Press pack, Annual Press Conference 2025

Dear editors,

This is where you will find all the material from our press pack for this year’s Annual Press Conference. We would be delighted if you would use our information in your press coverage! If you have any questions or would like further material, then please contact [email protected].

Press releases

The automation company Pilz develops technologies for the safety of human and machine at its headquarters in Ostfildern. These include sensors that use Artificial Intelligence to distinguish between humans and objects. (Photo: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

Automation company sees a decline in sales in 2024 – “Industry must put the focus back on customers” - Pilz overcomes a difficult environment in the 2024 financial year

In the last financial year, the Pilz Group had to contend with the generally difficult economic situation. In 2024, the automation company achieved a turnover of 341 million Euro. That corresponds to a fall of 21 per cent over the previous year. The family business remains focussed on the future, even if the outlook for 2025 remains cautious. Prospects are emerging particularly in markets such as China, India or South America, in the railway technology and hydrogen sectors, as well as the service business.

In the “Fundamentals of Industrial Security” training course, Pilz provides basic knowledge about Industrial Security on machinery. The agenda includes not just theory but also practical implementation. (Photo: © iStock.com/nd3000, © iStock.com/AndreyPopov, © iStock.com/gorodenkoff, © iStock.com/Nutjaree Yomjun, © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

New training offer from Pilz, “Fundamentals of Industrial Security”, provides an introduction to Security in automation - Basic knowledge of Industrial Security

In order to guarantee Industrial Security on their own machinery, specialists in mechanical engineering require sound fundamental knowledge – particularly of legislation and applicable standards. Experts from Pilz share this expertise in the “Fundamentals of Industrial Security” training course. Delegates learn to understand security threats, appropriate protective measures and best practices in the context of machinery and network security.

Susanne Kunschert, Managing Partner (Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

Pilz overcomes a difficult environment in the 2024 financial year

In the last financial year, the Pilz Group had to contend with the generally difficult economic situation. In 2024, our company achieved a turnover of 341 million Euro. That corresponds to a fall of 21 per cent over the previous year. After 3 very good years, 2024 was weak, particularly in Germany. The export share rose to 79 per cent (up 4.6 percentage points over 2023).

Thomas Pilz, Managing Director (Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

In terms of Safety, Security and AI: The European legal framework is changing

We all know the CE mark. You can see it on electrical appliances, toys or household goods, but also on plant and machinery of course. The CE mark is effectively the seal that shows that products placed on the market within the European Economic Area (EU and EFTA) meet essential health, safety and environmental requirements. Every product that falls under an EU directive has required an EC Declaration of Conformity for the past 30 years.

Industrial Security is a management issue: how companies get started

“Security? That's not our concern!” – When asked about security, that's still a common response from machine manufacturers and operators. “Our IT department is responsible for security”, they add, slightly apologetically. In practice, however, IT lacks the specific knowledge, particularly with regard to automation networks. On the other hand, design engineers or even health and safety managers (HSE) are unsure how to deal with cybersecurity. So how do you prepare for Industrial Security?

Hydrogen: Safe energy carrier or explosive challenge?

Hydrogen is considered the energy carrier of the future. Its potential applications are diverse: it is used in industry when steelmaking, in the chemical or glass industry, for mobility as fuel for fuel cell vehicles or for electricity reconversion. The downside of the energy carrier: the gas is colourless and odourless, while at the same time highly flammable. Appropriate safety measures and safe monitoring systems are therefore required during production and handling.

Sensor-based safety = efficient automation

Pilz is an expert in sensor technology as well as safety relays. Pilz products are not just found in the control cabinet. Pilz sensor technology PSEN also ensures the necessary safety on many machines in the field. Safe automation is impossible without safe sensor technology. A universal safety concept is only enabled through interaction with sensors in the field – they not only detect hazardous situations but also record data, so that machinery can be operated safely and proactively.

Photographic material

Susanne Kunschert and Thomas Pilz, Managing Partners of Pilz GmbH & Co. KG. (Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

The automation company Pilz also invests continuously in research and development at its Ostfildern headquarters as well as in expansion of its production capacities. (Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

The automation company Pilz develops technologies for the safety of human and machine at its headquarters in Ostfildern. These include sensors that use Artificial Intelligence to distinguish between humans and objects. (Photo: © Pilz GmbH & Co. KG)

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Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
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