EMO 2025: MKG and a Cross-Industry Consortium of 10 Companies Unveil the Digital Factory of the Future
Published: August 25, 2025
Digitization, automation and sustainability in an autonomous production environment
Weilerbach, August 22nd, 2025 – MKG, a leading provider of highly scalable and standardized ERP software for the metalworking industry – with a core customer base of companies with up to 100 employees and a proud member of the Proalpha Group since June 2024 – will be showcasing its innovation leadership at EMO 2025 in Hanover, the world's premier trade fair for production technology. In Hall 15, Booth B05, MKG and a cross-industry consortium of ten other companies will present a live demonstration of a digital machining factory, offering a compelling vision of what the future of manufacturing already looks like today. Visitors will discover how digitalization, automation and sustainability can be seamlessly interconnected and amplified through the intelligent integration of existing technologies in a fully autonomous production environment.
From paperless production planning and 24/7 CNC machine operation to real-time performance dashboards, every aspect of the showcase is designed to highlight maximum efficiency and minimum downtime. Trade show attendees are warmly invited to take part in a dynamic live demo and experience the digital factory of the future in action.
Seamless process integration: the key to a successful future
To ensure long-term competitiveness in the metalworking industry, companies must continuously optimize their operations and integrate their processes end to end. By smartly connecting proven technologies, machining companies can take important steps toward building an autonomous, sustainable and fully predictable manufacturing environment that boosts competitiveness and drives measurable business outcomes. Together with its consortium partners – Cellro, DMG MORI, FUCHS, HEIDENHAIN, ISCAR, Mitutoyo, SCHUNK, Supplydrive, TopSolid and Zoller – Proalpha MKG will bring this vision to life at a shared booth to demonstrate the importance of specialized ERP systems in such scenarios. Visitors can explore a fully operational smart factory setup that brings to light the three core elements of successful manufacturing:
- Digital production planning: Paperless work preparation where CAD/CAM systems and specialized ERP and production planning tools are seamlessly integrated into centralized tool management. This eliminates errors, reduces setup time, optimizes production preparation and ensures process continuity.
- Autonomous CNC production: A high-mix, low-volume CNC production environment runs autonomously 24/7, powered by a state-of-the-art and fully automated CNC machinery setup featuring advanced machining technologies and durable metalworking fluids. The result: maximum machine utilization, higher throughput and continuous production.
- Real-time production cockpit: Centralized dashboards provide full transparency and control while integrated supply chain connectivity ensures seamless information flow between departments, suppliers and customers. Companies gain real-time insights into machine status, energy consumption and product quality—enabling proactive adjustments before problems even arise.
Significant performance gains through streamlined production
A fully integrated production environment delivers immediate and measurable improvements: With minimal machine downtime, production output increases significantly, while optimized workflows shorten lead times across all stages of the process. At the same time, the efficient use of energy and materials contributes to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions. This not only improves economic efficiency, but also ensures compliance with current regulatory requirements, such as Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) tracking, electronic invoicing and the Digital Product Passport.
Beyond its technical benefits, this level of process integration strengthens the entire organization: By relieving skilled employees from repetitive, routine tasks, companies free up valuable capacity for innovation, strategic development and continuous improvement, all of which are essential for machining businesses to remain competitive and future-ready.
"Today's manufacturing companies are under increasing pressure to manage greater complexity while controlling rising costs," says Henk Abbring, Managing Director (MD) at MKG. "The key lies in the smart integration of proven technologies. Together with our partners, we're demonstrating at EMO 2025 how a fully digitalized machining factory—from order intake to final delivery—can drive powerful results. The impact is already clear: machining businesses are boosting production performance, cutting energy consumption and carbon emissions, and empowering skilled staff to focus on what matters most. This kind of seamless process integration will be a defining factor in determining who thrives in the manufacturing world of tomorrow."
Experience the digital factory of the future
Visitors are warmly invited to experience the factory of the future hands-on at the MKG trade show booth. Using a QR code, they can place a personalized order for a miniature Formula 1 car directly at the stand. The order is processed and scheduled via MKG ERP, then seamlessly handed off to the appropriate machines. CNC production begins autonomously, while the system simultaneously delivers real-time status updates—such as production time, energy consumption and carbon footprint—via open REST API interfaces. While the main body is being machined, additional components like wheels can be retrieved from a storage cabinet. Once all parts are ready, the car is fully assembled on site. Visitors also receive a digital delivery note on their smartphone—complete with electronic signature and invoicing.
More information about MKG is available at https://www.mkg.eu/.
