On Road to the Smart Factory
Further Articles
electronica China 2024 | Trade Fair Review
electronica China 2024 has come to a successful end, and we at Hirschmann Automotive can look back on an exciting and productive trade fair.
Awarded as Excellent Apprenticeship Company
We're delighted to announce that we've once again received the state award »Excellent Apprenticeship Company 2024-2027«! The »Excellent Apprenticeship Company« initiative is awarded every three years and is aimed at apprenticeship companies that demonstrate above-average quality in the training of their apprentices.
electronica China: International Trade Fair for the Electrical Industry
The leading trade fair for electronic components, systems, applications, and solutions in China – the electronica China – will take place from July 8 to 10 in Shanghai, and we will exhibit. It is one of the most important trade fairs for the electrical industry in Asia and brings together leading companies worldwide. Get to know our products in low and high voltage, stamping, and other interesting innovations. Visit us at booth N4.4618 in Shanghai New International Expo Center from Monday on and meet our experts!
Receiving the Prestigious »Lean Management-Leitbetrieb®« 2023/2024 Award
Hirschmann Automotive has received the prestigious »Lean Management-Leitbetrieb®« 2023/2024 award for the West region in Austria! This coveted award is given to companies that stand out through the implementation of lean management strategies with a focus on waste reduction, efficient processes and continuous improvement. This award confirms that the automotive supplier is practicing lean management at a very high level. In addition, Hirschmann Automotive's contributions have significantly enriched the exchange of experience within the Lean Circle Group. This commitment has made a significant contribution to strengthening the production sites in Austria and securing production and jobs in the country. The achievement reflects the commitment to these principles and the tireless pursuit of excellence. A big thank you to the team who made this award possible! This is a testament to the commitment and continuous development of Hirschmann Automotive.
Connected by Passion for a Green Future: Together We Celebrated Earth Week
In cooperation with all seven plants, we have organized our first interactive Earth Week Campaign around the globe. From planting trees to building bee hotels, our employees have initiated conservation efforts that benefit our environment and biodiversity in the long term.
Hirschmann Automotive Invests in the Future: New Plants in Morocco & China
Hirschmann Automotive, a leading global provider of premium solutions for the automotive industry, continues to expand its economic and technological lead with investments around the globe. The expansion in Morocco and China marks a significant milestone in the company's growth strategy and strengthens its market position.
Success Story: We Are A Great Place To Work®
We are happy to share some exciting news: Hirschmann Automotive is a certified Great Place To Work® company at four of our seven plants worldwide.
Women in Leadership
»Today, we are celebrating the strength, determination, and resilience of women everywhere.« - Michelle Obama. HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!
Standing Strong Together: Our Donation Campaign for Morocco
In September, Morocco was shaken by a devastating earthquake that left the nation racing against the clock to find survivors and assess the damage caused. Our thoughts and support go out to the people affected by this tragedy.
(E)mission Impossible?
Hirschmann Automotive is confidently taking the road towards CO₂ neutrality by 2050 with a multifaceted approach.
Standing Strong Together
In recent days, Morocco was shaken by a devastating earthquake that has left the nation racing against the clock to find survivors and assess the damage caused by it. Our thoughts and support go out to the people affected by this tragedy.
The Representatives of Vorarlberg's Most Prominent Companies as Guests in Our Halls
On Tuesday evening, our logistics center at the headquarters in Rankweil was transformed into an event location! The reason was the “VN Top 100” event, where more than 300 top representatives and prominent entrepreneurs from Vorarlberg's economy and politics, including Finance Minister Magnus Brunner and Country Councilor Marco Tittler, were visiting. We are proud to have hosted this event, where Vorarlberg's largest and most successful companies are honored, and the VN Business Award is presented every year.
Angelo Holzknecht Becomes New CEO of Hirschmann Automotive
Following the latest Board resolution, Angelo Holzknecht will take up the position of Chief Executive Officer. The international automotive supplier is pleased to be able to appoint this responsible position from within its own ranks.
Adrian Low is the new Managing Director of China.
We are pleased to announce that Adrian Low will take over the position of Managing Director as of February 20, 2023. He will be fully responsible for the business and operations in the APAC market for Hirschmann Automotive.
Most Attractive Employer for Students Award
We are pleased to announce that our plant in Vsetín has been honored with the "Most AQttractive Employer for Students Award 2022" on 3rd place in Zlín region. This award is a result of our teamwork and passion for people.
THE ROAD TO THE SMART FACTORY: Hirschmann Automotive Invests in the Future.
Hirschmann Automotive continues to focus on intelligent but resource-saving automation and invests in state-of-the-art technologies at its headquarters in Rankweil, Austria. A fully automated transport robot system with an ERP connection handles the transportation of the internal material flow. The focus is increasing flexibility, performance, speed, and efficiency in all intralogistics processes. With the solution from Servus Intralogistics GmbH, which has been individually adapted to our needs, the automotive supplier is asserting itself as a real »Platzhirsch« in automating all processes.
»The robust, scalable, and autonomous system ensures the long-term competitiveness of our locations through high flexibility and efficiency.« Peter Spalt, Logistics Director
Innovative Intralogistics and Revolutionizing the Flow of Materials
A look at the internal processes and the latest project at Hirschmann Automotive in Rankweil, Austria, reveals the implementation of the Servus ARC5 system. The result is fully automated processes and integrated material flows.
The heart of the system is a production hall with injection molding machines. It is fully connected to the shuttle system, so injection molded parts are automatically packed into cartons and boxes, sealed, labeled, and stored in the automated small parts warehouse (AKL). This enables the fully automated operation of the entire hall. The re-granulate parts, waste products from the injection molding machines, are also collected by the transport robots, sorted by material type, and transported directly to the plant in the Czech Republic for recycling. With the go-live at the beginning of the year, 40 machines were gradually put into operation, and since April, all of them have now been connected to the automation processes. This marks a significant milestone for the project.
Technological Collaboration within Smart Production
One of the biggest challenges was understanding the internal processes. Seven different software solutions work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the overall system. Predictive analytics and AI algorithms improve requirement forecasting and stock level optimization, contributing to increased intralogistics efficiency.
750 meters of track system for the 46 transport robots are installed in the halls. The robots transport the goods according to the pull principle, ensuring maximum process reliability and increased performance by delivering the products to the right place at the right time. In the first four months, one transport robot alone has already covered 3.5 thousand kilometers. According to the figures, there are currently almost 1,200 transports per hour possible.
With its seven aisles, the AKL is fully connected to the processes of the Servus system. To put its size into perspective - the AKL would offer space for almost 108,000 crates of beer. Remarkable, isn't it? The transport robots demonstrate impressive efficiency with a top speed of 4 meters per second. The new transport robots are a prime example of modern trends in automation. Hirschmann Automotive is proud to be the first company in the world to use this generation of robots.
Future Outlook
The successful implementation of the project marks another important milestone in the global Smart Factory program. In addition to the automotive supplier's HQ, the sites in Vsetín, Czech Republic, and Târgu Mureș, Romania, have already been equipped with state-of-the-art transport robot systems. Hirschmann Automotive is thus securing its agility and position in the market and pursuing its strategy of being the Platzhirsch for individual customer solutions.
Hirschmann Automotive is ready to take on future challenges and play an active role in shaping Industry 4.0!
