FACE TO FACE
At Blechexpo, for the first time, TRUMPF presented a fully automated, interlinked system from its next generation of TruBend Center 7030 panel bending machines, TruMatic 5000 punching and laser machines and the STOPA Flex automated storage system.
“ STOPA recently launched a new flexible STOPA Flex 25 storage system at the Blechexpo / Schweisstec trade show in Stuttgart, Germany.”
A HOLISTIC VIEW
Dirk Ritter, STOPA’ s head of sales and service, outlined the company’ s closer alignment with TRUMPF to ISMR at Blechexpo / Schweisstec. He also discussed global market movements, trends, tariffs, challenges and new technologies.
STOPA was founded in Achern, Germany, in 1963 and employs more than 300 people. The family company specialises in automated storage systems for sheet metal and long goods. Storage systems from STOPA can be adapted to the growing challenges of modern smart factory production or integrated into existing factories. Its products range from stand-alone applications to integrated automation modules. The independent company has installed over 2,500 systems worldwide.
High-tech sheet metal, laser and software specialist TRUMPF and STOPA have now further expanded their successful 40-year partnership. TRUMPF has now increased its stake in STOPA Anlagenbau GmbH from the current 25.1 per cent share to 74.9 per cent. Both companies publicly announced this in October 2025.
Among other things, STOPA supplies automated storage systems for TRUMPF’ s smart factory solutions. Customers can use these to automatically load and unload their machines and link them together logistically. Productivity in manufacturing increases as unproductive downtime is greatly reduced. STOPA’ s storage systems feature automation and benefit from TRUMPF’ s Oseon software, which further simplifies production planning and control right through to fully automated sheet metal production.
ISMR caught up with Dirk Ritter, STOPA’ s head of sales, at the Blechexpo / Schweisstec Dirk Ritter, Head of Sales and Service, STOPA.
50 | ismr. net | ISMR November 2025