2025 was a year that challenged and shaped the industry in many ways. It was a year in which companies had to overcome economic uncertainties, understand new regulatory requirements, and continue to drive forward digitalization projects. Despite all these challenges, 2025 was also a year of learning and adaptation, and for many companies, a real catalyst for innovation.
It was also a significant year for Kontron and the Kontron susietec® ecosystem. Despite a challenging market environment, Kontron was able to significantly increase its profit margins and further solidify its position as a leading IoT and embedded specialist. Strong investments in research and development, a growing software portfolio, and a clear focus on secure, connected edge solutions contributed significantly to this success. 2025 not only brought change, but also laid the foundation for further growth.
2025: Consolidation, Optimization, and Accelerated Digitalization in Industry
This development is also reflected in the situation of many industrial
“For the automation industry and many other industrial sectors, 2025 was a year of consolidation and optimization.” explains Bernhard Günthner, Managing Director of Kontron Technologies GmbH and EVP IoT Software & Solutions.
He adds:
“Declining order intake coupled with rising costs has presented many companies with major challenges. The pressure to leverage efficiency potential and accelerate digitalization initiatives has been greater than ever before. This is precisely where we were able to actively support our customers—with practical IoT solutions that can be implemented quickly and create real added value.”
The Kontron susietec® portfolio also demonstrated that this approach is the right one: whether KontronOS, our IoT Bundles, or our growing cloud stack, 2025 was the year in which many digitalization projects were not only continued but deliberately accelerated. Companies are increasingly turning to pre-integrated solutions that reduce complexity, lower costs, and deliver added value more quickly.
CRA, NIS-2, RED: New Regulatory Standards for Secure Industrial Processes
At the same time, another trend has become much more pronounced in 2025: regulation is becoming a strategic priority. Whereas digitalization used to be a competitive factor, it is now becoming a binding standard due to requirements such as CRA, NIS-2, RED, and IEC 62443.
These standards are by no means pure bureaucracy – they define what secure digital systems of the future must look like. And they force companies to ask fundamental questions:
• Are our devices updatable?
• Do we meet CRA requirements?
• How do we protect data flows in OT networks?
• How do we modernize outdated but still used systems?
This is precisely why IoT Bundles consisting of hardware, KontronOS, connectivity, and cloud services are gaining in importance. They deliver tried-and-tested combinations, are CRA-ready, reduce integration costs, and deliver quick wins. This is a decisive advantage in a year that has been characterized by efficiency and speed.
2026: Cybersecurity as a Decisive Competitive Factor for
Looking ahead, it is clear that 2026 will not be a year of calm, but rather a year of new priorities. And the issue at the top of the agenda is Cybersecurity.
