Schramberg, September 9, 2026 – With the official opening of the new Research and Development Lab (R&D Lab) at its corporate headquarters in Schramberg, KERN LIEBERS is sending a strong signal regarding its commitment to technological development and expertise, as well as the company’s future viability. The new development center consolidates research and development activities at a central location and creates optimal conditions for the development of new technologies, materials, and products.
In recent years, KERN LIEBERS has consistently expanded its research and development capabilities. The company has made targeted investments in modern testing facilities and has continuously expanded its corporate R&D team. Numerous successful development projects, scientific publications, technical presentations, patents, and awards underscore the company’s growing importance as an innovative technology partner.
With the new R&D Lab, these activities are now brought together under one roof. The immediate proximity of laboratories, test facilities, and offices fosters interdisciplinary exchange and enables even more efficient development processes. At the same time, the R&D Lab is evolving into a platform for exchange between academia and industry. The physical infrastructure creates optimal conditions for collaborating with universities, research institutions, and industry partners on new technologies, materials, and applications, and for specifically accelerating the transfer of research results into marketable solutions.
Guests at the opening ceremony include representatives from politics, academia, and business, among them State Secretary Thomas Dörflinger, MdL, who will deliver a welcoming address, as well as Schramberg’s Mayor Dorothee Eisenlohr. Dr. Benjamin Hertweck, Senior Vice President of Corporate R&D at KERN LIEBERS, and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Fleischer from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will provide expert insights. In his presentation titled “Black Forest Speed—Agile Transition from the University to Value Creation,” Fleischer will highlight the successful transfer of scientific findings into industrial applications.
During a tour, guests will also gain insights into the new R&D Lab as well as current research and development projects
“The new R&D Lab is not a short-term project, but the result of a clear strategic development. By pooling our expertise, we are creating the ideal conditions for developing innovative solutions to meet tomorrow’s demands and further expanding our position as a technology partner,” explains Dr. Wolfgang Gref, CTO at KERN LIEBERS.
“The opening of KERN LIEBERS’ new research and development lab in Schramberg is an impressive example of the company’s innovative strength and future viability. This is not only an important step for the company but also a strong signal for the region and the entire industry. “I am convinced that the new R&D lab will play a key role in the further development of innovative solutions, and I wish KERN LIEBERS every success on this journey,” says Thomas Dörflinger, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Crafts, and Tourism.
The work at the new R&D Lab focuses on the targeted advancement of existing expertise. Research findings are consistently translated into practical applications to offer customers worldwide intelligent and cost-effective solutions. Examples include new materials, modern simulation methods, and future-oriented technologies for demanding industrial applications.
Photo from left to right.
Dr. Benjamin Hertweck, SVP Corporate R&D at KERN LIEBERS; Prof. Jürgen Fleischer, KIT/Institute for Production Engineering; Dr. Wolfgang Gref, CTO, KERN LIEBERS; Ms. Eisenlohr, Mayor of Schramberg; State Secretary Thomas Dörflinger, Member of the State Parliament—Ministry of Economic Affairs, Crafts, and Tourism; Daniela Jardot, Team Leader for Innovation and Technology, IHK Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg,
Dr. Erek Speckert, CEO of KERN LIEBERS.
