Magnetised 2011

Volume 03, 2011
03
INDUSTRiAL MAGNETIC SYSTEMS
INDUSTRIAL DRIVE SYSTEMS
PASSENGER CAR SYSTEMS
Commercial vehicle systems
kendrion group services
HR
Kendrion’s Human Capital
People are the vital asset in Kendrion’s further development. Machines and
knowledge can be bought, people choose for a career within Kendrion out
of their own free will. And once with the company, how can we retain our
employees and keep them happy? Recruitment and retention are the big HR
challenges for the future.
My
favourite
magnet
Kendrion is ambitious and works hard on
students and the regio in general. Thomas
globalisation, flexibilisation and organisational
Fritz: “Where our own people are concerned,
favourite. Developed and launched as part of
development. At the same time and especially in
we lay great emphasis on permanent further
a client project, this magnet is representative
Europe we are witnessing radical demographic
education and development. That’s part of our
of the high standards of our IMS business unit
changes and a growing lack of specialists.
overall strategy. This strategy is adapted to local
and sets a new benchmark in technology and
All this has called for the development of an
situations wherever necessary and appropriate.
quality. This rotary magnet - the world’s fastest
HR strategy, securing the future demand of
This has resulted in such diverse activities as
and lasting more than three times longer than
qualified manpower at Kendrion. HR Manager
the Kendrion Executive Programme, corporate
competitive products - offers high-precision
Thomas Fritz: “Our focus is on two areas: hiring
courses like English for everybody, part time
shock absorption for ultra-precise positioning
employees and keeping them. Because, what’s
specialised training courses and one-day
and an energy-saving mode thanks to the
the use of winning a top qualified, highly
seminars.”
bipolar holding function. Our PDM magnet
motivated development engineer, when at the
“Our PDM rotary magnet is currently my
ensures that errors in mail sorting centres are
same time a long- standing, highly qualified and
Recruitment
corrected, and therefore plays a key role
wel-integrated colleague is leaving us?”
Other important aspects of Kendrion’s HR
in the delivery of your personal letters
strategy are the promotion of the compatibility
to your home in time every day.
Education
of family and career (work/life balance)
Latest update: since October 2011
In its recruitment
and measures taken with respect to health
our magnets are also in use at the
activities the Kendrion
management, ranging from smoking cessation
new mail sorting centre in Villingen-
HR department
seminars to workplace inspections concerning
Schwenningen.”
has related the
ergonomics.
measures taken to
On the recruitment side Kendrion has developed
four categories of
a whole host of activities, touching on all kinds
(potential) employees:
of topics and issues. To mention just a few: we
existing staff,
participate in numerous business contact fairs;
university students
HR Manager Thomas Fritz
and graduates, school
Norman Graf,
Business Unit Manager
Continued on page 2.
Industrial Magnetic Systems
FAVOURITE
Hiring people and
keeping them!
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011 Continuation of page 1
we offer trainee programs, practical semesters, bachelor and master theses and
Nice reward for the editors
working student placements; we advertise, establish contacts with and organise
lectures at universities, arrange projects, offer internships and company visits and
With a historic Setra S6 bus,
sponsor community projects and regional events and organisations (employer
built in the 50’s, the editors of
branding).
the Kendrion Jubilee Book (see
Magnetised 2-2011) went to
Knowhow
the Mercedes-Benz Museum in
“We foresee further growth of our business. At the same time many of our
Stuttgart. A guided tour of the
experienced staff will stop working in the years to come. We need to prevent
impressive museum shows the
valuable and special knowhow from being lost. We cannot afford to wait. That
boys and girls sensational and
is why we are investing so much in recruiting ambitious people to whom this
outstanding cars. The young
expertise can be transferred and in retaining these talents within the company.”
editors were accompanied by
Dr. Bernd Gundelsweiler,
Helena Heidebrecht, Wendelin
HR in practice
Renn and Marion Eckert
Throughout this edition of the Magnetised you will find a number of
Merkle. It was a successful
examples of Kendrion’s HR activities, all focusing on recruitment and
completion of the book
retention of talented and ambitious professionals. You recognise them by
project ‘Hurra, wir feiern 100
this symbol. HR
Jahre’.
Running for a good cause
historic city centre. The city run was
Kendrion was well represented at
the 2011 ‘Stadtlauf Villingen’ with
sponsored by the local Volksbank and
31 participants (see picture!). In total
brought in more than EUR 12,000
some 1,500 enthusiastic people of
for a community project which helps
practically all ages took part in a
disabled people to find jobs and be
2.3 kilometre run through Villingen’s
part of society.
Q3 2011 results
The upward trend continues
For the 10th quarter in a row Kendrion performed better than in the
were slightly tempered by the start-up costs of the new
manufacturing site in Pune, India.
previous three months. Q3 2011 was excellent and showed record
Positive
turnover and returns. However, the uncertainty remains and makes
We maintain our previous forecast of at least 15% revenue
growth in 2011 with a corresponding further improvement
it difficult to predict further developments.
in profit. However, due to the overall uncertainty regarding
the economy, we are cautious about making
Although there is a lot of focus on the current uncertain
statements on future developments. It is
economic situation, Kendrion noticed little of this in the
e.g. difficult to predict whether customers
third quarter. The revenue growth that began in 2010
in view of the economic situation will
continued and, like in the first six months of the year,
be scaling down production to reduce
was driven by innovative products and geographical
stocks. But as far as 2011 is concerned
distribution. Revenue was up 17% as compared with Q3
the outlook remains unambiguously
2010 and, in spite of the traditionally weaker summer
positive.
months, 2% in comparison with the second quarter. In the
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growth in the ‘energy-efficient diesel engines’ segment.
