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Industry 4.0, or the fourth industrial revolution, is aimed at establishing smart factories where different machines and systems are combined in a self-controlling, intelligent network using advanced digital technology. One of the trailblazers of this development is cts GmbH. The Bavarian systems integrator is focused on industrial automation solutions and has just presented a novel system that unerringly picks mixed-up workpieces from a container and feeds them into the manufacturing process.

A floor is much more than just the ground you walk on. Of course, it has to be functional and durable, but it is also an important element of the interior design of a room or building and contributes significantly to the overall atmosphere and style. Dinesen from Rødding in Denmark is the country’s leading manufacturer of exclusive plank floors. Looking back on a long history, quality and craftsmanship have always been paramount for Dinesen. Determined to lead the family enterprise into a bright future, owner and Managing Director Thomas Dinesen successfully unites tradition with modern spirit.

The outer skin of a building fulfils many functions. It must keep heat in and the weather out, it must protect from noise and fire, and it must look good. All of this and more is promised by the high tech ceramic building products made by Wienerberger GmbH in Hanover, a subsidiary of Wienerberger AG in Austria.

Stationary shops are the flagship of retail brands. They are the place where consumers get in touch with the products, so a thought-out store concept becomes increasingly important, especially against the background of the growing competition from the online market. At least as important as the store concept is its execution, and that is where Schwitzke Project GmbH comes into place. The company based in Düsseldorf offers turnkey construction and shopfitting of retail spaces, being able to accompany its clients from the first idea for a project to the opening of a store and even beyond.

As an investment vehicle, real estate is hard to beat. A steadily appreciating capital asset that provides a reliable income stream is the modern equivalent to a gold mine. However, in a complex world that is constantly changing, it takes an expert to understand and navigate the intricacies of the commercial real estate market. That expert is Jones Lang LaSalle, the world’s leading commercial real estate services and investment management firm. It has been represented in the Czech market by Jones Lang Lasalle, s.r.o. since 1992.

In France and other European countries, there are countless toolmaking businesses. But probably few like the 2MI Group. Thanks to its expertise in metrology and precision manufacturing, the medium-sized enterprise offers tooling and prototypes for function testing, geometry checking and accurate assembling of cars and aircraft parts, thus ensuring top level quality.

Paper is used in massive amounts for the primary, secondary and tertiary packaging of various goods. The dynamic development of the packaging industry has led to the constant growth of the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. Paper chemicals are essential raw materials required for the production of specialty paper and lend specific properties to finished paper and cardboard. One of the leading producers of high-quality paper chemicals is the Italian Mare Group, which is headquartered in Ossona.

Globalization and increasing environmental awareness are only two of the mega-trends which are influencing the automotive market. In many European countries, the automotive markets have changed completely in recent years. This is also true for France. Between 2004 and today, the number of garages has halved. Spray Gun Import, based in La Chapelle-Saint-Luc, is a respected wholesaler for the automotive aftermarket. One of the company’s flagship products is the SATA paint spraying gun.

The olive tree, Olea europaea, is an ancient plant of the Mediterranean with its symbolism rooted deeply in ancient Greek mythology and even before. Some olive trees still alive today have survived millennia. But beyond its mythical character, the olive tree is also an all-round talent when it comes to the use it has for us humans, one of them being the olives themselves. Italian company Granata Antonio & c. Srl combines old tradition with modern technology, processing olives and delivering typical Mediterranean flair to our tables.

A big wallet does not always mean a lot of cash. Many of us have big wallets because we carry around a lot of plastic cards, such as our ID card, health insurance card, cash and credit card and several admission and customer loyalty cards. In order to have these important documents right at hand if needed and to protect them against damages, it is useful to put them into casings. Auxence SAS, based in Châteaubriant in northwestern France, specializes in the production of such PVC casings. The company offers a wide portfolio boasting innovative and colourful designs and personalized solutions. Recognizing a continuous trend towards dematerialization, the company is also working on completely new applications.

