Weekly Brief
Be first to read the latest tech news, Industry Leader's Insights, and CIO interviews of medium and large enterprises exclusively from The Manufacturing Outlook
The Manufacturing Outlook: Specials Magazine
The performance of an insulating glass unit depends heavily on the quality of its sealants, determining how well the window resists moisture, retains gas, and delivers long-term durability. For manufacturers, the reliability of these sealants directly influences production efficiency, product performance and customer satisfaction. This is the environment in which IGK has built its reputation by combining dependable chemistry with hands-on technical support to help customers keep their operations running smoothly. Founded in Germany and known for developing the first non-mercury polyurethane sealant in 1988, IGK has spent nearly four decades advancing the materials used in insulating glass production. But what truly differentiates the company is not just its formulation expertise, it’s the emphasis on service, troubleshooting, and partnership. “We do not believe in selling a product and walking away. We want to build a relationship and support each customer’s business,” says James Rodo, CEO. This philosophy shapes how IGK responds to challenges, develops new solutions, and supports manufacturers in their day-to-day operations. IGK’s product range reflects both its history and continuous development efforts. The company produces polyurethane systems that have long formed the backbone of its portfolio, alongside reliable polysulfide materials for secondary sealing. Its polyisobutylene product provides a critical primary barrier for moisture and gas protection. As automated production has evolved, IGK has introduced thermoplastic spacer technology and is preparing to launch a new reactive TPS system. It also formulates a fire-resistant sealant for specialized applications and supplies cleaning solutions that help maintain equipment accuracy and cleanliness. Together, these materials allow IGK to support insulating glass production from preparation through long-term performance.
Manufacturing Packaging
Innvestio Group (Netherlands, Turkiye, Greece, Bulgaria)
Preparing Operations for Tomorrow’s Demands
Dimitrios Spyropoulos, Group Commercial Director
Industrial printing and flexible packaging lines face growing execution pressure as sustainability requirements, material changes, tighter specifications and uptime demands converge on daily operations. Innvestio meets manufacturers at this pressure point as a technical and execution partner, coordinating suppliers, materials, `equipment and service into one coherent operating system. How does Innvestio position itself as a technical and execution partner for manufacturers? To support that role, Innvestio tracks macro- and megatrends impacting small and medium manufacturers well before they reach the production floor. Early insights into sustainability, digitization and evolving legal frameworks combined with deep market research on suppliers inside and outside the EU, enable guidance on raw materials, intermediate products, equipment and future operational requirements. “Our interaction with customers goes beyond products. It’s about supporting their entire operation and helping them stay ready for what’s coming next,” says Dimitrios Spyropoulos, group commercial director. Innvestio is an international group spanning the Netherlands, Turkiye, Greece and Bulgaria, anchored by a strong commercial footprint in Benelux and Southeast Europe..
Material Handling Equipment
Heavy load handling is a critical requirement in many industries, where safety and efficiency are non-negotiable. With purpose-built machinery, the load-handling process becomes effortless, maximizing productivity while minimizing risk. PAI Applications Industry specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced machinery for load handling and control for various sectors. With a commitment to understanding each client’s distinct requirements, it evaluates every possibility to deliver precise and practical solutions. Each implementation is followed by close evaluation and refinement to ensure optimal performance. “We have deeply internalized this commitment to truly understand the client’s needs and only then propose solutions,” says Gerard Agudo, sales manager. This commitment is rooted in the Agudo family’s legacy. In its early years, the business operated in close physical proximity to clients, allowing for a deep, firsthand understanding of their daily challenges. While the company has since grown and expanded globally, this dedication remains central. Today, technology enables it to maintain that same level of insight, even when it is thousands of kilometers away from clients. This approach has translated into an impressive portfolio of successful projects and earned strong references from international clients across demanding sectors. These credentials are a testament to PAI’s capability and dependability, positioning them as a trusted expert in heavy load handling. Smart, Safe and Specialized Handling Systems PAI’s client onboarding includes detailed drawings, videos and descriptions that illustrate the movement of a particular load or process. Input consists of assessing the client’s available resources, such as cranes, platforms or other handling equipment, to form the foundation for developing a tailored solution. Drawing on its extensive experience and a portfolio of past projects, PAI evaluates whether an existing concept can be adapted or a completely new design must be created. On-site visits and remote meetings are part of the process. The result is a solution specifically engineered to optimize performance and ensure safe, efficient handling of heavy loads. Post-implementation, PAI continues to enhance its offerings with cutting-edge technologies, ensuring that each solution evolves alongside the client’s needs.
