News


German Chancellor visits Beckhoff at Hannover Messe

May 2025 News


From left: Chancellor Olaf Schol; Hans Beckhoff managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation; Stéphane Dion, Canada’s special envoy for Europe and the European Union.

On March 31, 2025 as part of the traditional Hannover Messe opening tour, acting federal chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz visited Beckhoff Automation, a company headquartered in Verl, Germany. He was accompanied by Stéphane Dion, Canada’s special envoy for Europe and the European Union. Canada is this year’s partner country for Hannover Messe. Hans Beckhoff, managing director and owner of Beckhoff Automation, presented his company and its comprehensive expertise in the field of software and artificial intelligence.

This year, one of the themes of Hannover Messe is “Shaping the future with technology”. Beckhoff Automation has been a pioneer in the field of PC-based control technology for 45 years. With its revolutionary futuristic technology, the company regularly pushes the performance limits of automation. Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the high-tech company’s booth in Hanover again this year to see the current applications for artificial intelligence in an industrial environment.

The federal chancellor was accompanied by a delegation of around 50 guests including Stephen Weil, the minister president of Lower Saxony, and Belit Onay, the mayor of Hanover and around 100 journalists.

Hans Beckhoff warmly welcomed this eminent delegation. He then explained the broad spectrum of PC-based control and drive technology: “We manufacture sophisticated high-tech products that are developed by a real hive of the brightest minds working together within our company. It is our job to develop products and automate production processes so that they consume fewer raw materials and less energy than in the past.”

The Beckhoff TwinCAT control software plays a central role in powerful automation solutions. It transforms almost every PC-based system into a real-time controller and, with its modular structure, unites all the necessary control functions, including PLC, motion control, machine safety, measurement technology, image processing and artificial intelligence. AI in particular opens up immense potential, for example in developing machines and systems faster and more efficiently. TwinCAT CoAgent, the powerful Beckhoff tool for AI-supported engineering, is crucial here. TwinCAT CoAgent is a personal digital assistant for engineers that revolutionises the entire engineering workflow. Chancellor Scholz was able to see this in person, and by entering a simple prompt in TwinCAT CoAgent he created a control programme that made a Beckhoff XPlanar mover hover in a circle. The federal chancellor and Canadian minister were impressed. Hans Beckhoff stated: “Smart implementation of artificial intelligence provides both our customers and us with a crucial competitive advantage. We have already seen an increase of 10 to 30% in terms of engineering efficiency across various projects.”

New automation technology from Beckhoff comprises the following product segments: industrial PCs, I/O and fieldbus components, drive technology, automation software and control cabinet-free automation.


Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Meeting the Western Cape’s occupational health and safety needs
News
“A-OSH EXPO Cape Town is a dedicated platform where visitors can explore the latest products, services and training to safeguard their teams, improve workplace conditions, and ensure compliance with evolving legislation.

Read more...
Integrating fire alarm systems into building management systems
Beckhoff Automation Fieldbus & Industrial Networking
Fire alarm systems work independently of the building automation system. Schrack Seconet has developed a flexible gateway using ultra-compact industrial PCs and TwinCAT from Beckhoff, which can be used to flexibly convert a customer-specific communication protocol to a wide range of transmission standards.

Read more...
SKF crowned champions in Sishen service provider competition
SKF South Africa News
SKF wins Sishen service provider competition.

Read more...
Industrial PC for high demand on 3D graphics or deeply integrated vision
Beckhoff Automation Industrial Computer Hardware
Beckhoff Automation’s C6043 industrial PC with NVIDIA GPU handles applications with high demands on 3D graphics or deeply integrated vision and AI program blocks with minimal cycle times.

Read more...
Bühler hosts Student Career Expo
News
Bühler Southern Africa recently hosted its fourth annual Student Career Expo, reaffirming its commitment to inspiring and guiding the next generation towards diverse and rewarding career possibilities.

Read more...
Open control technology reduces energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Beckhoff Automation IT in Manufacturing
The Swedish company Airwatergreen AB is breaking new ground in the dehumidification of air in industrial buildings and warehouses. PC-based control from Beckhoff regulates the innovative process.

Read more...
Navigating global uncertainty through human-centred risk management
News
Global uncertainties are no longer exceptional events, they are the environment in which we work. This reality places new demands on how we manage risk.

Read more...
Africa Automation Indaba 2026: Catalysing a connected, competitive industrial future
News
Africa’s automation and process control landscape is poised for a major milestone with the launch of the Africa Automation Indaba, taking place from 13 to 14 May 2026 at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town.

Read more...
The unseen crisis in our taps
News
South Africa’s water crisis is no longer looming. It is already here. To move forward, water treatment must become part of a broader infrastructure renewal agenda. This includes decentralised solutions, private-sector innovation and long-term investment.

Read more...
German experts for bulk solids measurement technology join forces
Mecosa News
MÜTEC Instruments in Germany has acquired DYNA Instruments. the German manufacturer of inline moisture and mass flow measurement systems.

Read more...









While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd | All Rights Reserved