Located in Vorarlberg, the westernmost province of Austria, Brandnertal is a picturesque valley surrounded by steep mountains, an enclosed valley at an altitude of 850 to 1,000 m. A tourist resort both in winter and summer, Brandnertal is well known for its family-friendly approach and the huge variety of facilities for children, families and nature lovers. Bergbahnen Brandnertal GmbH, the operator of the close-knit network of cable cars and lifts, is an integral part of the offer, providing easy access to the mountains, villages, sports and leisure facilities.

They are basically nothing more than automatic valves that discharge condensate and some non-condensable gasses; however, steam traps are crucial for many different applications. TLV France is a prominent supplier of steam engineering products and services. Based in Saint Priest near Lyon, TLV is an expert in steam-related challenges.

Freight forwarders across Europe suffered following the economic crisis which started to take hold of the continent in 2008. Not JP Spedition & Transport s.r.o., though. The Czech provider of transport services invested in modern, low-emission vehicles and built up lasting partnerships with its clients to sustain its competitive edge. The company is on a stable growth path and has just opened a brand-new truck and trailer repair center.

The war for talent is continuing. Corporations as well as small and medium-sized enterprises are competing for qualified young people as well as for experienced professionals. As there is a lack of skilled personnel in almost all industries and market sectors, more and more companies are deciding to cooperate with a professional recruitment or staffing partner in order to make sure that they find the right candidates. One of the pioneers in the recruitment market is Randstad. Worldwide, the company is acknowledged as a top name in its field. Its subsidiary Tempo-Team SA, based in Brussels, is a leading player in the Benelux countries. Following a pragmatic business approach, the company is in the position of a market challenger.

Nowadays basically anything can be done online. Books, furniture, even groceries can be purchased on the Internet, and online banking has long become commonplace. Even stocks can be bought and sold on the web with ease, as proven by Keytrade Bank sa, based in Brussels.

Every day we move through and within a variety of spaces – space in which we live, recreational space, space for work, learning, shopping or to wait. Because different spaces serve different purposes, it only makes sense that they are designed according to their usage. This becomes particularly tricky if the use of a space varies within the day. In Finland, dSign Vertti Kivi & Co in Helsinki is the address to go to when it comes to magnificent, high-quality interior design. Since its foundation, the company has implemented an impressive number of projects, and now the flourishing business is expanding abroad.

At first glance, aviation and the real estate sectors do not seem to have anything in common. The reality is that the synergies are probably few and far between, but nevertheless, the Belgian Noordco Group operates successfully in both sectors. The company’s secret to combining such an unlikely pairing? The common vision and values that Noordco applies to both areas of its business.

The name says it all – Grande Meccanica S.p.A. in Italy does things on a larger scale than most. Its product range comprises pressure vessels and reactors that can be as big as 10 m in diameter and 100 m in length. Steel construction on this scale takes a particular set of skills and the relevant experience, both of which Grande Meccanica possesses in plentitude. The company’s competence is much in demand around the world and more than 90% of the contracts it wins are for foreign customers.

Businesses are started for many different reasons. For the founders of Pilgrim Export Aps, the reason was to create beautiful designs from the heart. The Danish company sells jewellery, watches and sunglasses, mainly at music festivals at first. That was more than 30 years ago. Pilgrim now operates internationally and has a nine-digit turnover, but the designs still reflect the initial values of spontaneity and authenticity.

The processing of raw animal skin into leather is a complex process which requires know-how and top-quality raw material. Today, most tanning companies are in the hands of big luxury concerns, such as Hèrmes or Prada. Only a handful of smaller players are able to compete against the giants of the industry in the long run. One of them is Weinberger Leder GmbH, based in Weinheim, Germany. Thanks to the profound know-how of the owners, Uwe Holubeck and Gerd Knapp, and their team, the company ranks among the top names in box calf leather.