Vehicle Systems showed satisfying results, although these
Q3
2
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of the automotive business, mainly driven by the strong
German automotive industry and the sharp revenue
expanding markets in the USA and China. Commercial
8.
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to our results. Particularly impressive was the growth
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All business units performed strongly and contributed
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which is driven mainly by strong exports to the Far East.
5.
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continues to benefit from the booming German industry,
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in revenue than in the same period last year. Our company
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first nine months of 2011 Kendrion performed 25% better
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jörg Wallaschek
Bringing the outside world in
Kendrion is set to become the world’s leading company in
CV
Jörg Wallaschek is Director of the Institute of
the field of electromagnetism. Professor Jörg Wallaschek is
Dynamics and Vibration Research at Leibniz
University Hannover, Germany. He has supervised
happy to be able to contribute to reaching that position. As a
more than 40 successfully completed PhD
projects, authored more than 150 scientific publications on sensors and
member of the Kendrion Innovation Board he is building up
actuators, modelling of electromechanical systems and energy harvesting
technologies. Jörg Wallaschek is a member of editorial boards of scientific
his network within the company and connecting this with his
journals and steering committees of international conferences. He is also a
member of the expert panel on vibration technologies of VDI and DIN and
own global network of scientists and young, ambitious and
serves as reviewer for public organisations and as a consultant for small,
medium and large enterprises.
talented people.
Some time ago Jörg Wallaschek was approached by
in general and know much about possible competitive
Heinz Freitag and Piet Veenema to visit his Dynamics and
technologies, such as piezoelectric and other smart material
Vibration Research Institute at the University of Hannover
systems that can complement or even substitute magnetic
and to discuss technological trends and developments.
solutions. Being aware of this is very important for
They also talked about possible ways to work together.
Kendrion.”
A few weeks later Kendrion asked Professor Wallaschek
Jörg Wallasschek has over 25 years of professional research
to become a member of the Innovation Board: “A great
experience in the field of mechatronics, dynamics and
instrument to prevent ‘company blindness’ and to develop
vibration, both scientifically and in industry. His research is
an objective picture of what goes on within the company.
focused on dynamics of rotating machinery, piezoelectric
Kendrion can expect unbiased answers from independent
systems and ultrasonic engineering. He has contributed to
experts. At the same time the Innovation Board is a great
the continuous development of ultrasonic vibration motors.
way for Kendrion to gain access to a large international
scientific community. I see it as my task to bring in
Critical mass
knowledge and to help develop the information resources.”
Jörg Wallaschek has just finished a first tour around a series
Competitive
with technical experts and sees lots of opportunities for the
of Kendrion companies, is building up his internal network
“I am not an expert on electromagnetism, but there is
future: “In order to become number 1 you need a critical
definitely a connection between my work and Kendrion’s
mass and a certain size. Kendrion is in that position and I
core business. I have a long experience with actuators
am optimistic about what we can achieve.”
Trip for Kendrion apprentices
Going back in time for a day
HR
Every year in September, Kendrion apprentices and trainers
from Engelswies, Donaueschingen, Villingen-Schwenningen
and Markdorf (Germany) meet for a trip together. This
year, the apprentices at Kendrion Magnettechnik GmbH in
Inzigkofen-Engelswies took over the organisation of the trip.
The ruin at Hornstein - with its ancient history and impressive
appearance embodying this year’s ‘Middle Ages’ theme - was
chosen as the meeting point for the trip.
Adventure
A group of 66 apprentices and trainers hiked to the
‘Bittelschiesser Cave’ where they were received by the
Mutual trust
trainers of the ‘out & back’ adventure camp. After an
Negotiating the ‘Lauchert’ river with the help of just
explanation of the procedure, the apprentices plunged into
two ropes was exciting. Rappelling down from the
the adventure, coached by professionally trained guides. In
Bittelschiesser Cave at a height of 22 meters came across as
the course of mastering exercises at four different stations,
a genuine challenge to most. In order to master the ‘low
the youngsters from the different factory locations got
wire’ par-course, body control as well as full concentration
to know each other better. Teamwork and the spirit of
were needed. Mutual trust was especially important at the
adventure were the themes as every one of them had to
fourth station at which the apprentices were led through
negotiate for and trust in each other’s capabilities.
the woods blindfolded.
3.
TEA
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011 Sales team IMS
Committed to success
Markets
In recent years IMS installed four new agencies in all regions of Germany,
its biggest and most important market (50%). IMS’ second and third
biggest markets are Italy and France (Europe total 35%). Very strongly
developing as a future market is Turkey with an above average growth
The business unit Industrial Magnetic Systems (IMS) has
in industry. Other target markets, but still relatively small compared to
their potential, are China (8%) and the USA (7%) for which a clear growth
reorganised its sales force. Customer portfolios are now based
strategy has been developed.
on a single branch whereas before an Account Manager
Until recently IMS worked with a key account management team and a so-
served key customers from different branches. With a
called ‘base team’. The most important customers were assigned to dedicated
Key Account Managers; the ‘base team’ served the rest of the business. The
Germany-based sales team of 20 people, IMS leaps at the
Key Account Managers focused on a limited number of customers and could
concentrate on building up a strong, mutually beneficial relationship. IMS has now
opportunity to extend its markets.
made a next step. From key account management it is moving towards branch
management. Business Unit Manager Norman Graf: “By making our Account
Managers responsible for a single branch we enable them to develop a broader
and deeper insight into the trends, developments and requirements of that branch.
