The ongoing digital transformation brings pressure to adapt, but also potential for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the textile and clothing industry. High investment costs for new technologies, insufficient employee qualifications and a lack of standards are examples of obstacles that explain the reluctance of many SMEs to digitalize. There is therefore a need for SME-specific information, both in terms of possible solutions and specific implementations, as well as support for the initiation and realization of implementation projects. The competence center “Mittelstand 4.0-Kompetenzzentrum Textil vernetzt”, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), is intended to meet these needs, illustrate the potential of digitization and networking, and show SMEs how to get there.
