PLASTICS NEWSLETTER
Innovation meets human-centricity: Stäubli's vision for K 2025
Every three years, the plastics manufacturing industry converges in Düsseldorf for K Show, the world’s leading event for the plastic industry – and 2025 promises to be a milestone event.
Ahead of the event, we spoke with Ygor Mikhailoff and Thierry Parent, Plastics Market Managers at Stäubli, about what’s driving innovation in their sector, what visitors can expect to see at K 2025, and how Stäubli helps address the industry's most pressing challenges.
What can visitors expect to see from Stäubli at the event?
Ygor: One key focus is a new, dedicated solution for small tonnage machines – these are compact, precise systems that are especially well-suited to sectors like medical and electronics, where space and seamless productivity are crucial. But I won’t reveal too much before the event!
We’re also highlighting our design-to-cost approach for mold manufacturing, and we will feature the newest version of our magnetic clamping system, the QMC123. This latest iteration features a thin plate design, enhanced safety, and smarter validation features that simplify mold changes and protect both operators and equipment. The common thread across these solutions is that they are designed to make production safer, faster, and more reliable, without creating unnecessary complexity for operators.
Are these developments driven by specific market pressures?
Thierry: There's been a fundamental shift in how customers evaluate investments. We've moved from focusing solely on return on investment (ROI) to looking at total cost of ownership (TCO). We often illustrate this with an iceberg analogy: the visible costs represent only about 15% of the total. A low-cost product might seem attractive up front, but if it leads to longer setup times, higher failure rates, more frequent maintenance, or a higher risk of accidents for operators, the real cost over time is much higher.
Ygor: This connects directly to another major trend: the urgent demand for automation. There's a critical shortage of skilled workers in this industry, partly because plastics manufacturing has an image problem – my own 15-year-old son's reaction when I tell him I work in plastics says it all! Companies must look at automation not just as a cost-saving measure, but as a necessity for maintaining production levels.
How has the push toward automation evolved, especially after recent global events?
Ygor: The shift really accelerated during the COVID pandemic. Manufacturers had to reduce operator density to protect their teams, and many have kept those measures because they realized they also improve efficiency and safety in the long run.
Thierry: But automation isn't novel – it's been integrated into processes for years. Take the example of a fully automated packaging solution. It's been running successfully for over 12 years, helping reduce contamination risk and operator exposure while maintaining precision.
Where do concepts like Industry 4.0 fit into this landscape?
Ygor: Customers increasingly want equipment that communicates effectively and provides operators with clear, actionable information. Our Magnetic clamping systems, for example, can communicate directly with injection molding machine controls, so operators have all the information they need in one place.
Thierry: The key is making these technologies accessible and valuable in day-to-day operations –That’s why our priority remains creating solutions that support safe, efficient, and flexible manufacturing today.
How does Stäubli approach the challenge of serving different industry segments with varying needs?
Ygor: Every injection molder has unique requirements. And while the fundamental injection molding process remains consistent across sectors, each customer's setup, constraints and goals are different. This presents an exciting opportunity for us to dedicate time to thoroughly understanding each customer's needs and provide support that truly aligns with their objectives.
Thierry: Instead of presenting a catalog of products with a one-size-fits-all approach, we work closely with customers, taking a partnership approach. We visit sites, conduct SMED (Single-Minute Exchange of Die) analyses, and identify where targeted changes can make the biggest impact. At the end of the day, we are a solution provider, not just a supplier.
What do you hope visitors will take away from Stäubli’s presence at K 2025?
Ygor: K 2025 is the industry's milestone event – it's where we meet customers and prospects who will drive business for the next three years, and where the most important conversations about the future of manufacturing happen. We want visitors to see Stäubli as the right partner for developing solutions that match their unique challenges.
Thierry: Ultimately, we want people to leave with new insights that will genuinely improve their operations over the long term. Whether that's a fresh perspective on TCO and ROI or a better understanding of the innovative new tools available, we want every conversation to add real value. When visitors leave our stand, we want them to see new possibilities for making their operations not just more efficient, but fundamentally better places for people to work.