In this way we accelerate our response to customers’ needs and underpin our
position as a real solution provider. On a worldwide scale and in a short time. Our
customers expect professionalism, expertise, experience and knowledge transfer
abilities. Our Branch Managers can offer all this.”
Sales partners
IMS serves eight key branches: machinery & equipment, process automation,
energy, locking & safety, beverage, transportation, consumer products and
medical & pharma. Most of these branches are dominated by global companies
with complex decision and engineering structures. For all eight branches IMS now
has a dedicated Account Manager who will work together with local sales teams
and e.g. specialised engineers. The overall sales management is the responsibility
of Norman Graf, Ralf Vosseler (Donaueschingen) and Volker Buhl (Engelswies). In
its main markets the IMS sales team works closely together with independent sales
partners. Norman Graf: “The most successful ones are those who do not focus on
simple distribution but who are committed and prepared to invest in market and
branch intelligence, together with us.”
Confidence
Sometimes a combination is made of an IMS Account Manager and an independent
sales partner. In 2008 in Italy IMS added its own Key Account Manager to an
existing trading partner. This successful move led to a growth in turnover and
enabled Kendrion IMS to open up its own sales office in Turin, Italy as from the first
HR
of October 2011. All the more reason to face the future with confidence.
Company trip at Kendrion Binder Magnetic Suzhou
Every organisation needs cohesion. The Kendrion employees in the city of Suzhou,
Sheldon Xie,
China, used the annual group outing to make their teams more cohesive.
Production Department:
“The beautiful scenery
4.
Jianmin Xu,
Sales Department:
During the three-day visit, we enjoyed the unique natural scenic beauty, climbed
“A very impressive trip, during
provided us with a wonderful
mountains, drifted down the river and visited a beautiful grotto. On the last day,
which distances between
memory. Back in the factory,
we participated in various team-building activities within these scenic conditions;
colleagues were reduced.
we can recall this trip at
these included rock climbing, a forest celestial bath, field expeditions and various
Now that it is over, we
any time and share the
aerobic outdoor exercises held.
feel stronger in our daily
experience with colleagues
teamwork. Moreover, it was
and friends. It was a fine way
great fun, and we are looking
to blow off steam”.
forward to the next trip”.
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011
HR
Employee of the month
And the winner is…
At Kendrion, we value innovative employee ideas. The
Kendrion idea forum, ‘KENNI’ for short, encourages employees
to engage actively in the development and improvement of all
aspects of their work.
Managing Director of Kendrion Binder Magnete in Eibiswald, Martin Kollmann,
with his special monthly award for the most innovative suggestion for
improvement, sends a clear signal to his employees of the importance and value
of active participation with all of one’s physical and mental powers. Again and
again, he stresses that shortcomings are to be regarded as ‘treasures’ because
they provide the basis for improvement.
Improvement
Every month a different idea manager presents all of the suggestions for
Waltraud Freigassner, Gerhard Haring, Regina Reisser (employee of the month September), and Martin Kollmann
improvement that have been received by the committee consisting of the
department managers, the works councils and the Managing Directors. The
Courage
members submit their votes for what they consider to be the most innovative
The Kendrion mission to develop our company and to have the courage to find
proposal in a secret ballot. The employee gaining the most votes receives a one-
new paths starts in the mind of every single employee, from the apprentice all the
gram gold bar. The picture of the winner occupies an honoured spot next to the
way up to the members of the Management Team.
KENNI-board, where all awards are recorded.
Flexibility and innovation
During the Top Management Meeting in
sophisticated valves for diesel engines. The
India the Flexibility and Innovation Awards
business unit is extending its markets to the
(see also page 8) were assigned to the
USA and to regular gasoline engines.
business units IDS and PCS respectively. IDS
In the picture on the left Heinz Freitag
found an effective answer to the strongly
congratulates PCS Business Unit Manager
rising prices of so-called rare earth, an
Bernd Gundelsweiler on his business
important raw material for the production
unit’s achievements. In the picture on the
of their magnets. PCS made further
right IDS Business Unit Manager Michael
innovative steps in the development of their
Bernhard shakes hands with Eiko Ris.
Kendrion Executive Programme
Tailor made business studies
Ever since 2002 Kendrion has maintained strong relations
HR
Drive
Hans Horstink is Senior Learning Consultant at RSM and
with the Rotterdam School of Management (RSM). As part of
Program Director for the Kendrion Executive Programme: “Of
course the Programme has generic elements, but the content
our HR development programme our management follows a
is adapted to the Kendrion situation as much as possible. In
this way we meet the specific needs of the company. For every
comprehensive training course at RSM, comprising of a series
module we ask a representative of Kendrion’s top management
to be the sponsor, securing the connection between theory and
of business and management modules.
practice. What strikes me in particular is the drive, the eagerness
and the motivation of the Kendrion managers taking part. The
The Kendrion Executive Programme offers six modules,
same holds true for the commitment of the Board. Very easily
spanning a total of three years. This means that every year
accessible and a pleasure to work with.”
two modules are completed. At the moment there is one
group of 21 managers following the course. In February
Tailor made
2012 the marketing module will start. Apart from this
The Rotterdam School of Management is part of the Erasmus
subject there are courses dealing with leadership, strategic
University and concentrates in its curriculum totally on business
management, logistics & supply chain management, people
studies. It runs a specialised research institute and offers
& employee management and change leadership. For
bachelor and master studies, MBA’s and Executive Education
every module the participants meet in Rotterdam, the
programs. The Executive portfolio consists of both open
Netherlands, where they are not only being lectured on the
programs and tailor made programs. Kendrion is one of the
topics concerned, but also learn from each other and build
corporate organisations which apply a tailor made Programme
their internal network.
within their own management training schemes.
