Industry 4.0: Upgrading of Germany’s industrial capabilities on the horizon

Industry 4.0 will upgrade Germany’s industrial capabilities. With trade flows becoming increasingly internationally interlinked, automation, more flexible processes as well as horizontal and vertical integration are becoming more important features in a modern, competitive production structure. Germany in particular with its especially favourable fundamental features will find that “Industry 4.0” (aka integrated industry) provides a major long-term opportunity for the country to consolidate its leading position in the global marketplace – even against its fast-growing emerging market competitors.