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New bid for Euro patent
Earnings wobble as MP3 income drops Fraunhofer recorded a total business volume of 1186 million in 2006, down around 5 per cent against earnings for 2005 of 1250 million. The major cause for the slight dip in income was a drop in income from MP3 licenses, “The total business volume comprises capital expenditure in major infrastructure and the budget for defence research and contract research,” explained Dr. Alfred Gossner, Senior Vice President Finance and Controlling, with regard to the result. Fraunhofer invested 115 million in new buildings, extensions to existing buildings and initial equipment for laboratories. Some 39 million was spent in defence research. Expenditure for contract research, which includes research and development services, dropped slightly from 1,068 million to 1,032 million. “The reduction in comparison to the previous year is largely attributable to the previously anticipated decrease in revenues from licenses for MP3 technology,” said Gossner. These revenues fell by roughly one third compared to 2005, from 110 million
to 69 million. However, this reduction could, to a large extent, be compensated for by an increase in international and other revenues. Contract research comprises base funding from the German federal government, the individual Länder and revenue from projects. Base funding accounted for 330 million. Project revenues, in other words, contracts from industry and public sector projects funded by federal government, the Länder and the EU for which the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft successfully competed, amounted to 702 million. “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft therefore generated sufficient own revenue to cover 68 percent of its expenditure, or more than two thirds of its total business volume. This is the highest percentage for 15 years,” said Professor Bullinger. Fraunhofer pushed its international revenues to a record of almost 120 million last year – an increase of 20 per cent. In percentage terms, the situation in the USA was particularly positive with revenues from collaboration with US industry partners
increasing by 45 per cent to 14 million. The much larger European earnings base also made good progress with revenues up 10 per cent against 2005 to 42 million from contracts with European companies. Revenues from European Commission projects could also be increased by more than 20 per cent, thus, for the first time ever, achieving a volume of more than 50 million in this area. In the past financial year, base funding was increased by 3 per cent, and research institutions can expect their base funding to rise by a rate of three per cent per annum until 2010. Fraunhofer will use this funding to help strengthen the long-term innovative potential of German industry. The specialist and organisational expertise of the Fraunhofer Institutes will be pooled with that of other research institutions, universities and industry in a new type of partnership: innovation cluster. Through a more intensive collaboration with the Max Planck Society, it is hoped that synergies can be more effectively exploited and innovation processes accelerated.
EMO planning 'greatest show on earth' for machine tools WITH JUST a few weeks to go until EMO Hannover 2007, the world’s leading showcase for metal working technologies (17- 22 September), preparations are well underway for the biggest show ever. This year over 2,005 companies from 41 countries will be exhibiting, presenting a wide range of innovative technologies to an international audience. Helmut von Monschaw, Managing Director of organising body the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) said: “Celebrating its 30th year, EMO Hannover is a truly international forum for all technologies involved in metalworking production. It is a rare opportunity to meet a high number of key decision makers from a wide range of sectors from all over the world. “The show is unique because it offers significantly more exhibitors and a larger display area than any other show of its kind. In relation to visitors, 160, 000 industry professionals attended the show in 2005 and we are optimistic that in terms of
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MPR July/August 2007
size and diversity, EMO Hannover 2007 can outperform the last show. The event has a strong attraction for everyone with an interest in industrial manufacturing, ranging from machine tool makers or buyers, R&D specialists or nextgeneration engineers. This year’s event will pay particular attention to advanced technologies in relation to reconfigurable machine tools, lifecycle-oriented machine tools, micro- and precision machining and simulation systems. Industrial manufacturing will also be a key focus, where visions for the future of new machining processes, integration of diagnostic systems and new methods for designing and developing products will be explored. The success of EMO Hannover 2007 reflects a steady increase in the global machine tools market since mid-2003. High growth rates in Asian markets continue to be a major contributory factor, but Europe has also enjoyed a period of sustained improvement. In 2006, European
industry experienced a significant 16 per cent increase in order volume. Our own hardmetals specialist, Ken Brookes, will be reporting on what’s new at the show, and what is not so new.