5.
HR
03 - 2011 MAGNETISED
Health Management at Kendrion
Kendrion’s employees are the foundation of its success. That
Recovery
Another important feature is surely our
is why their good health is something the company holds near
occupational rehabilitation management
programme (BEM). Its purposes are to
and dear to its heart. Therefore, we take a group-wide health
determine whether the work itself has
undermined the health of an employee
management approach at all of our locations with different
and to insure that affected employees
recover completely by watching them
features and characteristics at each.
on the job when they return.
EVENT
We also hold ‘Health Days’ at regular
At all of our German locations, there are free fruit baskets.
intervals. Employees can have their blood
Various workshops are offered, each oriented towards
pressure, blood sugar, BMI value and eyesight
particular needs of the jobs found at each location f.e.
evaluated. They also receive valuable tips for
back workshops and ‘quit smoking’ courses which will both
a healthy lifestyle. If we have a new idea, we offer
be repeated in 2012. These are conducted in cooperation
it at one location and, if successful, we extend it to other
with our company doctors who also support us in health
locations as well. In doing this, we naturally should not
management areas such as regular medical checkups,
only pay attention to the wishes of the employees at each
annual flu shots that are free for all employees, and
location but also take into account the local realities at
ergonomics workshops.
each of our international locations.
Top Management Meeting, Pune, India
Revealing trip to rising
economic power
Once a year Kendrion’s management gathers for its annual management meeting.
This time the trip went to India where the Board and Managers visited the new
local Kendrion Linnig plant. Workshops and lectures dealt with hot items such as
­India’s turbulent development and with regular themes like market ­segmentation,
flexibility and innovation.
Promising
Kendrion India is based in Pune, not far from Mumbai in the west of the country.
This is where Sameer Deshmukh started Kendrion’s Indian greenfield operation.
His first concern was opening up the market. Having reached that point with a
first customer, Sameer Deshmukh and his six colleagues are now preparing for
local production. In Q4 2011 last deliveries will come in from Germany, from then
on Kendrion India has been handling production itself. In addition to the existing
project there are many promising contacts with other potential customers.
Expectations are running high.
Highlights
Market push in Italy with new
Kendrion IMS sales office
The visit to the plant location marked the culmination of the Top Management
Meeting, but there was more. Other highlights were visits to the Volkswagen
Italy is one of the most important European markets for the Industrial Magnetic
factory and to a laboratory, active in our field of business. Kendrion’s
Systems (IMS) business. We launched direct sales activities in 2008 with a local
management meetings also aim at the exchange of knowledge and experience
Key Account Manager just as the first signs of the global economic crisis were
and at getting to know each other better. The social program and the
appearing. The direct IMS commercial activities are now beginning to yield
presentation of the awards for highest flexibility and best innovation certainly
benefits for the company. We have posted significant annual organic growth over
help to reach these goals. Elsewhere in this Magnetised you can read about the
the past two years in the Italian industrial market.
award winning teams.
New business
The main reason for the current success lies in IMS’ strength in conceiving
customer specific solutions. Its closeness to the customers is also fundamental to
its understanding of their real and implied needs.
Most of the newly acquired business now actually comes from project
development rather than standard catalogue product sales through a local
partner. In Italy, IMS mainly operates in selected business-to-business industrial
niche markets such as: vending machines, process automation and packaging, fire
safety, medical engineering, transportation and energy distribution.
The decision to move closer to the customers was absolutely right because it is
vital these days to act as a consultant with respect to complex high value sales.
Market share
Despite the extensive and aggressive competition, we are confident that Kendrion
IMS will be increasingly successful in all of the largest European economies, of
which Italy is one, by increasing our market share and realising profits.
Kendrion’s new location in Italy will be in the heart of Turin, one of Italy’s large
industrial areas. We would like to give special thanks to Mr Leo Vincenzo for his
work in preparing this next step in our expansion in this lovely country.
6.
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011
Kendrion at the ‘inova 2011’ job fair
HR
One of the biggest and most successful job fairs ‘inova’ took place again this year
in Ilmenau, Germany. And Kendrion was once again one of the 168 companies
from a variety of disciplines there, seeking qualified students for its companies.
Nowadays early contact between student and company is very important in
arousing interest on the part of students while demonstrating the practical
relevance of the company and thereby increasing the likelihood of an
internship semester. By working together with our many students at the BadenWürttemberg Cooperative State Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences,
Kendrion has already collected a lot of positive experiences. That is why we
would like to continue to give students the possibility of gaining their first job
experience at our company.
