Preparations for Control 2025 are entering the final phase. From May 6 to 9, 2025, suppliers and users of solutions for the quality of a product, process or service will meet in Stuttgart. The trade fair company P. E. Schall is planning the international trade fair for quality assurance, which will showcase various types of measurement technology and present cross-industry relevance, in the four halls 3, 5, 7 and 9 of the Stuttgart exhibition grounds. The range of topics covers the areas of vision, image processing, sensor technology and measurement and testing technology, including state-of-the-art software and evaluation technology.

Control Quality Talk 2025 discusses AI in QA

Artificial intelligence will play an important role at this year's trade fair. AI systems have become an important technology trend in quality assurance. This year, exhibitors, trade visitors and guests will experience the first edition of a new event format as part of the trade fair program - the Control Quality Talk 2025. Under the heading "AI in QA - Will the future be error-free? AI as a turbo for profitability and efficiency", a panel of renowned experts will talk about AI in quality assurance. The panel will discuss which AI systems already exist, which are already being used in the industry and what concrete effects they have in terms of cost-effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, it will be explained to what extent future AI systems will pave the way for error-free products and processes as part of full automation and simplify QA. Ira Effenberger, Group Leader at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Dr.-Ing. Ralf Christoph, Managing Director and owner of Werth Messtechnik, Florian Schwarz, CEO CAQ AG Factory Systems, and Dr. Christian Wojek, Head of AI, Zeiss IQS. The discussion will be moderated by Dr.-Ing. Peter Ebert, Editor-in-Chief of the trade journal "inVISION". The organizers expect exhibitors, trade visitors and guests to take away a lot of background information and further inspiration from this discussion.

QS favors the production of safe products

Quality assurance measures are essential for companies and determine their future. Especially in times of difficult economic conditions, the importance of modern QA solutions is high. This is why Control is one of the trade fair highlights of the year for many companies. In all industries, it is currently more important than ever to use the advantages of digitalization, networking and intelligent evaluation of information and to implement them within daily QA processes. This is because, in addition to the opportunities for increasing efficiency in production, intelligent QA also significantly benefits the manufacture of safe products. This means reducing potential error costs and additional work as well as high customer satisfaction, uncovering hidden errors in the value chain, avoiding legal consequences and often also directly preventing danger to life and limb. Whether sustainability, climate protection, energy transition, e-mobility or automation: hardly any of the current megatrends can be mastered without the digitalization of processes and production methods relating to QA. Modern QA measures therefore make a direct contribution to mastering many challenges of global importance.

TOP supporting program with special show and expert forum

In the workflows of industrial production, QA measures now extend to the full automation of testing processes; they are becoming faster and more efficient, they are carried out inline and integrated into a wide variety of processes. AI systems are increasingly providing support, particularly in the acceleration of measurement processes, measurement data evaluation and further automation. They have already penetrated the QA sector deeply and will be discussed in many areas of the trade fair. Trade visitors to Control traditionally have the opportunity to obtain up-to-date information and make new contacts via a top-class supporting program. This includes the specialist forum with topic-specific and practice-relevant presentations as well as the special show "Contactless Measurement Technology" by the Fraunhofer Vision business unit, which is being held for the 19th time this year. The special show presents technologies, applications and system components from the field of non-contact measurement and testing technology at a central location and has established itself as a marketplace for innovations among both exhibitors and trade fair visitors. On the one hand, the special show offers interested parties and potential users initial guidance when selecting a suitable technology for their own testing tasks. This is because the performance and flexibility of modern systems is constantly increasing. Larger and larger scale ranges are being covered and new fields of application opened up. Due to the rapid technical development, it is not easy for users to find their way around the market and make a suitable selection with regard to their own requirements. In addition to this initial orientation aid, the exhibitors at the special show stand also offer complete non-contact measuring and testing systems, where visitors with specific tasks can find possible solutions.

