Automotive companies offering a new manufacturing path to innovators and startups

Article content

The recently announced Canadian Automobility Hub is still taking shape in Windsor, but St. Clair College’s director of research, innovation and entrepreneurship, Peter Wawrow, has already seen what it can be.

Article content

The collaboration model between the German engineering and consulting firm PEM Motion and the University of Aachen (Germany) has created a flourishing ecosystem of micro-manufacturing, innovation and startups that has transformed the economy of that city.

“It was really the story of an automotive city, similar to Windsor, that was struggling and plants were shutting down,” Wawrow said.

With this method we will address a lower production, around 10,000 vehicles per year.

“We toured some of those facilities, where PEM took over and they are now part of the acceleration factory. Instead of large manufacturing organizations, there are many small startups that are happening.

“It is really diversifying the economy there.”

PEM will be one of three companies, along with Ottawa-based Windsor Mold Group and Integris Software, that have formed Automobility Enterprises. It will be the private sector wing of the Canadian Automobility Hub that was announced on Wednesday.

Article content

The center’s research and development arm, Automobility Research, will be based at St. Clair College and will also involve the University of Windsor.

In its seven-year history, PEM Motion has been involved in the creation of two emerging vehicle producers, Street Scooter and e.Go.

“We are offering a concept that we have tested in Germany with e.Go and Street Scooter,” said PEM Motion Managing Director Christoph Lienemann. “It is thinking big, starting small.

“With this method we will tackle a smaller production, around 10,000 vehicles per year. We want to do that in Windsor, offering much faster and cheaper industrialization than traditional large-scale production. “

PEM avoids large fixed costs such as assembly lines and automated robot benches. Its factories serve multiple customers, producing different products that do not require long periods of change.

Article content

“We need to be more flexible using technologies like the internet of things or data and other things to better optimize production,” Lienemann said.

“It is much cleaner and less like an (assembly) line because we are more flexible. It is more fluid ”.

The public-private concept has attracted talent and companies to Aachen who want to be close to this center of innovation.

“It is not a PEM thing, but a local innovation ecosystem, but we are a crucial part of that,” said Lienemann.

“Now Ford has a research center there with 200 employees. BMW will move there and Siemans will too ”.

In its seven years, PEM has grown with facilities in Europe, Mexico and California and recently signed commitments in India and China.

Article content

Automobility Enterprises expects Windsor production to begin in 12 to 18 months.

“We are targeting three different types of customers,” Lienemann said.

“One is the automotive companies in Europe or Asia that want to target the North American market.

“Others are startups that still can’t afford serious production, but want to be fast.

“The third are products that are not strictly automotive: tractors, smaller scooters and special vehicles (mining, agriculture).”

Integris Software Managing Director Randy Zadra said global interest in the Windsor operation is already high. The Windsor plant will focus on the construction of commercial delivery vehicles.

“Our first batch of vehicles will be 1,500,” Zadra said.

“The North American market is behind Europe and Asia in electric vehicles. There’s a lot of talk about what’s coming up, but we actually have a proven vehicle to show you. “

[email protected]

Twitter.com/winstarwaddell