The ‘inova’ job fair is run annually by a team of 40 students from the Technical
University of Ilmenau. Interest in Kendrion was again very high this year; we are
Left to right: our fair team at ‘inova 2011‘: Thomas Fritz, Sandra Hoer, Simone Schollmeier, Matthias. Dannemann and
looking forward to being a part of this job fair once again next year.
Sören Rosenbaum
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Board
People, planet, profit
CVS at the ‘electric avenue’, 2 - 5 June
2011, Friedrichshafen, Germany
In October Kendrion’s CSR Board met for the second time.
After a successful kick-off in July the CSR Board, consisting
of ten people from different business units and staff
departments, now discussed first tangible ideas and developed
a dash board in which the key topics can be monitored. It also
formulated its ambition statement and targets and decided
what is needed to reach these.
The members of the CSR Board - all with a special interest in CSR related topics
- have organised their agenda around a few major themes: energy, matters
concerning our own employees (e.g. employee satisfaction, health, sickness
and accident ratio’s), anti-corruption and supply chain cooperation. More and
more, our bigger customers ask Kendrion to sign their code of conduct. In return,
Kendrion intents to start discussions with its key suppliers in order to get the
At the focal point of ‘the electric avenue’, as this new trade fair for sustainable
whole chain to move towards social responsibility.
mobility is called, stand such new alternative propulsion systems as electric
and hybrid drives. Exhibitors are able to use the electric avenue as a marketing
CSR Board sponsor is Heinz Freitag, Wijgert Gooijer is the coordinator. Before
approach to sustainability. The key to its success is a completely new kind of sales
the end of this year the outline of the overall plan will be ready for execution as
and media approach. With its three components of exhibition hall, test track and
from January 2012. Kendrion will annually report on its targets and actions in a
community, it is also not just a classical trade fair but an ‘Expo’.
transparent CSR report.
For the very first time, Kendrion LINNIG presented the ‘Hotzenblitz’ (an electric
car built by a German company of the same name) with its LINNIG e-drive. This
complete and compact drive unit is equipped with two motors, its own gear stage,
a motor control unit, and power electronics. With our focus on meeting valuable
prospects and future customers, we will use the electric avenue again in 2012 in
order to display our LINNIG e-drive to perfection.
CVS also participated in the following trade fairs:
Call for action! Win a dinner voucher!
Another important issue on the CSR Board agenda is community investment.
Examples of community investment are sponsoring, volunteer work or
scholarships. The CSR Board asks everybody within Kendrion to inspire them
with ideas for a corporate community investment project. Such project should
fulfil the following conditions:
a. A clear connection with Kendrion’s business, product or techniques;
b. Involvement of a substantial number of Kendrion’s employees; and
c. Effective return for both the community and Kendrion after a (cost) efficient
investment.
Send your mail to [email protected]. The best idea will be
rewarded with a dinner voucher of EUR 75!
• COMTRANS /11 – International Exhibition for Commercial Vehicles
13 – 17 September 2011, Crocus International Exhibition Centre in Moscow, Russia
• Busworld Kortrijk,
21 – 26 October 2011, Kortrijk, Belgium
•B
us & Truck,
12-14 May 2011, Beijing, China
•T
ruck and Trailer Show,
29 – 31 July 2011, Perth, Australia
•U
nited Motor Coach Show,
18 – 22 January 2011, Tampa, Florida, USA
•A
PTA Show,
3 – 5 October 2011, New Orleans, USA
•M
id-American Trucking Show,
1 – 4 November 2011, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
7.
HR
03 - 2011 MAGNETISED
New apprentice workshop in Engelswies
Just before the start of the latest training programme in
Engelswies (Germany) a new apprentice workshop was
completed. The move means more space, an island at which
novices can learn, PC workstations and working with the most
modern CNC machines.
Intercompany vocational training possibilities round out
the training being offered. These include ‘Schooling in the
presence’, ‘Etiquette training for apprentices’, ‘Pneumatic
training’ with Continental in Villingen, and the ‘SPS’ course.
One of the strengths of the training programme is the
variety of assignments into which apprentices become
Left to right, Alfons Mattes, Manuel Stark, Norman Graf, Heinz Freitag, Dennis Nopper, Andreas Wassmer,
ensnared after their basic training; this provides the very
Daniel Walz and Dimitri Spomer.
best preparation for the many potential applications they
will encounter later.
opportunities in its Engelswies plant. For interested
applicants, the following training opportunities are
Opportunities
being offered in 2012: industrial machinist, metal-cutting
For apprentices interested in business as well as technology,
machinist, mechatronics technician, and Bachelor of Arts.
Kendrion Magnettechnik offers attractive training
Nominees for the Kendrion Innovation Award
Innovation is one of Kendrion’s unique selling points. To
promote innovation and inspire employees at all levels we
annually grant an award for ‘Most innovative company’.
Below you will find an overview of the innovations that
were nominated for this year’s award.
IDS - Kendri
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rm
an
en
t
e in the world
. It ’s small, pr
ecise, energy
saving and ve
ry cost-effec
tive. Target br
anches are
aviation, med
ical technolo
gy and minia
turisation.
