Minden (bms). MINDA is one of Germany's most innovative medium-sized companies, as officially confirmed by an independent jury awarding it the Top 100 Seal for 2026. As part of this year's SME Summit, the awards ceremony took place in Heidelberg in June.
"We are proud to have received this award. This is a wonderful testimony to our innovative approach and to the fact that, over the years, the hard work, passion, and commitment we’ve invested in every single project have paid off,” said Robert Falch, managing partner of MINDA Industrieanlagen.
Innovative power for customized solutions
With its roots in mechanical and plant construction, MINDA develops and manufactures solutions for customized and intelligent material flow for a wide range of industries. Products in the fields of intralogistics, plant construction and conveyor technology are used, for example, in the corrugated board industry, the solid wood industry, the automotive industry, and the wood-based panel industry.
Dr. Kai Ventz, Head of MINDA's research and development department, knows what matters most in every single project: "Innovation is in MINDA's DNA. Because that is exactly what matters when it comes to customized projects. We don't provide off-the-shelf solutions - we allow our customers to achieve what others wouldn't even dare to attempt."
To continuously drive innovation within the company, MINDA involves all employees through its internal idea submission program. The so-called “Ideenschmiede” (like a “think tank”) is a powerful tool for specifically gathering employee knowledge and converting it into measurable improvements.
One example is the “Compact Crane” storage and retrieval machine, which is especially designed for the company’s in-house buffer and warehouse solutions. Particularly when it comes to certain requirements, such as low installation heights, innovative strength is essential to provide customers with the best possible solution. The Compact Crane is used, for example, in the corrugated board and solid wood industries.
Research and AI as drivers of innovation
Specialized expertise is also essential in press technology for the solid wood industry. To meet customer-specific and market needs, we require innovative ideas in the areas of hydraulics and press technology, an understanding of processes and materials, automation, and quality assurance. MINDA has, for example, developed a four- and even five-chamber rotary press where several glulam beams can be pressed simultaneously.
In addition, MINDA is collaborating with the University of Hannover on a basic research project. In collaboration with university research institutions, possible influencing factors on the “sheet-walk effect” are being investigated, and a simulation model is being developed to prevent this effect in corrugated board production. Moreover, MINDA is working on AI solutions to optimize the transport of materials within the company. And all this is just a glimpse into MINDA's wide portfolio of innovations.