practical guidance for its implementation.
According to the German Economic Institute, more than 99% of companies in Germany belong to the SME sector. They employ more than 70 percent of the workforce and generate more than half of the net value added. Thomas Fechner, Member of the Executive Board and responsible for the factory automation business at Bosch Rexroth, points out the potential: "Digitization will open up enormous opportunities for SMEs in the future to further strengthen their competitiveness. The ‘Next Level Mittelstand’ initiative offers the ideal platform for jointly tapping into this potential and making it easier for SMEs to access."
In terms of technology, the increasing level of digitalization requires a fundamental change – away from proprietary systems and towards open, modular and scalable solutions and decentralized architectures. Artificial intelligence will further accelerate this trend in the future. Bosch Rexroth has been actively driving this development forward for years with its automation system ctrlX AUTOMATION and app technology. As a shareholder of the ‘Next Level Mittelstand’ initiative, we want to actively support medium-sized companies with our expertise and work with other members of the initiative to shape the digital future," summarizes Fechner.
The "Next Level Mittelstand" initiative was founded in April 2024 to support German SMEs on their way to the digital future. It links leading technology providers with medium-sized companies in order to exchange experiences and develop strategies and tools that strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the long term. In workstreams, member companies identify the challenges of digitalization and work together to develop so-called cooking recipes. These are proven step-by-step instructions that companies can use to implement digital measures step by step. Cooking recipes are available to all member companies and can be implemented independently or via service providers.
For example, Bosch Rexroth is currently working with six other companies on a product carbon footprint (PCF) workstream. Once the regulatory requirements have been clarified, the project aims to develop a standardized PCF calculation procedure and exchange best practices.
As one of the world’s leading suppliers of drive and control technologies, Bosch Rexroth ensures efficient, powerful and safe movement in machines and systems of any size. The company bundles global application experience in the market segments of Mobile and Industrial Applications as well as Factory Automation. With its intelligent components, customized system solutions, engineering and services, Bosch Rexroth is creating the necessary environment for fully connected applications. Bosch Rexroth offers its customers hydraulics, electric drive and control technology, gear technology and linear motion and assembly technology, including software and interfaces to the Internet of Things. With locations in over 80 countries, around 32,600 associates generated sales revenue of 6.5 billion euros in 2024.
Basic Information Bosch
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. It employs roughly 418,000 associates worldwide (as of December 31, 2024). The company generated sales of 90.3 billion euros in 2024. Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. With its business activities, the company aims to use technology to help shape universal trends such as automation, electrification, digitalization, connectivity, and an orientation to sustainability. In this context, Bosch’s broad diversification across regions and industries strengthens its innovativeness and robustness. Bosch uses its proven expertise in sensor technology, software, and services to offer customers cross-domain solutions from a single source. It also applies its expertise in connectivity and artificial intelligence in order to develop and manufacture user-friendly, sustainable products. With technology that is “Invented for life,” Bosch wants to help improve quality of life and conserve natural resources. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 490 subsidiary and regional companies in over 60 countries. Including sales and service partners, Bosch’s global manufacturing, engineering, and sales network covers nearly every country in the world. Bosch’s innovative strength is key to the company’s further development. At 136 locations across the globe, Bosch employs some 87,000 associates in research and development.
At HANNOVER MESSE, Bosch Rexroth will present numerous new products for connected hydraulics, industrial automation, and the electrification of mobile machines.
With the Automax 600, Bosch Rexroth has developed a training system for both initial and further education, which brings abstract digitalization content to life and shows students the direct results of their work in a practical manufacturing context.