PCS - Kendrion Binder Magnete, Eibiswald
Engage enthusiasm:
After the crisis PCS Eibiswald sought to re-activate and
engage enthusiasm. The challenge was to create a new
Living-Team spirit, introduce an active appreciation
approach and use all improvement potential throughout
the workforce. Success factors are transparency in
communication, continuous employment development and
differentiation to other employers. And the results: higher
produc tivity, savings and improvements at all levels.
en
nete, Villing
Binder Mag
n
o
ri
d
:
en
y
K
g
lo
PCS
techno
t Spill Valve
en
m
p
o
el
Dev
lves - a highly
tuated Spill Va
ac
c
ti
ne
ag
velopment
The elec trom
research & de
S
PC
e
th
of
oduc t
r.
innovative pr
n up to 280 ba
re applicatio
su
es
pr
r
ve
- co
cause
department
I systems. Be
soline GDI/ FS
ga
is
ea
ar
g
Spill
The operatin
s, these new
charac teristic
d
te
ca
ti
is
ph
on force/
of their so
urable impact
vo
fa
y
el
em
ex tr
Valves have an
el deliver y.
our versus fu
stroke behavi
8.
stejov
lutions’:
nete, Pro
g
a
M
r
e
istics So
d
g
on
in
o
L
B
n
w
o
e
l savings
ndri
M ‘N
PCS - Ke
ation, tota
ch to CR
rt
a
o
ro
sp
re
p
n
p
a
ra
ve
way we a
istics /T
Innovati
d. In this
e r o n Lo g
e
v
m
o
ie
st
ch
a
cu
ere
ing the
er year w
ring, but
By consult
anufac tu
30 0.0 0 0 p
m
R
d
U
n
E
a
to
n
g
desi
s of u p
relating to
produc ts
both side
nt. Effec ts
solenoid
e
in
m
p
rt
e
lo
p
e
x
v
an e
n model,
d el d e
not only
sportatio
n
siness mo
a
u
tr
b
d
w
n
e
a
n
cs
e area of
the logisti
roduc tion
also in th
isation of
ease in p
m
cr
ti
in
p
e
o
e
th
,
ning
c t are th
tion plan
this proje
ips.
e produc
th
f
o
relationsh
t
n
e
ve m
customer
f
o
g
in
the impro
n
rengthe
and the st
efficienc y
k
IMS - Kendrion Magnettechni
noid:
sole
ing
act
est
fast
The world’s
voltage
actuators as a trigger for high
The market asks for high speed
IMS
is 3ms (= 0,9m /s average speed).
switchgear. Today´s switching time
actuator
5m/ s average speed). The Hybrid
set itself a new target: <1ms (>3,
ation. A
gical step in elec tromagnetic actu
for high speed is a new technolo
ators.
be driven by elec tromagnetic actu
new class of applications can now
project
t has been applied for. The IMS
A patent for this unique produc
new markets can be developed.
par tner is 100% commit ted and
IDS - Kendrion Binde
r Magnete, Villinge
n
New ‘high-torque‘
permanent brake fo
r pitch regulation :
Wind energy generat
ion has ex tremely hig
h requirements. To ful
fil
these Kendrion IDS ha
s developed a high-t
orque permanent bra
ke with
combined friction. Syn
chronous motors with
Kendrion permanent
magnet
brakes require only a
quarter of the space.
They are easier to ass
emble,
offer precise control,
higher RPM and full
holding torque and in
case of
emergency can be ba
ttery- operated. With
this safe, powerful an
d lowmaintenance brake IDS
is ready to conquer a
bigger share of the ma
rket.
C VS - Ke
ndrion L
innig, M
LINNIG E
arkdor f
-Drive : e
lectric d
riven po
Kendrion
wer train
C VS is de
for niche
veloping
a compac
increasin
markets
t elec tric
g driving
driven po
comfort.
wertrain
The unit
with a pla
consists o
unit,
netary ge
f two ele
ar set, ask
c
tr
compone
ic
in
m
g
o
fo
to
r
rs each
fewer me
nts and le
chanical a
ss weight
nd elec tr
planning
and space
ic
al
to build it
. With th
e powert
s own ele
rain C VS
c tric moto
market, th
is
r and to e
us creatin
nter a gro
g anothe
r pillar fo
w
in
g
niche
r the com
pany.
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011
HR
Emilia Barberio’s American internship
Report on my experience in the USA
As part of my study, I was given the opportunity to work in a
My first assignment at the company was to familiarise
myself with Kendrion Tri-Tech’s product line since the
foreign country. I chose to spend three months at Kendrion Tri-
products in the USA are a lot different from the products
of the IMS business unit that I was already familiar with
Tech in Mishawaka, Indiana, USA, in order to pursue various
in Germany. Product development in the USA is, to a
very large extent, dependent on customer requirements.
marketing assignments. Besides learning English, the goal of
The company is active in such industries as the beverage
industry, medical technology, agricultural engineering and
the foreign semester was to gain professional experience in an
process automation.
international environment.
During my stay in the USA, the factory was undergoing
extensive renovation. The entrance was being widened
and extended for an exhibition displaying American
solenoids and valves. I created the data sheets that showed
the unique features and technical data of each individual
product that was displayed.
One additional assignment entrusted to me was the
transformation of the Kendrion Tri-Tech website. For this, I
created a design for the new layout. Other projects, such as
updating the company presentation, research on potential
customers in the agricultural engineering and beverage
industries and a search for competitors in bistable rotary
magnets in the USA market kept me busy for the entire
three months.
However, these many assignments did not keep me from
exploring the country and getting to know everyday
American life. My host family thought it important that I
have a lot of experiences and so I was able to gather many
new impressions. In retrospect, I can say that my foreign
country stay was an awesome experience and I am very
Left: Emilia Barberio, right: Michelle Prough
thankful to Kendrion for making it possible!
