KUKA celebrates 125th birthday with major anniversary event: Prominent guests congratulate
The anniversary event at the Augsburg headquarters was attended by around 400 international customers and partners as well as guests from politics, business and society, including Bavaria's Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, Chinese Ambassador Ken Wu and Augsburg's Mayor Eva Weber.
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Happy Birthday, KUKA! For 125 years, the robot manufacturer from Augsburg has been a pioneer and an encourager. Technology makes our lives better: robotics helps in business, but also in medicine and care. We are on the brink of a new age of innovation.
"We need courage to grow and make a commitment to prosperity. Bavaria should be a top technology location. KUKA is an important partner in this. Live long and prosper!", said Minister-President Markus S?der at the event. Following his speech, KUKA CEO Peter Mohnen presented a copy of the anniversary book and KUKA apprentices presented a gift made in the training center.
Shaping the future of automation
According to Peter Mohnen, new technologies have never offered such great opportunities as they do today when it comes to solving challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers or demographic change. KUKA's products and solutions are therefore more in demand than ever. "We are recording sustainable growth across all industries and countries. For the first time in our company's history, we are heading for more than 4 billion euros in sales this year."
During tours, discussions and innovation talks, guests gained insights into KUKA's solutions around robotics, automation and digitalization, including new business models such as automated modular house construction, innovations around simple and intuitive robotics or solutions for the medical sector. The program also included a table tennis match against Timo Boll, the KUKA brand ambassador, and a ride on the KUKA Coaster robot ride.
Change as part of KUKA's history
In 1898, Johann Joseph Keller and Jakob Knappich founded an acetylene gas plant for street lighting in Augsburg, laying the foundation for an international technology group. Over more than a century, KUKA reinvented itself again and again, with products such as garbage trucks, travel typewriters, circular knitting machines and spot welding machines.
Exactly 50 years ago, KUKA made history with the world's first industrial robot, the "Famulus", with six electromechanically driven axes. Today, KUKA is helping to shape the future of work with innovations in automation and robotics, driving forward the digitalization of industry and counteracting the shortage of skilled workers in a wide range of industries.
The Chinese Ambassador in Germany Ken WU (pictured above) congratulated KUKA to its 125 anniversary. Also the Government of Shunde Disctrict, Foshan, sent a congratulatory letter.
Augsburg`s Lord Mayor Eva Weber (pictured above) also spoke at the anniversary event.