The "Forschungsgemeinschaft Werkzeuge and Werkstoffe e.V. (FGW)" ("Research Association for Tools and Materials") was founded in 1953 by the tool industry. The aim of this non-profit-making association was to take over the research and development work necessary for progress on behalf of small and medium-sized companies.

The "Forschungsgemeinschaft Werkzeuge and Werkstoffe" today numbers more than a hundred sponsors including companies, associations, and the towns of Remscheid and Solingen. The testing institutes of both towns have also since joined the association. On 03.09.2003, the FGW and its research institute, the IFW, were appointed an external department of the Bergische Universität Wuppertal.

Involvement in the association, which has for years worked together with small and medium-sized companies, creates useful and efficient synergies in the fields of quality management, material sciences, environmental analysis and practical scientific research.

In addition to research itself, the FGW provides a wide range of other services for small and medium-sized industry. For this purpose, the FGW consists of three institutes:

The "Versuchs- and Prüfanstalt (VPA)" ("Trials and Testing Institute") is a service-provider for material and tool testing. It is also a GS ("Geprüfte Sicherheit") testing centre for tools approved by the "Bundesminister für Arbeit and Soziales" ("German Ministry of Employment and Social Security").

The "Institut für Werkzeugforschung (IFW)" ("Institute for Tool Research") is concerned with tool and material research, and carries out industrial research "to order" and joint research.

The "Institut für Umwelt and Betrieb (IUB)" ("Institute for Environment and Business") is a service-provider for health and safety at work and the environment.

The FGW was in 2002 given an award by "Regionale 2006" for "unusual initiatives" as an innovative company as part of the campaign "Living Company Culture in the "Bergisch Triangle".

Further information is available from www.fgw.de.