Kids@Kendrion Room
HR
Today’s Kendrion is not only an innovative and future-oriented
company, it is also a family-friendly one and constantly trying
to become even more family-friendly.
Organisational handstands are often necessary for parents to bring
their home life into line with the high demands of their professional life.
Despite careful planning, this may still not always work. That is why the
business units PCS/IDS introduced a so-called Kids@Kendrion room which
provides an alternative to a missed day of work for a parent. Their aim
is to further support parents with children in organising the appropriate
work/life balance. PCS/IDS are proud to be able to offer their employees
at the Villingen location a parent-child workroom. Also because the
team’s diversity adds to the success of the company.
Meetings
On 15 April 2011 Heinz Freitag formally inaugurated the Kids@Kendrion
Room. It is a child-oriented and suitably outfitted workroom which
can be used on short notice and without bureaucratic complications,
should supervisory emergencies occur at home and for use on job
assignments. In addition to these emergencies, the room will be used
for informational meetings with the mother who is on parental leave.
These meetings are held quarterly and serve to maintain regular contact
with Kendrion. Participants include the above-mentioned mothers
with their children, their current supervisors, their mentors as well as a
representative from the Human Resources department.
The Kids@Kendrion Room is one more step towards making family life
more compatible with work.
9.
IMS at the MOTEK, 10-13 October,
Stuttgart, Germany
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011 Kendrion IDS at the SPS/IPC/
Drives trade fair
MOTEK is the international trade fair for assembly technology, handling technology
In November, for the 22nd time in a row, Europe‘s leading
and automation. With a focus on the critical automation industry, MOTEK addresses
trade fair for electric automation, the ‘SPS/IPC/Drives’ took
precisely the expert audience Kendrion Industrial Magnetic Systems wants to reach.
place in Nuremberg (Germany). This fair covers all components
down to complete systems and integrated automation
With more than 36,000 technical visitors from 96 countries, 945 exhibitors from
solutions. The trade fair and its adjoining conference are the
21 countries and 60,000 m² of exhibition space at Stuttgart’s Regional Exhibition
ideal platform for comprehensive information on products,
Fairgrounds, MOTEK more than justifies its reputation as the world’s leading trade
innovations and current trends within the electric automation
fair for production and assembly automation.
industry. Hence it gives an overview of the entire market.
From the first day until the last, our team of advisors was challenged to answer
identification and safety and security.
visitors’ questions, accept inquiries, and make firm appointments for subsequent
The business unit Industrial Drive Systems was present with an
onsite visits. Following this year’s success we plan to be at MOTEK once again in 2012.
own stand but also held a technical lecture at the forum on
For 2011 the trend topics were energy efficiency, industrial
‘Permanent magnet brakes for pitch systems‘. In total 1,400
exhibitors showed their products on an area bigger than
EVENTS
100,000 m², more than 50,000 people visited the trade fair.
100 years of electromagnetism
2011 was a memorable and hectic year for Kendrion. Not only did we experience an unprecedented boost in our
business, we also commemorated 100 years of electromagnetism. Throughout the year all kinds of festivities, events
and celebrations were organised. Some large-scale and impressive by their sheer size, others small and intimate. But all
honouring the past and celebrating the achievements and results of a history in electromagnetism. Below we recall to
memory the most important events which took place in the second half of the year in words and images. Enjoy!
Villingen 1 July
Employee event: an unforgettable
party for our own people. With
food, drinks and entertainment
related to the different countries
in which we are located. A
competitive element, which
brought everybody to their feet,
was part of the fun (the winner
David Hinz spent a great weekend
in Amsterdam!). It all ended with
an equally unforgettable pop
concert.
The winner
David Hinz in
Amsterdam!
Villingen 3 July
Open Day: a great day out for the
local community. A few thousand
(!) people visited Kendrion and
made a tour around the factory.
Beautiful weather, many happy
faces and lots of positive exposure
in the local media.
10.
MAGNETISED
03 - 2011
PCS at Trade Fairs
In 2011 the Passenger Car Systems business unit presented itself at three fairs:
Magnetics 2011 (March 2011) San Antonio, Texas, USA
‘Magnetics’ is a two-day annual international magnetics conference combined with
a trade fair. The visitors can be divided into users of magnetic applications and the
permanent magnet processing industry (including raw material extraction). The
PCS presentation consisted of a professional lecture on ‘Electromagnetic Valve
Technology’ and a booth at the trade show.
SAE World Congress (April 2011) Detroit, Michigan, USA
The SAE World Congress is an annual three-day international trade fair for the
Vehicle Dynamics Expo (May 2011) Stuttgart, Germany
automotive industry in the USA. With over 10,000 visitors, primarily from the
The Vehicle Dynamics Expo is a three-day international trade exhibition for vehicle
automotive sector and the ‘heavy duty’ side of the industry, plus 148 exhibitors, the
technology containing chassis, suspension, steering, brakes and dynamic driving. Over
SAE 2011 could be characterised as a very good event. Teams from sales, engineering
11,000 visitors attended the exhibition this year and were also able to take part in
and development departments took actively part at the fair and helped to take care
three other neighbouring exhibitions such as Automotive Components Expo, Crash
of the customers to the best extent. During the fair interesting talks in the areas
Test Expo and Automotive Testing Expo. Qualified employees from sales, marketing
of sales, purchasing, research and development and marketing were hold. Besides,
and development departments looked after customers during the fair resulting in
appointments were made with customers and questions from industry experts were
several customer contacts in the areas of purchasing, sales, marketing and research &
answered.
development.