Indispensable personal contacts

The organizers are optimistic, despite the rather gloomy economic outlook: "We are looking forward to Control 2025, it will once again be a first-class industry gathering," says Bettina Schall, Managing Director of trade fair organizer P. E. Schall. "At this traditional event for the expert community, a lot of new specialist information is exchanged and important new business contacts are made. That's why personal discussions at the trade fair are so important." Exhibitors, including 25 companies from Switzerland, meet pre-informed trade visitors at Control who bring with them in-depth specialist knowledge about measurement technology. The concrete illustration and direct explanation on the object, the high level of visitor quality, the bridge from research to industry and, last but not least, the personal contact make the trade fair indispensable for many industry participants. n

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Application example inline measurement technology

Canadian manufacturer Polyrix will be showcasing its PolyScan V series for fully automated in-process inspection at Control 2025 (hall 9, stand 9205). The "V" stands for "versatility", explains the company. By adapting the scanning unit to a specific part or complex application, manufacturers can seamlessly integrate high-precision measurement technology into their production processes. The motionless PolyScan Surround 3D scanners will be presented. These are multi-sensor measurement systems that enable comprehensive three-dimensional measurement of a wide range of components. With a focus on speed, simplicity and reliability, the PolyScan system is suitable for dimensional inspection, in-process quality assurance and the inspection of components, tools and models.

Large public companies, banks and insurance companies in Switzerland have had to publish reports on non-financial matters since the 2023 financial year. Since 2024, companies have also had to disclose their climate impact as set out in the Climate Reporting Ordinance. What's more, at the end of June 2024, the Federal Council opened a consultation on further provisions on reporting obligations. As in the EU, even more companies are to report on the risks of their business activities in the areas of the environment, human rights and corruption and explain what measures they are taking in this regard.

Many companies are now faced with the question: Can the evaluation of such ESG obligations be integrated into existing EHS management systems? Or does this require additional efforts? The answers are not easy. It is therefore worth comparing the topics of "ESH" and "ESG".

EHS: locally and regionally oriented management system

Safe and environmentally friendly operating and production processes, resource conservation (e.g. cradle-to-grave optimization approaches or cradle-to-cradle cycles) and the avoidance of critical incidents and thus the avoidance of monetary and reputation-related costs are established in many companies. Such EHS management concepts are often institutionalized in the form of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certification systems, in which compliance plays a central role in addition to the mission statement, environmental or safety policy, continuous improvement process (CIP), the use of measurable indicators and the derivation of key figures. For example, audits are carried out to check whether the site-specific operating processes are designed in such a way that, for example, the heating systems do not exceed the applicable limit values in accordance with the Ordinance on Air Pollution Control (OAPC) or whether waste water is treated in accordance with the Water Protection Ordinance (WPO). Other points include the legally compliant storage of chemicals and waste disposal. In the area of occupational health and safety, the aim is to protect employees, for example, from dangerous mechanical impacts as a result of suboptimal installation or improper handling. There are many other examples of EHS. What they all have in common is that most of the potential impacts or resource consumption are of an internal, local or regional nature. Aspects relating to international supply/value chains, the "upstream", as well as consumption and end-of-life-related issues, the "downstream", are not included here.

ESG: Thematically, geographically and stakeholder-related expanded

In contrast, ESG has a global, universally diverse claim: although "E" and "S" in the term ESG basically mean the same or similar concepts as in the case of EHS, they extend the frame of reference to the global level. Upstream processes that, as part of the supply chain, are associated with a disregard for environmental regulations or human rights are searched for with a sustainability telescope, identified and dissected as precisely as possible under the microscope, evaluated, the necessary conclusions drawn and measures taken. Downstream processes are also at least considered (e.g. with regard to modular product design and therefore better reparability). Finally, the "G" in the meaning of integral, exemplary and ethical corporate management extends the concept of sustainability to the ethical and philanthropic.

Investors and decision-makers are involved in the stakeholder-centered sustainability strategy and policy, as are manufacturers far "upstream" in the supply chain. Furthermore, price structures are established that allow living wages in low-wage countries, and agreements are made with local authorities in other countries or NGOs, e.g. to support the education system. "Downstream", consumer organizations are consulted in order to initiate or establish, for example, the recycling, upcycling or reuse of certain goods. The ESG claim to overall social responsibility contrasts with the self-serving ESG drivers that also exist to position a company as "sustainable" in order to increase its reputation, turnover and shareholder value.

