1. First Come, First Serve

The "First Come, First Serve" rule states that only one machine building company or component supplier per specific market segment and area is served at each United Automation Hub location. If a company is the first partner to be accepted at a location, it has the preemptive right to prevent other competitors from the same industry from joining. However, if the company uses this option, it must proportionally cover the membership fee of the potential new member to compensate for the hub's financial resources.

2. Confirmation by the Advisory Board

Every new member of the United Automation Hub must be confirmed by the Advisory Board. Several criteria are examined:

3. Compliance

The company must comply with industry-standard ethical and legal standards.

4. Technical Excellence

It must be a high-performance company that contributes to the platform's innovative strength.

5. Strategic Plan

The company must have a clear plan for the coming years, outlining the goals and strategies for the US market.

6. First-Come-First-Serve Principle

The company's admission must not negatively impact an existing partner in their market segment.

7. Contact Person

A clearly named contact person at C-level must be available and reachable for the Advisory Board and the network.

8. Confidentiality and Secrecy

Each member commits to absolute confidentiality regarding information shared within the membership. This applies to both technological and business strategy information. A breach of confidentiality will result in an immediate review by the Advisory Board.

9. Transparent Communication

All members must maintain open and transparent communication. This applies to both interactions within the network and communication with customers. Dishonest behavior or withholding relevant information is considered a breach of rules.

10. High Quality Standards

Each member commits to maintaining the highest quality standards in their work. These apply to both products and services provided. The United Automation Hub's reputation as a platform for excellent performance is only guaranteed if all members continuously deliver high-level performance.

11. Ethical Business Conduct

Each member must adhere to ethical business practices and ensure that both internal processes and customer relationships meet the highest ethical standards. This includes, among other things, fair working conditions and respectful treatment of customers and employees.

12. No Direct Competitive Negotiations

Members of the United Automation Hub may not actively engage in competitive negotiations with each other to displace competitors from the network. Each member is encouraged to see competition as an incentive for their own improvements, but without jeopardizing the integrity of the network.

13. Continuous Improvement

All members commit to the continuous improvement of their services and processes. The United Automation Hub is a platform of excellence and should continuously grow and improve, which must be actively supported by each member.

14. Network Engagement

Each member commits to active engagement in the network. This includes regular participation in meetings, active collaboration with other members, and sales support for the network. Both specialized component suppliers and machine builders are encouraged to expand the network by recommending other qualified companies. These companies should meet our standards and have the potential to further strengthen the platform through their input and expertise.

15. Innovation and Further Development

Members of the United Automation Hub commit to actively contributing to the platform's innovation and further development. All members should regularly contribute their experiences and visions to promote the platform's further development in terms of service quality, process efficiency, and technological progress.

The exchange of technology among members is particularly important, provided it does not inhibit competitive advantages or violate existing Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs). This exchange should support members in strengthening each other and benefiting from each other on a specialized platform. The goal is for each member to benefit from the shared expertise in a future-oriented network and thus further improve their market position.

16. Summary: The Evolution of the Membership Rules

The Membership Rules of the United Automation Hub are not just a set of rules, but a statute that each member signs upon joining the network. They ensure that all members operate at the highest professional level and support each other. These rules safeguard the integrity of the network, promote innovation, and ensure compliance with the highest ethical standards.

At the same time, these rules are a living document that will evolve with the times and market demands. The United Automation Hub reserves the right to continuously revise and improve these rules in the best interests of all members to secure and expand the quality standards and competitiveness of the network.

Our goal is to ensure, through these rules and joint commitment, that we continue to actively shape technological progress and the future viability of our industry. In doing so, we always strive to adhere to the highest ethical framework and advance humanity through our technology. Because the future is in our hands, and we have the responsibility to shape and define it through technology.