On July 1 and 2, 2025, the Training & Education Center (TEC) of the HAHN Automation Group once again became a stage for aspiring professionals. For the fifth time, the RegioCup of WorldSkills Germany in the competition disciplines "Industrial Mechanic | Mechatronics" was held here. Twelve apprentices and their trainers from various companies in Germany and Austria traveled to take part and prove their skills at challenging technical stations. Among them were five of our own apprentices from Rheinböllen and Kremsmünster.
Team Spirit and Technical Expertise
In addition to our HAHN apprentices, participants came from Thomas Magnete, Griesson – de Beukelaer, KNIPEX, and heinrichs drehteile. Tuesday’s program was all about training and preparation. In the two competition categories, "Industrial Mechanic" and "Mechatronics," participants tackled a six-station course focused on hands-on challenges. Tasks included manual machining, electro-pneumatics, LOGO! programming, wiring, and circuit design—at a level comparable to the first part of the German final exam, yet with the added pressure of competition.
On Wednesday, the main event began. Despite the tight schedule, everything ran smoothly and exactly on time. A big reason for this was the support from our dedicated apprentices on the Technical Support team, who played a key role in the successful execution of the event—thank you for your outstanding work!
Mechatronics: HAHN Apprentices Sweep the Podium
Excitement peaked in the late afternoon with the awards ceremony—and the results were truly impressive, especially for the HAHN Automation Group.
In the Mechatronics competition, all three top spots went to our apprentices:
- 🥇 1st Place: Tim Lilienthal (HAHN Automation Group, Rheinböllen)
- 🥈 2nd Place: Jakob Schreiner (HAHN Automation Group Austria, Kremsmünster)
- 🥉 3rd Place: Elias Ritt (HAHN Automation Group, Rheinböllen)
A remarkable achievement that reflects the dedication of both the participants and their trainers!
In the Industrial Mechanic category, the competition was just as strong. The top three rankings went to:
- 🥇1st Place: Nico Seibert, Thomas Magnete
- 🥈 2nd Place: Lena Resch, Griesson – de Beukelaer
- 🥉3rd Place: Anton Jaster, KNIPEX
There was also praise from an official source: Stephan Paschke, board member of WorldSkills Germany, attended the event as a delegate. He joined the awards ceremony and praised the organization, atmosphere, and execution of the RegioCup in Rheinböllen.
“Good Preparation—and Have Fun!”: Voices from the Competition
Tim Lilienthal, a second-year mechatronics apprentice, deliberately used the competition as a training opportunity. “I want to learn how to handle pressure better,” he explained. He especially enjoys LOGO! programming, where he already had some experience. To prepare for the RegioCup, he practiced targeted skills and developed a rough plan for each station. Support from his team played a key role: “You always have someone to talk to if something’s unclear.”
Elias Ritt, an electronics technician in his second year, was participating for the second time—with a clear goal in mind: “I want to avoid the mistakes I made last year and prepare for the German national championship.” Having been through it before, he was more familiar with the flow and requirements of the event: “I'm in my second year now and have learned a lot technically.” He sees the experience of working under time pressure as a valuable opportunity to grow—both personally and professionally.
Developing Skills, Empowering the Next Generation—That’s WorldSkills
The RegioCup is more than just a competition. It’s part of a global movement that gives young people a platform to showcase their strengths, discover new talents, and shape their professional future. WorldSkills Germany champions excellence in vocational training—both nationally and internationally.
The HAHN Automation Group fully supports this mission. As a co-initiator and long-time host of the RegioCup, we provide a practical, real-world environment for young talent to thrive. Modern training facilities, committed instructors, and strong team spirit make Rheinböllen a place for learning, collaboration, and growth.