Industrial Equipment
Industry 4.0: Reimagining Manufacturing Operations
Thierry Wipff, Global Manufacturing Technology Engineering Tires, Continental [FWB: CON]
Plastic Tech
Reinventing Plastics Manufacturing
Inari Seppa, Director – Sustainability & Industrial Policies EMEA, Eastman
Contract Manufacturing
Ensuring Sustainability while Achieving Profitability
Marco Guazzoni, Sustainability Director, Vibram Group
Composite Materials
Digital Transformation: Engaging our People
Dr. Udo Schneider, Senior Vice President Active Ingredient Manufacturing, Bayer
Industrial Equipment
The Pendulum in Our Industry Again Strikes Maximum
Philipp Molendo, Head of Purchasing Electronics, BSH Home Appliances Group
IN MY OPINION
Industrial Equipment
Rethinking industrial security and functional safety in the new normal
Janne Kuivalainen, CTO & Head of Technology, Danfoss Drives
LAST WORD
Personal Care Contract Manufacturing
Reinventing Structrual Bonding
Dr. Fabien Choffat, Head of Technology - Structural Adhesives, Sika
IN FOCUS
Factors Driving Growth in Europe's Adhesives and Sealants Industry
Europe’s adhesives and sealants manufacturers' market grows through industrial demand, sustainability focus, advanced production technologies, evolving applications, and digitalisation.
Flexible Packaging in Europe: A Key to Operational Excellence and Sustainability
Flexible packaging enhances business efficiency through lightweight materials, advanced barrier protection, and sustainable manufacturing practices for global distribution.
EDITORIAL
Engineering the Future of Manufacturing
Manufacturers today are navigating a landscape shaped by precision engineering and rising expectations for product longevity. As designs become more intricate and materials more diverse, the need for reliable bonding and sealing has taken on new urgency. Adhesives and sealants are increasingly relied upon to deliver structural integrity, environmental protection and design freedom in applications where conventional joining methods introduce limitations.
Innovation in adhesive technologies is keeping pace with these demands. New formulations are offering enhanced performance under demanding operating conditions. Integration with automated dispensing and curing systems is also supporting smarter production lines. These advancements reflect broader trends toward digitalised manufacturing and material efficiency across industrial sectors.
When combined with modern load handling systems and flexible packaging services, these materials deliver benefits that extend well beyond bonding alone. Adhesives enable cleaner assembly, load handling brings precision to movement on the production floor and flexible packaging strengthens how products are sealed, protected and configured to different formats. Together, they contribute to a manufacturing ecosystem built for dependable performance and long-term evolution.
This edition of Manufacturing Outlook Europe examines how advances in materials and manufacturing practices are redefining modern production environments.
It features insights from Dr. Udo Schneider, Senior Vice President Active Ingredient Manufacturing at Bayer. He emphasises that digital transformation succeeds only when the manufacturing workforce is fully engaged and empowered to drive change from the shop floor. Thierry Wipff, Global Manufacturing Technology Engineering Tires at Continental, underscores that Industry 4.0 is driving more efficient and sustainable manufacturing, requiring companies to actively adapt both systems and skills as automation advances.
We hope this edition provides a focused view of how manufacturers are adapting to the realities of an increasingly complex industrial future.
