Summary

INTERNATIONAL STUDY MISSION 21-25 November 2011: Cologne : Germany

In order to understand the updated technologies and manufacturing practices from German

manufacturers, TÜV Rheinland Training & Consulting Division (India) has organized a study

mission to Germany from 21 to 25 November 2011.

This is the 3rd international level programme in this series by TUV Rheinland (India). Earlier

similar study missions have been conducted in October 2011 (Japan) and June 2011(

China).

This program was designed to provide an opportunity for senior level management from

Indian manufacturing industry to understand and share the manufacturing process through

shopfloor visits (at most innovative companies in the world like FORD AG, Mercedes Truck

Division, Duetz AG, BPW etc), seminar, interactive sessions etc.

The 15 member study mission comprised leading industrialists from 13 companies ie. JCB

India Ltd, TVS Motor Company Ltd, TAFE Ltd, Eicher Tractors, GW Precisions, Sona BLW,

Sonalika Group, Auto Clutches, Vipra Machines, Mangalore Minerals, Anjali Precisions etc.

The programme started with a welcome dinner on 20th November 2011 at Cologne.

Mrs Angela Mans, Head of Foreign Trade and International Relations from German

Assocoaition of Automobile and Supplier Industry has made a presentation on „The

German Automobile and Supplier Industry: Charecteristics, Development and Challenges” .

This was realy an interactive sessions. Many of the participants were showing interest to

join hands with German Automobile industry thorugh Partnership, Potential JVs ,strategic

partnership, sourcing opportunities etc.

.

Day 1 (21st November 2011) : On

21st November, delegation has visied

TUV Rheinland Head Quarters at

Cologne.

Mr Thomas Kampmann, Director –

Automobile & Aviation Technology Dept

of TUV Rheinland Kraftfahrt GmbH

has given the opening remarks and also

made a presentation on

„Automobile Safety Activities of TUV

Rheianlnd followed by a walkabout

through the TUV Rheinalnd’s testing

faciltiites.

Mr Martin Sperber, Global Business

Field Manager (Aviation Industry) from

TUV Rheinland Kraftfahrt GmbH has

also made a presentation on TUV

Rheinalnd‟s aviation activities. Mr

Calro Humberg, Global Business Head

of TUV Rheinland Akademie GmbH

and Prof. Dr Hermann Thomann,

Senior Vice President of TUV

Rheinalnd Consulting GmbH were

also present in the function.

Programme followed by Lunch at at

TUV Rheianld‟s Head Quarters

Day 2 (22 November 2011): Delegates have visited Duetz AG - world famous engine

manufacturing company at Cologne. Delegates had an opportunity to observe the assembly

line with high stocks vs. the highly optimized assembly line with a consignment of

components in order of assembling. Mr Reimann, Senior Vice President, Duetz AG has

made a presentation on „Process Planning and Optmization‟. The programme followed by

Lunch at Duetz AG

.

Visit to DLR: It was really an eye

opening session. DLR is Germany‟s

National Research Centre for Aeronautics.

Delegates had an opportunity to

walkthrough the DLR‟s R&D facility and

scientists and faculty members from DLR

have described the activities of DLR on

technological aspects during the

interactive sessions

Day 3 (23 November 2011):

Delegates also made a visit to University of Applied Sciences at Cologne. The

interactive session at University made an opportunity to share the industry and institutional

experience each other.

Prof Dr Ing Michael Matoni, Head of the Institute of Automotive Engineering and Dr

Helmut Schulte Herbruggen, Head of Production Technology from have made

presentations on „latest trends in automotive manufacturing technologies‟

The much awaited visit to FORD AG was

really a great experience for our

participants. Participants had an opportunity

to visit to the shopfloor areas.

Dr Korber and Dr Schell from Ford AG

have made an interesting presentations on

„Product Development‟ and “Electric Mobility‟

respectively.

Another highlight on day II was the

visit to BPW Bergische Achsen

Kommanditgesellschaft. BPW is a

producer of axles and located at Wiehl

(51 KM away from Cologne).

Same day delegation has travelled from Dusseldorf to Dulmen to visit to Wiesmann

GmbH- manufacturer of sports cars. The practical sessions on car assembly held at

Wiesmann shopfloor area consisted of production process (from design to dispatch), metal

works, bodyworks, electronics, pre-assembly and final assembly.

Demonstration of a ‘model machine shop’ at

University of Applied Sciences at Cologne.

Day 4 (24 November 2011): Visit to Daimler AG at

Dusseldorf was another important learning session. Mr Cong

Nguyen, Technical Adviser has briefed the shopfloor activities

(bodyshell works and assembling) of Mercedes Truck Division.

Mr Thomas Bocker, Head of Technical Services of Daimler plant

has made a case study presentation on „Environmental

management at Daimler Dusseldorf‟. The session followed by

lunch at Daimler AG.

The overall feedback from the participants is encouraging. The Study mission provided an

opportunity to obtain first-hand exposure to various innovative and successful Quality

techniques implemented in Germany and also provided an opportunity to learn good

manufacturing practices and updated technologies

………………

The programme finished with a

warp-up session at Hotel Rosenpark

Laurensberg at Aachen.

Prof. Dr. Hermann Thomann,

Senior Vice President Consulting of

TÜV Rheinland Consulting GmbH

has made the key note address at

the closing ceremony and handed

over the participation certificate to

all the participants.

Day 5 (25 November 2011):

Mission members have visited FKA

Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrtwesen GmbH

(Automotive Research Institute) at Aachen.

Mr Markus Thoennes from FKA made a

presentation on „The Excellence Automotive

Cluster Northrhine-Westphalia‟. Also, FKS officials

have provided the opportunity to visit the FKA

testing facilities and e-car assembly and its

demonstration. Moreover, FKA has offered their

support for conducting technical courses for people

from Indian Industry.