Festo celebrates 100 years with leadership change and launch of the automation-themed Incredible Machine.
In 2025, Festo marks its 100th year as a family-owned global business with over $3.7 billion in revenue and approximately 20,000 employees. The company’s global headquarters is in Esslingen, Germany. With more than five decades of operations in North America, the company announced the upcoming retirement of Carlos Miranda, CEO of its North American business region, effective April 1, and the appointment of Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker as his successor. As part of its centennial activities, Festo has developed the Incredible Machine—an installation based on the Rube Goldberg concept—to illustrate key developments in automation technology and highlight the company’s technical capabilities.
“One of the wonderful things about Festo is that as a family-owned company we take a generational view of growth,” said retiring North American Business Region CEO Carlos Miranda. “For example, when I began my career at Festo in 2001, the company had just begun its transformation beyond pneumatic automation. Today, no other company matches Festo as a single source supplier of pneumatic and motion control and I/O automation. We sustained this strategic investment and vision for more than two decades.”
By aiming to improve automation innovation, products, services and workplace efficiency, Festo has contributed to developments in industrial production. Today, the company operates internationally in automation technology and provides technical education and training. Festo is marking its 100th anniversary with celebrations involving employees, customers and partners globally throughout the year.
Festo names Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker CEO of North America business region
Festo announced that Carlos Miranda has retired as CEO of its North American Business Region on April 1. Dr. Wilm Uhlenbecker has been appointed as his successor and assumed the role on the same day.
Uhlenbecker began his career in 1994 as a management trainee at Robert Bosch GMBH. By 2003, he was serving as assistant to the CEO and chairman of the supervisory board at Bosch. Over the course of his career, he has held various leadership roles including his most recent position as president Brose Group NA, starting in 2019. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany. Uhlenbecker joined Festo on Jan. 15 and is currently participating in a two-month onboarding program. He will report to Thomas Böck, chairman of the board.
Incredible Machine highlights automation milestones and technical expertise
To mark its centennial, Festo created the Festo Incredible Machine, a Rube Goldberg inspired installation that illustrates the evolution of automation technology and highlights the company’s technical expertise.
Current and emerging trends in automation
The Incredible Machine highlights key pneumatic, electric and digital motion technologies across the main industries served by Festo. It provides an overview of how these technologies are evolving and presents potential future developments in automation. The installation reflects Festo’s ongoing commitment to technical innovation and education.
A small mechanical trigger initiates the motion sequence in the installation. Festo eMotionButterfly acts as the first activation point in a 12 modules system extending 46 feet, where each module activates the next. The display highlights Festo’s historical expertise and future direction in automation. It includes more than 1000 Festo products and 1.12 miles of tubing and cabling.
Motion in automation
Motion is a fundamental element in many manufacturing and process industry operations—whether handling materials, positioning components, or regulating the flow of liquids and bulk goods. Festo focuses on motion technologies as a key part of its automation solutions.
The machine is not intended for sale but serves as a demonstration platform for automation technologies. It is designed to showcase technical solutions and underscore the value of creative problem-solving in maintaining competitiveness. Festo aims to support customers with integrated electrical, pneumatic and digital systems, along with tailored training courses provided by Festo Didactic.
Innovations can address specific challenges and contribute to developments in various sectors. These advances are often shaped through collaboration with customers and partners seeking practical solutions. The installation highlights several industries, including battery production for electric cars, laboratory automation in the life sciences, intralogistics and the semiconductor industry. It also includes a look at the company’s history and ongoing developments in actuator technology. The installation concludes with a preview of future directions in automation.
Motion technologies are playing an increasingly important role across industries, the company suggest, and the long-term impact of these motion control and other automation developments will continue to evolve.
Festo reports steady results in 2024 despite market slowdown
The Festo Group reported stable result for the financial year 2024, comparable to the previous year. This was announced by Böck, at the press conference held during the Hannover Messe. Festo expanded its portfolio in electric and pneumatic automation, with developments in control technology and digital solutions, software and AI. The company plans to continue investing in product and technology development to support its automation offerings and related training programs.
Financial year 2024/2025
Sales fell 5.5% to 3.45 billion euros from-3.65 billion euros in 2023.
Economic uncertainty reduced investment activity in machine and plant engineering across many sectors and regions, particularly in Asia and Europe. The electronics industry, a key segment for Festo and the broader economy, has not shown signs of recovery in 2024. The USA, South America and India experienced stable performance, along with the technical education segment under the Festo Didactic division.
Festo maintains steady R&D investment and staffing in 2024
“We are pleased with our business result and will continue to invest heavily into our future,” said Böck. Festo invested 8.8% of its turnover to research and development in 2024, up from 7.7% the previous year. The company expanded its portfolio in electric and pneumatic automation, particularly in the areas of control technology and digital solutions, software and AI.
The total number of employees remained at approximately 20,600. Of these, around 8,200 were based in Germany (compared to 8,400 the previous year), and about 12,400 were employed internationally (up from 12,200) abroad. “We kept the number of employees stable during the downturn and continue to hire new apprentices and skilled workers – especially in forward-looking areas such as digitalization, software and AI,” said Böck.
Regional operations support global customer needs
Festo continues to develop and deliver solutions through its regional facilities to meet customers needs efficiently. The company is expanding its global development, production and logistics infrastructure, along with its supply chain. Efforts are focused on regionalizing operations to reduce transport distances and simplify supply chains.
“Alongside China, India as well as North and South America are gaining in importance to us as growth markets. However, we also want to continue to be strong for our customers in Europe.” said Böck.
Festo outlines long-term plans for growth in key and emerging automation sectors
Festo plans to expand in existing and emerging sectors, including semiconductor industry, life sciences, electromobility/batteries and hydrogen, amid positive growth prospects for the automation market.
Long-term outlook for the automation market remains positive, with growing relevance in the transformation of existing and emerging industries.
Festo marks its centennial with the theme “Automation for a world in motion,” emphasizing its focus on providing integrated automation solutions to support customers’ motion needs.
Edited by Puja Mitra, WTWH Media, for Control Engineering, from a Festo news release.
