Dr. Nils Schmid, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Defence, Sabine Dittmar, Member of the German Bundestag, District Administrator Sonja Rahm and other representatives of local government visited JOPP in Bad Neustadt to discuss innovation, opportunities for SMEs and future technologies.
The visit focused on the topic of “Civilian and Military Drone and Space Technologies as an Opportunity for Automotive Suppliers.” The political representatives had the opportunity to learn about current developments and innovative technologies and to discuss the potential of the regional industrial sector in the field of security-relevant future technologies.
JOPP presented its broad range of expertise, from steel and plastics to electronics. The discussions focused on current projects in these future-oriented fields as well as on HIGHCAT, JOPP’s technology partner. HIGHCAT is a German drone startup developing modular multicopter solutions for security applications. JOPP and HIGHCAT have already launched their first joint production project. It is an example of how a startup’s development speed and technological expertise can be combined with the manufacturing know-how and production capacities of an established automotive supplier—a combination that is a particular strength of the German industrial sector, especially in international comparison.
The discussions also covered technological innovations, the importance of the Bad Neustadt site for research and development, and the prospects for close cooperation between business, politics and the German Armed Forces. JOPP also called for greater support and recognition of cooperation between SMEs and startups. Such partnerships can make an important contribution to establishing a strong and resilient supply network for the German Armed Forces in times of crisis.
JOPP’s management emphasized the company’s willingness to apply its industrial expertise to new applications and markets. In addition to defense and space, these include the semiconductor industry and robotics.
During a tour of the JOPP campus in Bad Neustadt, the participants gained insights into the company’s development, testing, prototyping, equipment engineering and cleanroom facilities. A short demonstration flight of HIGHCAT’s “OCELOT” reconnaissance drone also provided an opportunity to experience one of the current technology projects first-hand. The visit offered insights into JOPP’s modern production processes, current development projects and strategic direction for the future.
JOPP’s management pointed out that, due to the high cost pressure from automotive customers, new orders are increasingly being implemented at JOPP sites in the Czech Republic and Hungary. In the defense sector, however, JOPP is deliberately maintaining production at its Bad Neustadt site and is currently investing in advance by establishing two new production lines. The company is now looking for corresponding follow-up orders from the German Armed Forces.
JOPP has been rooted in Bad Neustadt for more than 100 years and has developed from a regional industrial company into an internationally active corporate group.
Today, in addition to the automotive, commercial vehicle and agricultural machinery industries, the JOPP Group is active in future-oriented fields such as defense, medical technology, semiconductor manufacturing, robotics and space.
JOPP particularly emphasized the opportunities that potential government contracts in the fields of defense and space could create for SMEs. Available capacities within the German SME sector could be utilized at short notice, especially as JOPP can directly transfer technologies and expertise from the automotive industry to new applications.
JOPP’s management underlined the importance of dialogue between politics and business.
The visit highlighted the role of the JOPP Group as a strong industrial partner and attractive employer in the region, as well as its commitment to technological advancement and sustainable growth.
Strengthening defense capabilities is not solely a question of military capabilities. It is also a matter of resilience, industrial expertise and technological sovereignty. Companies such as JOPP can play an important role in this context—as innovative and internationally experienced industrial partners that are firmly rooted in Germany, possess a broad technological base and have the ability to provide highly specialized manufacturing.