EtherCAT Technology Group celebrates 20 years
November 2023
News
The 20-year milestones of EtherCAT and EtherCAT Technology Group (ETG) are a reason to celebrate. To mark the occasion, Beckhoff invited guests to a gala dinner at the Grand Hotel Kaiserhof Victoria in Bad Kissingen. The ETG board of directors, the Beckhoff team working at the ETG headquarters in Nuremberg, EtherCAT developers from the very beginning, and members of the ETG technical and marketing committees were among those who have made a decisive contribution to the success of EtherCAT.
The members of the ETG board and technical committee at the EtherCAT anniversary meeting.
In his welcoming speech, Hans Beckhoff, managing director of Beckhoff Automation, highlighted the role of the original development team, which has achieved extraordinary results. He then congratulated the ETG team on their success and thanked them for their energetic work over the past 20 years.
Keynote speech by Martin Rostan, executive director of the ETG, during the gala dinner.
Executive director, Martin Rostan then looked back on 20 years of EtherCAT and ETG in his tongue-in-cheek keynote speech ‘From fast lightbus to EtherCAT’. He described how the ETG started with 33 founding members, growing to the world’s largest fieldbus organisation with almost 400 member companies from 73 countries, and from zero to 60 million EtherCAT devices. Along the way there were 213 ETG trade fair booths, 175 roadshows in 51 countries, 59 plugfests, and countless working groups and standardisation meetings. The diverse work of the ETG teams contributed numerous entertaining photos, anecdotes and remarkable experiences.
Rostan also thanked the Beckhoff developers for preparing what is recognised as the best fieldbus technology; the ETG team for 20 years of dedicated collaboration; the ETG board and committee members for helping to shape the organisation and the technology; and ETG honorary member, Hans Beckhoff for opening up EtherCAT and supporting the ETG.
Further reading:
Hitachi Energy ramps up global and African investments
News
Hitachi Energy ramps up global and African investments to support grid readiness for the AI era.
Read more...
Experience ICRA 2026 right here in Gqeberha, South Africa
News
The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is the largest robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing conference in the world. You can experience the premier keynote and plenary presentations in Gqeberha.
Read more...
What to expect at Africa Automation Indaba 2026: From AI readiness to bankable automation projects
RX Africa
News
Africa Automation Indaba 2026 will give delegates a practical view of what it takes to move automation from ambition to implementation with a two-day programme focused on industrial readiness, skills development, policy alignment, investment realities and the future of intelligent operations.
Read more...
SKF achieves SaiMechE CPD accreditation
SKF South Africa
News
SKF South Africa has achieved SaiMechE CPD accreditation, a decisive step that empowers the next generation of engineers.
Read more...
Elevating artisanal skills is key to revitalising South Africa’s economy
ACTOM Electrical Machines
News
We need to challenge the stigma attached to artisanal and technical careers, and we also need a mindset shift supported by the schooling system so that young people understand future career pathways, choose subjects accordingly, and recognise that artisanal and technical skills carry equal value in a modern economy.
Read more...
One visit, five shows: practical solutions for safer, smarter operations
News
Five co-located shows will bring together the full picture of how organisations manage risk, compliance, infrastructure and energy.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: A little bit of magic
Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
Whatever your view is of America today, the Artemis II mission showed the world that it can still deliver moments of wonder. For a few days, the chaotic headlines gave way to something more. Who could
...
Read more...
Electra Mining Africa 2026
News
Electra Mining Africa will take place at Nasrec, Johannesburg from 7 to 11 September 2026.
Read more...
Woman of Stature Awards South Africa
News
In a powerful recognition of excellence in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Thabisile Phumo won the Woman in Mining and Engineering award at the 2026 Woman of Stature Awards South Africa.
Read more...
AVEVA to spotlight industrial intelligence at AVEVA Day
News
AVEVA will host AVEVA Day South Africa 2026 on 22 April with the theme ‘Accelerating Africa’s Industrial Future: Harnessing AI, Digital Twins and Data-Driven Operations for Sustainable Growth’.
Read more...
The members of the ETG board and technical committee at the EtherCAT anniversary meeting.
Keynote speech by Martin Rostan, executive director of the ETG, during the gala dinner.
printer friendly version