In collaboration with the Zittau Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) office and the Dresden Chamber of Crafts, the HSZG has been offering the “Workshop Talks” event series on the Zittau campus since 2014—held each spring and fall with a specific technological focus.

This year, the format is being reversed for the first time. A visit to innovative companies in the region guarantees exciting insights into laboratories and production facilities. Framed by keynote presentations from industry and research, the first such event took place on Wednesday, May 22.

At ATN Hölzel in Oppach, turnkey solutions in special-purpose machinery and plant engineering are developed and manufactured under one roof. The company is good at handling everything from concept development and electrical and mechanical design to robot programming, manufacturing, and commissioning.

The faculty of Economics and Industrial Engineering presented its project: “SCO-TTI – Science Café Oberlausitz – Technology – Transfer – Innovative.” SCO-TTI is a joint initiative of HSZG, ULT AG, and ATN Hölzel GmbH aimed at creating a center for digital education in Upper Lusatia.

On the one hand, the project focuses on training employees at SMEs to use digital technologies in their own workplaces; on the other hand, it addresses the practical applications of these technologies, particularly smart glasses.

The topic of digitalization was also omnipresent during the tour of the production halls. Whether the discussion centered on the virtualization of product acceptance processes or on positioning the company as an attractive employer for the next generation in the region—there was no shortage of topics for conversation among all participants, even during the concluding reception.