New bid for Euro patent The European Commission is to renew its attempts to achieve agreement among member states on a Community Patent that would be valid and legally binding throughout the 27 states on the basis of a single application. Previous efforts stalled on some members’ unwillingness to give up the need for translation into their languages and on disagreements over the legal system needed to enforce papetent rights. But a public consultation last year showed that The EU “simply must deliver on the Community Patent and sound litigation arrangements” said Charlie McCreevy, Internal Market and Service Commissioner
metal-powder.net
to 69 million. However, this reduction could, to a large extent, be compensated for by an increase in international and other revenues. Contract research comprises base funding from the German federal government, the individual Länder and revenue from projects. Base funding accounted for 330 million. Project revenues, in other words, contracts from industry and public sector projects funded by federal government, the Länder and the EU for which the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft successfully competed, amounted to 702 million. “The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft therefore generated sufficient own revenue to cover 68 percent of its expenditure, or more than two thirds of its total business volume. This is the highest percentage for 15 years,” said Professor Bullinger. Fraunhofer pushed its international revenues to a record of almost 120 million last year – an increase of 20 per cent. In percentage terms, the situation in the USA was particularly positive with revenues from collaboration with US industry partners
increasing by 45 per cent to 14 million. The much larger European earnings base also made good progress with revenues up 10 per cent against 2005 to 42 million from contracts with European companies. Revenues from European Commission projects could also be increased by more than 20 per cent, thus, for the first time ever, achieving a volume of more than 50 million in this area. In the past financial year, base funding was increased by 3 per cent, and research institutions can expect their base funding to rise by a rate of three per cent per annum until 2010. Fraunhofer will use this funding to help strengthen the long-term innovative potential of German industry. The specialist and organisational expertise of the Fraunhofer Institutes will be pooled with that of other research institutions, universities and industry in a new type of partnership: innovation cluster. Through a more intensive collaboration with the Max Planck Society, it is hoped that synergies can be more effectively exploited and innovation processes accelerated.
EMO planning 'greatest show on earth' for machine tools WITH JUST a few weeks to go until EMO Hannover 2007, the world’s leading showcase for metal working technologies (17- 22 September), preparations are well underway for the biggest show ever. This year over 2,005 companies from 41 countries will be exhibiting, presenting a wide range of innovative technologies to an international audience. Helmut von Monschaw, Managing Director of organising body the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) said: “Celebrating its 30th year, EMO Hannover is a truly international forum for all technologies involved in metalworking production. It is a rare opportunity to meet a high number of key decision makers from a wide range of sectors from all over the world. “The show is unique because it offers significantly more exhibitors and a larger display area than any other show of its kind. In relation to visitors, 160, 000 industry professionals attended the show in 2005 and we are optimistic that in terms of
16
MPR July/August 2007
size and diversity, EMO Hannover 2007 can outperform the last show. The event has a strong attraction for everyone with an interest in industrial manufacturing, ranging from machine tool makers or buyers, R&D specialists or nextgeneration engineers. This year’s event will pay particular attention to advanced technologies in relation to reconfigurable machine tools, lifecycle-oriented machine tools, micro- and precision machining and simulation systems. Industrial manufacturing will also be a key focus, where visions for the future of new machining processes, integration of diagnostic systems and new methods for designing and developing products will be explored. The success of EMO Hannover 2007 reflects a steady increase in the global machine tools market since mid-2003. High growth rates in Asian markets continue to be a major contributory factor, but Europe has also enjoyed a period of sustained improvement. In 2006, European
industry experienced a significant 16 per cent increase in order volume. Our own hardmetals specialist, Ken Brookes, will be reporting on what’s new at the show, and what is not so new.
New bid for Euro patent The European Commission is to renew its attempts to achieve agreement among member states on a Community Patent that would be valid and legally binding throughout the 27 states on the basis of a single application. Previous efforts stalled on some members’ unwillingness to give up the need for translation into their languages and on disagreements over the legal system needed to enforce papetent rights. But a public consultation last year showed that The EU “simply must deliver on the Community Patent and sound litigation arrangements” said Charlie McCreevy, Internal Market and Service Commissioner
metal-powder.net