...increasing cost pressure Shapes, colours and surfaces are becoming increasingly versatile with modern architecture. That also applies to precast construction tech- nology. Therefore, precast manufacturers concentrate nowadays on a wider range of concrete components for the ever increasing competi- tion for customers. At the same time, however, the necessary capacities for new construction projects are becoming larger and the cost pres- sure is increasing. The machine technology and the processes for the production of precast concrete elements must follow these trends. Retrofitting - the modernisation or expansion of the existing plant technology - is a determinative buzzword.