Resilience Management for SMEs – Becoming Crisis-Resilient and Remaining Successful
Companies worldwide are increasingly confronted with unforeseen events – from geopolitical crises and trade conflicts to profound transformations driven by climate change and digitalization. These realities require continuous adaptation across the entire value chain.
To successfully navigate these challenges, companies – especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) – must targetedly strengthen their resilience.
The IHK Southern Upper Rhine and the Sustainability Center Freiburg cordially invite you to a joint event. Through expert presentations and interactive topic stations, you will learn how to detect crises early, manage risks more effectively, and position your company resilience-ready for the future.
What to Expect
- Expert Insights: Keynotes and presentations by experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut (EMI), and the University of Freiburg on strategic and operational resilience.
- Interactive Exchange: Bring your specific business challenges to the topic stations, evaluate potentials, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
- Practical Topics: From resilience assessment and sustainable logistics to AI-based infrastructure monitoring and funding opportunities for SMEs.
- Networking: Connect with peers and experts during the concluding networking session with snacks and drinks.
Who Should Attend?
This event is designed for:
- Owners, managing directors, and executives of small and medium-sized enterprises
- Operations managers, heads of business development, quality managers, and process owners
- Experts from research and consulting in corporate resilience
- Interested professionals from crafts, industry, and service sectors
Agenda
4:00 PM | Welcome & Introduction
- Dr. Juri Lienert (Sustainability Center Freiburg)
- Michael Löffler & Hülya Sevgin (IHK Southern Upper Rhine)
4:15 PM | Keynote
Resilience Engineering Concept for Crisis Resilience
Prof. Dr. Alexander Stolz (Fraunhofer EMI / INATECH, University of Freiburg)
4:35 PM | Presentations: Strategic Resilience for SMEs
- Resilience Assessment for SMEs – Jörg Finger (Fraunhofer EMI)
- Analytical Methods of Resilience Management for Production Processes – Dr.-Ing. Kai Fischer (Fraunhofer EMI)
- Resilient and Sustainable Logistics (Project "ASTROIT") – Dr. Mirjam Fehling-Kaschek (Fraunhofer EMI)
5:05 PM | Exchange at Topic Stations & Break
5:35 PM | Funding Opportunities
- Philipp Klemenz (IHK Southern Upper Rhine)
5:45 PM | Presentations: Operational Resilience and Infrastructure
- Infrastructure Monitoring with Robotics and AI – Dr. Dominik Merkle (Fraunhofer EMI)
- Building Resilience Calculator – Dr. Julia Rosin (Fraunhofer EMI)
- Climate Change-Induced Environmental Transformations in BW – Prof. Dr. Dirk Schindler (University of Freiburg)
6:15 PM | Wrap-Up
6:30 PM | Networking with Snacks and Drinks
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM (followed by a networking reception)
- Location: Fraunhofer Institute for High-Speed Dynamics, Ernst-Mach-Institut, EMI (Ernst-Zermelo-Straße 4, 79104 Freiburg, Germany)
- Format: In-person event
- Cost: Participation is free of charge.
Register Now
Secure your spot for this free event early: Link