Fraunhofer - Gesellschaft

Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML)

The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML) is the place where questions about integrated logistics are answered and where work is carried out on behalf of companies from all fields of intercompany and intracompany logistics. IML teams, which have been carefully assembled based on the needs of the customers and the requirements of the projects, create interbranch and client-specific solutions for a multitude of logistic fields. Some of these fields include material flow technology, warehouse management, business process modeling, simulation-supported business planning and system planning in production and logistics, transportation systems and management, closed loop recycling management, and eBusiness. 

Each of the three directors of Fraunhofer IML holds a chair at the Fakultät Maschinenbau (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) at the Universität Dortmund. Several research projects have been created as a result of these close ties with the university. These projects have ranged from basic fields of research to involvement in special fields of research such as    SFB 559 “Modellierung großer Netze in der Logistik” (Modeling Large Logistic Networks).

Fraunhofer IML works closely with international scientific institutions and companies to develop logistic solutions. Currently, a total of 160 scientists and 250 students work at the institute; supported by staff in the workshops, laboratories, and service areas. Students enrolled in the Logistics degree program at the Universität Dortmund are also integrated into IML projects.

www.iml.fraunhofer.de

Institut Produktionstechnik und Automatisierung

For forty years, organizations of all sizes and industries have taken advantage of the Fraunhofer IPA’s expertise for innovative developments and benefited from our planning and consulting services. Organizational and technological problems faced by industrial companies active in the manufacturing field form the main focus of the research and development work of our institute.

Three business fields with a total of 10 departments develop trans-sectoral and multi-disciplinary solutions. These business fields concern:

• Corporate Organization
• Surface Technology
• Automation Systems

The business field »Corporate Organization« offers a broad range of services from factory planning via product and quality management to logistics within and across enterprises.

The customer is at the heart of everything we do

By applying the solutions and tools we develop, manufacturing organizations are in a position to master the problems associated with organization and logistics. Our business field’s unique grouping together of core competencies allows for a holistic and transparent view of the corporate value chain.  

The focus of our work is on designing customized solutions in interdisciplinary teams that are networked with our customers, institute staff and partners. The mission of the »Corporate organization«  team is to serve industry and society as consultants, researchers and developers, and supporting them with innovative and application-oriented solutions.

www.ipa.fraunhofer.de

Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation (IAO)

The activities of the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO focus on investigation of current topics in the field of technology management. A holistic approach is applied to the study of commercial success, employees' interests and social consequences.

The Institute helps companies to identify the technologies of relevance to them, and draws up a technology strategy aligned to the competitive environment and the market. It plans the deployment of technology for the entire enterprise, in the business sectors and in individual projects.

Depending on the requirements of the company, the Institute develops or modifies technical systems. The Fraunhofer IAO plans and organizes future-oriented structures suitable to the needs of people involved in production, as well as in the administrative and technical departments of companies in industry and the service sector. Research focuses on the development of advanced information and communications systems.

In keeping with the holistic approach pursued, attention is also given to the individual and social values held by people in their working environment. This not only addresses the task of creating ergonomic solutions, but also the additional qualifications required by employees in coping with the decentralized organization of work and the implementation of new technologies.

www.iao.fraunhofer.de