Building the Future: VDMA’s AG BIM GA/ELT Elects New Steering Committee to Lead Digital Transformation Through 2030

The German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) has reached a significant milestone in its pursuit of digital excellence. Following four years of foundational work, the Working Group (AG) for Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Building Automation (GA) and Electrical Engineering (ELT) has concluded its latest members’ assembly by electing a new Steering Committee. This transition marks the beginning of a strategic four-year roadmap aimed at standardizing digital processes in construction and building operations, setting a clear trajectory for the industry through 2030.

Core Facts: A New Chapter for Industry Standardization

The VDMA’s AG BIM GA/ELT serves as the primary nexus for manufacturers, planners, and software developers working to integrate electrical engineering and building automation into the broader BIM ecosystem. The recent election process saw the appointment of a multi-disciplinary leadership team tasked with navigating the complexities of modern digital construction.

Joachim Schmidt, the newly elected chairman of the steering committee, underscored the importance of this mandate. The committee is comprised of industry experts representing some of the most influential firms in the European building technology sector, including Siemens, Schneider Electric, Wago, and Eplan. Their primary objective is to move beyond the "construction phase" focus of BIM and drive deep integration into the lifecycle management and facility management sectors.

The New Steering Committee Composition

The committee consists of a diverse group of experts representing a cross-section of the industry:

• Chairman: Joachim Schmidt
• Key Committee Members: Guido Brück (TRIC GmbH), Marcel Hassenewert (Phoenix Contact Deutschland GmbH), Markus Hettig (Fibox GmbH), Dörthe Knefelkamp (Wago GmbH & Co. KG), Hans-Joachim Langels (Siemens AG), Matthias Meier-Reichenberg (Schneider Electric GmbH), Thomas Nieborg (Wieland Electric GmbH), Mareike Rikos (Sauter Deutschland GmbH), Rolf Schulte (Eplan GmbH & Co. KG), and Thomas Müller.

Chronology of the AG BIM GA/ELT

The evolution of the AG BIM GA/ELT is a testament to the industry’s shift toward digital-first planning.

2022–2026: The Foundational Phase
Four years ago, the VDMA recognized that the fragmentation of electrical data in BIM models was a bottleneck for the German building sector. The AG BIM GA/ELT was formed to create a common language—standardized data structures and exchange protocols—that would allow electrical components to "talk" to the HVAC systems and building management systems (BMS) within a unified BIM model.

2024: The Mid-Term Benchmark
By 2024, the group successfully released several white papers and technical guidelines that addressed the interoperability of GA/ELT data. This period saw the first major collaborative efforts between software providers like Eplan and hardware manufacturers to ensure that component data could flow seamlessly from the design office to the commissioning phase.

May 2026: The Strategic Reset
The most recent assembly served as more than just an administrative formality; it acted as a strategic pivot point. Having established the "proof of concept" for their standardization models, the committee now shifts its focus toward mass adoption and the integration of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) into the BIM workflow.

Supporting Data and Industry Context

The necessity for this steering committee’s work is backed by compelling industry data. Currently, the construction industry faces a "productivity paradox." While design technology has advanced, on-site execution and building operation phases often suffer from high error rates and data loss—a phenomenon often referred to as the "BIM Data Gap."

• Interoperability Costs: Industry reports suggest that up to 30% of construction costs are attributed to rework, much of which stems from mismanaged information during the handover from planning to execution.
• The ELT/GA Challenge: Electrical and Automation components are among the most dynamic elements of a building. With the rise of "Smart Buildings," the complexity of these systems has increased by roughly 40% over the last decade, making standardized digital representations essential for long-term maintenance.
• VDMA Reach: By uniting these major players, the VDMA provides a platform that influences the entire value chain, from component manufacturing to facility management software, ensuring that German engineering standards remain globally competitive.

Official Responses and Strategic Vision

In their official press release following the assembly, the VDMA leadership emphasized that the continuity of the committee members—many of whom are returning for another term—is a calculated decision to ensure stability during a volatile technological era.

"The past four years have demonstrated the immense potential of practice-oriented collaboration," noted Joachim Schmidt, the new chairman. "We are not just drafting standards; we are defining the future of how buildings are built and operated. Our path is set to continue this momentum, providing new impulses for digital planning and strengthening the exchange within the industry."

The leadership emphasized that the new mandate is focused on three pillars:

1. Optimization of Schnittstellen (Interfaces): Reducing friction between the different software platforms used by architects, electrical engineers, and facility managers.
2. Lifecycle Integration: Ensuring that the BIM model remains a "Digital Twin" that provides value long after the building is handed over to the owner.
3. Sustainability Metrics: Using BIM to track the energy efficiency of electrical systems throughout the building’s operational life, supporting the EU’s green building mandates.

Implications for the Sector: The Path to 2030

The election of this committee signals several major trends for the next four years:

1. From "Static" to "Dynamic" BIM

Until now, BIM has largely been treated as a static 3D model. The new steering committee is expected to push for "Dynamic BIM," where the building model acts as a real-time dashboard for building operations. This will involve deeper integration with Building Management Systems (BMS) and predictive maintenance protocols.

2. Standardization as a Competitive Advantage

For German SMEs (Mittelstand) in the electrical sector, the work of the VDMA is critical. By creating standardized data formats, the VDMA allows smaller manufacturers to compete on a global stage. Their products become "plug-and-play" within international BIM software environments, reducing the barriers to entry and fostering innovation.

3. The Human Factor in Digital Transformation

Beyond the software and the hardware, the committee is tasked with the "human side" of the transformation. Digital transformation often fails because of internal company processes, not just technical limitations. The VDMA’s new strategy includes initiatives to foster a culture of digital literacy within the workforce, ensuring that the technicians and engineers of the future are equipped to handle the complexities of the digital construction site.

4. Navigating the Technological Umbruch (Upheaval)

The industry is currently in a state of flux. The rise of AI-assisted design, generative design, and advanced robotics on construction sites requires a robust data foundation. The AG BIM GA/ELT is effectively building the "data infrastructure" upon which these advanced technologies will rely. Without the standards defined by this committee, the adoption of AI in construction would be hampered by inconsistent and messy datasets.

Conclusion

The appointment of the new Steering Committee for the VDMA’s AG BIM GA/ELT is a significant signal of intent. In a world where buildings are becoming increasingly complex, "intelligent," and energy-intensive, the role of electrical engineering and automation is paramount.

By focusing on the integration of planning, execution, and operation, the VDMA is positioning itself at the center of the digital transformation of the construction industry. As the committee begins its term, all eyes will be on how they translate these high-level strategic goals into practical, industry-wide standards that will govern the buildings of 2030 and beyond. For the member companies, this is more than a governance shift—it is a collective commitment to securing the future of the German building technology sector in a digital-first global market.