Dinner 15 September
Kendrion ‘Sounds of the centuries’
dinner: in an amazing location we
welcomed some 160 special guests
(customers, suppliers, shareholders,
management, Board and other
stakeholders). An actor, supported by
a professional orchestra, pictured 100
years of world history and connected
this in a fascinating way to episodes in
Kendrion Binder’s history. An impressive
performance, fantastic music, delicious
food, great atmosphere!
Eibiswald 7 October
Eibiswald (Austria) celebration: a party at our oldest
location outside Germany. As in Villingen the street on
which our factory is located was renamed Dr. Wilhelm
Binder Strasse. Being one of the biggest employers in
the region we could notice with pleasure that after
the impact of the crisis Eibiswald is back on track and
economically healthier than ever.
Milestone exhibition
Symposium 10 November
An interactive virtual presentation which leads you
Dr. Wilhelm Binder Symposium
through the history of Kendrion. One unit is on
10 November: together with a
permanent display in Villingen, one in Zeist and one
number of invited customers
will travel around the world.
we took a look into the
future, discovered the latest
developments, learned about
recent innovations and gained
valuable insights from renowned
speakers (f.e. Volkswagen,
Siemens and Stanadyne). The
symposium took place at our
Villingen location and was highly
appreciated by our guests.
11.
03 - 2011 MAGNETISED
Kendrion Business Suite IFS implemented at PCS, Villingen
The first blow is half the battle
The HORIZON project has reached its first milestone. On
need to revert to the back up systems. The optimisation
phase at PCS (baseline II) will be followed by the IFS
4 October Kendrion’s new ERP system IFS went live at the
Passenger Car Systems (PCS) business unit in Villingen, Germany.
implementations at Kendrion Linnig India in Pune and for
Günter Köster,
the pay roll system in Villingen. Günter Köster: “PCS was
Kendrion’s
only the first of the 16 targets that are waiting for us until
Program Director
the end of 2013. We have now finished some 3 or 4% of the
“Of course we are proud, but we have another 15 targets to
whole project. Another 96% to go! What really helps of
course is that we have finished this first project successfully.
go!” says Günter Köster, Kendrion’s Program Director.
Now we can come up with tangible results, not only with
papers and ideas. The PCS realisation and the standard
A lot of effort had been put in the preparations of an
processes are the foundation for our future.”
impeccable implementation of IFS at PCS. But that does not
diminish or completely take away the thrill of the actual
International
moment of ‘going live’. “I have been in this business for 20
“We have reached this first roll-out target in time and can
years now and I know that when going live you practically
conclude that the software and processes really work for
always meet with problems. We were pleasantly surprised
the business and meet our needs. As a team we maintain
that we only had a few minor problems, such as a non-
strong contacts with all international companies to make
functioning printer, missing printing forms etc. That is why I
sure IFS is implemented in the same way and based
am really proud of my team, the Information Managers and
on the same standards as at PCS. Next targets are the
the PCS key users and champions,” tells Günter Köster.
implementation of Pune/India (1 December), the payroll
system in Villingen (1 January), the beginning of the IDS
HR
16 targets
Villingen realisation and the CVS plant in Atlanta (USA).
On 4 October PCS closed all its ‘old’ systems and made
The teams and I are looking forward to these next steps.”
the decisive switch to IFS (baseline I). There was no
Apprenticeships within Kendrion
Learning ‘on the job’
Kendrion offers young ambitious people lots of opportunities.
They can develop their technical skills but almost equally
important is their personal growth. At every location training
supervisors are responsible for training and education; overall
apprenticeship management is the responsibility of Simone
Schollmeier and Börries Prohmann.
In Germany we employ more than 70 apprentices and
students. Most of these are trained ‘on the job’ to be
industrial mechanics, mechatronical engineers or cutting
mechanics. Some combine their job with a high school
to work together, being reliable, and knowing how to
study. The aim is to coach these youngsters to a permanent
communicate or to behave in different situations. That’s
job within Kendrion. 70% choose to do so. Others decide
what it is all about these days.”
to go back to school full time and finish a course at a
higher level. At Kendrion trainees also learn from each
Career
other. The same holds true for the local apprenticeship
In September 2012 32 new apprentices and students will
leaders. In February next year they all will meet in Markdorf
start their training. The Kendrion HR department organises
(Germany) for the first time to exchange knowledge and
recruitment activities all through the year. In newspapers,
experience.
at fairs and by organising tours around the company,
information sessions at schools and special days like f.e.
Personal
‘Girls’ Day’. Do you know young people in your environment
Simone Schollmeier: “For some of our apprentices working
who would be interested in a career with Kendrion, let us
at Kendrion is a life changing experience. They discover
know!
themselves, their strong points and what really interests
them. They become very motivated students and some
even return into a permanent job with Kendrion after their
course. We gladly welcome them!”
“An aspect of growing importance in our training program
is personal development”, says Börries Prohmann.
“Technical skills are only half the story. Combining these
with personal competences is what we aim for. Being able
12.
COLOPHON
Publisher: Kendrion N.V.
Organisation: Wilma Stuiver
Design: teamtva! reclamebureau
Copy: Wim Dieleman