A look back: The IGZ INNOVATION DAYS 2025
The IGZ Innovation Days took place in Falkenberg on 14 and 15 October 2025. Around 170 participants from the logistics and production industry came together to discuss the latest trends and technologies in logistics and digital manufacturing.
Once again, the event offered a balanced mix of inspiring customer presentations, practical deep dive sessions, first-time panel discussions and innovative solutions. From AI-driven warehouse strategies to plug-in robotics solutions to SAP-supported worker assistance systems. Innovation Days 2025 was once again a resounding success and an impressive showcase of innovative strength in logistics, transport management and production.
Keynotes, customer presentations & deep dive sessions
The IGZ Keynote, presented by Managing Directors Johann Zrenner and Alfred Meyer, provided exciting insights into the current status and future development of logistics and production. The focus was on trends, current challenges and highlights from successfully completed projects.
In their strategic outlook for the SAP Digital Supply Chain, Florian Kuchta and Michael Körner from SAP SE highlighted, among other things, intelligent, sustainable and resilient manufacturing with SAP Digital Manufacturing, new options for warehousing and transport with S/4HANA, and AI integration with SAP Joule.
The customer presentations provided practical insights into successful projects:
- Bilstein Group presented its scalable and highly automated logistics solutions with SAP EWM/TM, including global SAP EWM rollout and SAP EWM best practice for AutoStore.
- Siemens Healthineers reported on its SAP EWM template with RISE strategy for the global rollout of production logistics and direct control of automated warehouses from the cloud.
- Karl Storz presented SAP DM for innovative medtech production with intelligent assembly guidance, qualification-based worker guidance and 100% traceability in a validated environment.
- Uelzena demonstrated its digital transformation from paper to performance with SAP DM in milk processing and the transition from media discontinuity to MES intelligence.
- WAGO demonstrated its zero-touch logistics in its new central warehouse and shared its experiences in successfully managing a large-scale logistics project.
The Deep Dive Sessions offered comprehensive insights into topics relevant to practice:
- The future of the supply chain: Robotics as the key to flexible intralogistics, AMR fleet management with VDA5050 and AI-driven optimisations with concrete project experience.
- SAP Digital Manufacturing: Worker terminals, production operator dashboard & designer, and test automation with SAP CALM
- Process industry: Best practices from successfully implemented projects and highlight functions of SAP DM
- Next Level Transport Logistics: Secure migration from LE-TRA to SAP TM and new potential in transport logistics
Panel discussions: Practical insights and lessons learned
A particular highlight of the IGZ Innovation Days 2025 were the panel discussions, held for the first time, which enabled direct exchange between experts, decision-makers and participants.
In the panel discussion ‘Germany as a logistics location – competitive or left behind?’, experienced supply chain experts discussed the challenges facing Germany as a logistics location – from dilapidated infrastructure and a shortage of skilled workers to geopolitical uncertainties. At the same time, Germany's strengths were highlighted, such as its central location, qualified workforce and process reliability.
Key learning: Despite global challenges, the industry is clearly committed to Germany as a location and is using digitalisation and automation to secure competitive advantages.
The second discussion, ‘Overcoming challenges: strategies for efficient production,’ focused on the world of production in the face of supply bottlenecks, skills shortages and increasing innovation speeds. Industry experts shared their experiences with SAP Digital Manufacturing (DM) – from selection and implementation to integration into existing systems and initial successes in productive use. Particular highlights were the modular structure, simple S/4HANA integration, practical evaluations and scalability for international rollouts.
Key learning: A strategic, flexible MES such as SAP DM is becoming a key component for future-proof production because it enables transparency, efficiency, and continuous development.
Both discussions showed that open exchange on an equal footing provides valuable impetus for how companies can make their logistics and production competitive and future-proof, even under difficult conditions.
IGZ best practices & live demonstrations at the Innovation Centre
The IGZ Innovation Centre, redesigned in 2024, offered over 500 square metres of space to experience IGZ best practices for SAP EWM/MFS, SAP TM and digital manufacturing up close. Over 30 live demonstrations enabled participants to test innovative solutions such as AI, zero-touch and green (CO₂ savings).
Highlights from the live demonstrations:
- SAP Warehousing: Smart Quality Gate – HAWK as the ‘eye of logistics’, Move by Robots for autonomous transport robots, and Multi Order Matching for AI-based picking control.
- SAP Transportation: Tour Tracking App for mobile transport execution and Extended Express Ship Interface for carrier integration.
- SAP Automation: Pick by Robot – LUKE4 with 100% scanning and labelling, Smart Logistics Cockpit as a logistics control centre, and Smart Slotting for AI-based storage strategies.
- SAP Manufacturing: Assembly by Motion – IDA3 as a worker assistance system, as well as Fill + Pack and Flow + Pack solutions for filling and packaging in batch and flow production.
IGZ Zoiglabend: Networking in a traditional atmosphere
The first day of the IGZ Innovation Days came to an end at the picturesque Falkenberg Castle – with the traditional IGZ Zoigl evening. In an atmospheric setting, participants gathered over Zoigl beer and Bavarian specialities to round off the day in convivial company. The focus was on networking. The relaxed atmosphere provided ample opportunity to make new contacts, deepen existing relationships and exchange impressions of the day's diverse events.
The Zoiglabend combined culinary delights with regional tradition and provided the perfect setting for stimulating conversations, new ideas and personal exchanges – entirely in the spirit of the IGZ Innovation Days.
Outlook
The IGZ Innovation Days 2025 impressively demonstrated how the combination of artificial intelligence, automation and sustainability will shape the future of logistics and production. Discussions with speakers, SAP experts and SAP customers provided valuable insights for the digital transformation of the industry.
We would like to thank all participants and look forward to seeing you again at the IGZ Innovation Days 2026!
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