Which decrees and obligations apply? Difficult to see through

Establishing legal conformity in terms of ESG within the framework of ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 therefore falls short. These standards do require the identification of applicable regulations, status quo analyses, the formulation of measures and their review in the sense of continuous improvement. The legal compliance evaluation remains a key criterion for successful certification, but is limited to the EHS criteria and takes too little account of global aspects. In addition, while the obligations are being extended to even more companies - unless the EU "omnibus laws" pointing in the opposite direction come into force - the mountain of laws and regulations that must be taken into account (e.g. CSDDD, CSRD, CBAM) is also growing in parallel. This means that an orientation solution is needed to keep key regulations on the radar, monitor ongoing changes and define measures. The consulting firm IPSO ECO identified around 40 key Swiss and European regulations. From these, the most important company-relevant, specific articles were prepared as separate question masks and categorized into meaningful topics and sub-topics. Such a user-friendly electronic solution in the form of a checklist can serve as an evaluation tool. Today, it should be part of the basic equipment of good corporate management. n

Author

Niklaus Renner, a qualified environmental scientist (ETH), is Head of Compliance Management and SENS eRecycling Auditor at IPSO ECO AG. www.ipsoeco.ch, www.complyant.ch

Mr. Mastrodomenico, what does quality mean to you in the context of the furniture industry?

Davide Mastrodomenico: Furniture should be aesthetically pleasing, functional and durable. It has to withstand everyday use for years - without losing any of its character or comfort.

On Swiss Quality Day, you will be talking about the implementation of a resource-saving vision. What is behind it?

Our vision is reflected in the area of remanufacturing: we extend the service life of furniture by refurbishing it - regardless of brand. This is unique. In our supreme discipline of "upcycling", we create customized solutions from existing recyclable materials. Together with architects and designers, we develop high-quality furniture without compromising on appearance or quality. The solutions must be economically viable for both customers and us - because sustainability can only be successful in the long term if it pays off.

Girsberger was awarded the German Sustainability Award 2023 for this commitment. How did this come about?

The idea arose from the desire to reduce our ecological footprint. Originally, we only offered repairs for our own products. Growing demand led us to expand our range of services independently of manufacturers. Getting there was challenging - both technically and in terms of communication. It took a lot of convincing, because the idea of refurbishing furniture instead of replacing it was anything but self-evident. Today, we feel that thinking is changing.

The motto of TSQ 2025 is "Taking off with vision". How do you interpret this theme in relation to your work at Girsberger?

For me, this means not acting in the short term, but developing long-term, sustainable solutions. The circular economy is central to this. Our aim is to reuse materials instead of disposing of them. This requires not only technical expertise, but also the courage to break new ground. Our manufactories with their high level of craftsmanship are a decisive factor in our success.

How do you convince customers to use remanufacturing instead of buying new?

We show that refurbished furniture can be just as high-quality and individual as new products. We create trust through workshops, transparent communication and ecologically and economically attractive offers. Much of the furniture we refurbish has a substance that is often superior to today's standards.

How do you ensure the quality of the refurbished furniture?

Through strict controls and specialists who know their trade. We only use high-quality materials and guarantee the same quality as new products - including a full guarantee.

Do you have an example of a successful project?

One highlight is the "ReCollection ZH" upcycling project for the Canton of Zurich. Together with the Department of Construction and the University of Zurich, we developed a collection of office furniture that had been put into storage. Instead of being disposed of, this was used to create soft seating furniture for common areas - resource-saving and cost-effective. The ReCollection ZH was included in the cantonal procurement catalog and sends a strong signal for sustainable building.

What trends do you expect to see in the furniture industry?

Remanufacturing and upcycling will continue to gain in importance - as will leasing and sharing concepts and, as a result, second-hand offers. Digital technologies will help to improve processes and promote the implementation of circular concepts.

What synergies do you see between the furniture sector and other industries?

The furniture industry benefits from synergies with architecture, materials science and technology. Sustainable overall concepts are created with architecture in particular - through the joint use of resources and know-how. Cooperation with network partners in specialist areas also creates helpful synergies.

Why should you not miss the TSQ 2025?

Because the event offers a platform for exchange, inspiration and concrete learning. Participants benefit from insights into other industries and implemented concepts. This in turn provides valuable inspiration for their own solutions.

Thank you, Davide Mastrodomenico, for the inspiring insights. Your commitment shows how quality and sustainability go hand in hand and how quality can be rethought.

