From planning and operation to service – RUD provides support to maritime lifting applications, even in the most challenging environmental conditions. The company will showcase its application and development expertise at SMM 2026 in Hamburg and will present DNV-certified lifting equipment and innovative specialised solutions, including those developed through collaborative partnerships.

Even in its fifth year since its founding, UniversalAutomation.Org (UAO) continues to see strong membership growth. Among its newest members are the American organizations HPE and Clemson University.

With the groundbreaking ceremony on June 16, 2026, marking the start of a comprehensive expansion of its headquarters in Mülheim-Kärlich near Koblenz, Laserline is sending a strong signal in support of Germany as a hub for innovation: Even amid a challenging economic environment, the internationally leading specialist in industrial diode lasers continues to grow steadily and carries its success story forward.

French national Benoît Thooris is taking over as president of the nonprofit organization from Raquel Torres, who has held the position since 2024. At the annual general meeting on May 18, the Board of Directors of UniversalAutomation.Org was also re-elected. With Harry He (Kyland Group) and Brad Mozisek (Wood), two new industry executives are now represented on the board.

RUD Defence will be showcasing lifting means and system solutions for lifting, securing and moving defence equipment under the slogan “Ready when it matters” at the EUROSATORY in Paris from 15 to 19 June 2026. The exhibition stand focuses on bespoke solutions that have already proven their worth worldwide in the most demanding operating conditions.

• The wide range of options for individual configuration of chain suspensions has already been used extensively • Configured solutions now also available as CAD data records in the STEP format • Use of the configurator will also be possible on a smartphone or tablet in future

Aalen, June 2024 – RUD is completing its range of digital tools for the application-related composition of lifting solutions: in addition to the proven lifting means configurator, a configurator for lifting points is now also available. It can be used to quickly and easily find the right lifting points for individual customer chain suspensions and even visualise them in 3D.

At this year's InnoTrans, Schneider Electric will present an integrated portfolio for railway infrastructure digitalization. This includes SF6-free medium-voltage switchgear, software solutions from ETAP and AVEVA, and matching service offerings.

Schneider Electric is once again co-sponsoring the popular traditional run, and is also entering its own team – the “SE Green Runners”.

Aalen, August 2024 – RUD consolidates its partnership with 1. FC Heidenheim. After a successful premier season Aalen’s global market leader for lifting and lashing technology is expanding its financial commitment as a GOLD sponsor and is proud to announce the continued sponsorship of the Bundesliga football team in the 2024/25 season.

Aalen, September 2024 – Plugging instead of bolting: with the new CCS-FASTLOX, RUD is expanding its product portfolio to include a clevis shackle with a quick-release fastener that makes the attachment of loads considerably easier and faster. The highly robust shackle can be fitted without nut and cotter pin, saving up to 80% of assembly and dismantling time compared to conventional boltable shackles.

Laserline has optimized its portfolio in the high-power blue diode laser segment. In doing so, the company is making important advances in focusing properties. This is because with output powers of up to 800 watts blue lasers will be available with 20 mm-mrad beam quality, while lasers with output powers of up to 1,500 watts will be available with 30 mm-mrad beam quality. These improvements simplify the joining of thin copper contacts as well as welding with scanner optics.

French national Benoît Thooris is taking over as president of the nonprofit organization from Raquel Torres, who has held the position since 2024. At the annual general meeting on May 18, the Board of Directors of UniversalAutomation.Org was also re-elected. With Harry He (Kyland Group) and Brad Mozisek (Wood), two new industry executives are now represented on the board.

Brussels, March 5, 2025 – UniversalAutomation.org (UAO) has reached another milestone: Founded in late 2021 by nine companies, the independent non-profit organization, which uses its technology to promote a vendor-independent automation approach, today has more than 100 members.