During a tour of the production facilities, Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann, Ivanka Burger (Head of Project Development, Transfer, and Collaborations), Prof. Dr. Elmar Steurer (Director of Strategic Global Partnerships), and Prof. Dr. Andy Weeger (Professor of Information Management and CIO) gained insights into the development and manufacturing of packaging solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. In discussions with Uhlmann Group CEO Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Niemeyer, Bastian Brinkmann (Head of Corporate Future Lab), Reiner Freund (Subject Matter Expert), Gerd Jaudas (Vice President of HR), Holger Hochdorfer (Head of Strategic Partner and Ecosystem Management), Dr. Mario Rometsch (Head of Analytics and AI), and Ann-Kathrin Schaude (Specialist in Recruiting & Employer Branding), the discussion focused, among other things, on the use of artificial intelligence in production and daily work, Germany as a hub for business and research, and the question of how companies and universities can benefit from one another.
Generating Impact in the Region Together
The Uhlmann Group, which focuses on holistic solutions within the packaging ecosystem, invests approximately six percent of its revenue in research and development and has been placing greater emphasis on artificial intelligence since early 2025. According to the company, around 35 to 40 percent of its employees now use AI applications in their daily work. “Especially in times of major technological change, it is not enough for business and academia to simply work side by side—and that is precisely why partnerships between academia and industry are not just a ‘nice-to-have’ for me, but a decisive factor for success. Often, the most exciting ideas emerge where different perspectives come together,” emphasized Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Niemeyer.
Prof. Dr. Julia Kormann also expressed a clear commitment to the impact resulting from collaboration between academia and industry, while simultaneously highlighting the importance of knowledge transfer. “HNU possesses the scientific methodological expertise needed to turn concrete challenges into innovations tailored to specific needs,” she said. Only in this way can real added value be created locally. “The exchange with companies like Uhlmann shows us which technologies and solutions are needed today and tomorrow, and what requirements come with them.”
Important for Both Academia and Practice: Future-Oriented Skills
Through its relevant degree programs, HNU prepares students for the demands of an increasingly digitized workplace. This is not just about technical knowledge: Equally important are the ability to critically evaluate AI applications, solve complex problems, and translate technological developments into concrete business and societal applications. For those already in the workforce, the continuous development of skills is also becoming increasingly important.
There was particular agreement regarding the commercial implementation of innovations. Especially when it comes to the use of AI, it is essential to consider early on what viable business models can emerge from new technologies in order to translate innovations into sustainable value creation. Further collaboration in the areas of research and technology transfer was discussed in depth.
Future opportunities for cooperation between HNU and Uhlmann will focus in particular on how to further strengthen HNU’s already close ties to industry through targeted exchanges with industry experts, how to expose students to concrete industrial challenges even earlier, and how to jointly develop and support practice-oriented projects.
About the Collaboration with Uhlmann
Uhlmann has been a strategic partner of HNU since 2025. The collaboration between the two partners encompasses the Career Service and various practical projects, work-study positions, and theses. In addition, Uhlmann is involved in the IT Executive Circle (ITEC) and HNU’s two innovation circles—the AI Innovation Circle and the Sustainability Innovation Circle—contributes as a partner to research projects, and is active in the Upper Swabia Agile Community.