About the person

Davide Mastrodomenico joined Girsberger in 2002 and discovered his passion for high-quality furniture. He successfully managed the Customized Furniture and Remanufacturing divisions, which he played a key role in shaping and expanding. Since mid-2023, he has been Managing Director of Girsberger AG with responsibility for the Swiss and French markets.

Swiss Quality Day 2025

The Swiss Quality Day was launched in 2008 by the SAQ Swiss Association for Quality. The aim of the event is to promote a cross-industry exchange on the topic of quality as one of the cornerstones of the Swiss economy. The annual congress is organized by the SAQ Swiss Association for Quality in collaboration with Shift Switzerland. The next Swiss Quality Day will take place on May 13 in Bern.

More information and registration

Andrea Vetsch has been the face of Swiss Quality Day (TSQ) for many years and brings people and topics together as a presenter. In an interview with Prisca Zammaretti, Managing Director of SAQ, she talks about her view of quality, the challenges of presenting and her personal highlights.

Prisca Zammaretti: Andrea, the term "quality" often sounds abstract. What does it mean to you - professionally and privately?

Andrea Vetsch: For me, quality in my work is synonymous with care, correctness and accuracy. At the Tagesschau, every word has to be right, which is why we work according to the 6-eyes principle. Two other people - the producer and the "correction service" - check the content and language of the presentations. In my private life, health is my top priority - for me, that is the ultimate quality in life.

You've been hosting Swiss Quality Day for several years now. What do you always find exciting about this task?

For me, every moderation is like further training. I learn an incredible amount - be it about the circular economy, new work or creativity techniques. It's also exciting to see what topics other companies are working on. This diversity is great fun!

How do you prepare for moderation? Do you have certain rituals?

I phone everyone I'm going to have longer conversations with on stage in advance - that creates trust and a good basis. On the day itself, I try to be well rested and am grateful that someone takes care of my hair and make-up. That way I can concentrate fully on the content of the presentation.

A whole day at the congress - how do you stay calm and confident?

The biggest challenge is to maintain concentration and freshness throughout the day. Arriving well-rested is essential. Good preparation creates security. I have found that short breaks in the fresh air are particularly good for me.

What makes a good moderator for you, especially when it comes to a complex topic like quality?

A good moderator takes people along with them and addresses the questions that arise in the audience. It is varied - sometimes serious, sometimes humorous - and manages to look behind the facade of the other person. The most important thing is to create a genuine exchange, something that touches and moves.

Is there a moment on stage that you particularly remember?

At the last TSQ, neuroscientist Barbara Studer showed us how liberating it is to leave your comfort zone - so much so that we spontaneously sang "Blowing in the Wind" together on stage. Kathrin Lehmann, former top athlete and entrepreneur, also impressed us with her down-to-earth attitude and approachability. Her message about the importance of celebrating success left a lasting impression on me.

This year, the motto of the TSQ is "Take off with vision". What does that mean for you personally?

This year, I'm taking my vision to heart: in April, I'm going on a month-long trip to gain new perspectives and recharge my batteries. I will reflect on what is important to me and what goals I still want to achieve.

The topic of AI is omnipresent. What role does it play in your work as a presenter and media professional?

To be honest, I'm "old school" in this respect: I've never used tools like ChatGPT or similar before.

Finally, why should you not miss out on the TSQ?

The TSQ provides new impetus, takes you out of your bubble and offers the opportunity to meet inspiring people and projects. And of course: networking!

These are exciting insights, Andrea. It's impressive how you live quality on and off the stage and enrich the Swiss Quality Day. Thank you very much for the inspiring interview! 

About the person

Andrea Vetsch studied German, journalism and social pedagogy in Zurich. She has presented the Tagesschau since 2005, with stints on "Schweizweit" and "10vor10". After a break, she has been the face of the Tagesschau main edition again since 2020. She has been the presenter of Swiss Quality Day since 2021.

Swiss Quality Day

The Swiss Quality Day was launched in 2008 by the SAQ Swiss Association for Quality. The aim of the event is to promote a cross-industry exchange on the topic of quality as one of the cornerstones of the Swiss economy. The annual congress is organized by the SAQ Swiss Association for Quality in collaboration with Shift Switzerland.

More information and registration