As silent and fast as the wind - modern electromobility combines precision and speed to create pure dynamics. It took a lot of this dynamism from three southern German companies for one of the innovations in this industry to get off the ground in time.
Bernhard Hilliges, Managing Director at DECKER Anlagenbau in Berching, Bavaria, receives a call from the fischer group in Achern-Fautenbach, Baden-Württemberg, in January 2021. The renowned manufacturer of components (automotive) has a very specific requirement profile for him. For DECKER Anlagenbau, it is not the content of the task that goes beyond the usual - it is rather the schedule that makes this order something special.
fischer is working with a new customer, a start-up with great potential. The future belongs to electromobility. The established car manufacturers are now aware of this, and new players have also recognized this. It's a bit like in the days of Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler: a lot can be achieved with good ideas and engineering skills.
No time. No mistakes.
The new system was added to an existing one at Holder GmbH. After just four months, the surface treatment was up and running Digital and technical expertise opens up enormous potential and opportunities - if the entire value chain is right. However, excellence in these areas alone is not enough. It is also the needs of an extremely dynamic market that determine success or failure to at least the same extent.
This means that a simple principle that applies to every area of the global economy also applies to the start-up company in question. Whoever comes first, sells first. The new car manufacturer has industry experience, ideas, visions, capital - but no time. And zero tolerance for mistakes.
The filigree body of the car with a high number of horsepower consists of high-quality aluminum structural components. Today, such parts are usually bonded in the factory - this prevents deformations that would occur during welding. To do this, these parts require surface treatment in a customized electroplating system. And quickly.
Four months from order to test run
To be more precise: Gerd Volker Waltersbacher, Head of Technical Purchasing at fischer, can allow DECKER a period of just four months for the process from recording the parameters to project planning, implementation, attachment to an existing system and commissioning.
Hilliges laughs in disbelief. The standard time for this type of order is more than twice as long. "If we compare our plant construction with a pregnancy, then the common denominator is that both usually take nine months," says the DECKER Managing Director. The dimensions speak for themselves: The result will later measure 20 x 9 x 10 meters (L x W x H).
In his head, however, he is already juggling with schedules and project plans, examining the task from all possible angles and asking precise questions.
Exciting days follow, filled with conferences, calculations, meetings and phone calls. Finally, Hilliges reports to fischer: "We can do it reliably in the required time." Relief for the start-up entrepreneur and all those accompanying him on his journey: The schedule is set.
Another essential component for this is provided by a third party: in cooperation with Holder GmbH Oberflächentechnik in Kirchheim, Baden-Württemberg, the fischer group is able to reach an agreement on central issues that is as unusual as it is quick and pragmatic, the solution of which makes success possible in the first place.
Holder is not only contributing its extensive expertise in the operation of such systems, the company is also providing space for the new surface treatment system in its own factory. DECKER can add it to an existing system, which is also a novelty. This creates a dynamic triangle between the plant manufacturer, the plant operator and the automotive manufacturer.
Bernhard Hilliges, Managing Director at DECKER Anlagenbau, is proud of his team. He described the collaboration with the other project partners as a "lesson in excellent teamwork"
Henri Holder, Managing Director of Holder GmbH, praises all those involved as "suppliers of perfect work"
That leaves the intensive schedule. However, the demanding nature of the task acts as additional motivation for the DECKER team. The team in the technical office and in assembly is working overtime and at weekends. Soon there are executable construction plans, tailored to the millimeter fraction of fischer's requirement profile.
Construction of the system components begins. "Our great routine helps us here: we know all the processes inside out so that nothing unforeseen throws us off track," comments Hilliges. That would also be fatal now - after all, the first bodies have to be delivered in May.
Henri Holder, Managing Director of Holder GmbH Oberflächentechnik, is working intensively on the ambitious goal. Quick decisions are necessary. His clear ideas on how the plant should function further accelerate implementation.
The external partners - including the client - also play along excellently, with one cog meshing with the other. Quick and pragmatic decisions are a sign of great trust - and this efficient cooperation ultimately pays off. From approval and planning to implementation and commissioning.
The coup succeeds
By the end of the period, the four-month-old has grown into a sizeable system, can be precisely adjusted and passes all test runs. The coup succeeds. In mid-May, fischer and DECKER come together at Holder for acceptance. A short time later, the first parts receive their surface treatment.
An elegant vehicle with a very pleasing silhouette will delight the public. Lots of speed on four wheels. Finished with even more care. And even before the start, the car has already made its way from the computer simulation through the factory to the road in impressive style - dynamic in speed and precision.
