GROB-WeRkeTechnological competence through generations

In the beginningthere is an idea.

Contents

GROB Mindelheim plant 03 System Business 05Universal machining center 07Planning 09Design and Development 11Production 13Assembly & Installation 15Service 17Technical Training 19GROB Departments 21

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GROB Mindelheim plant:The Beating Heart of GROB-WERKE Is Nestled in Bavaria.

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Established in 1968 as a supplier plant to GROB’s headquar-ters in Munich, what began on a mere 1500 square meters of ground in Mindelheim, Bavaria has grown five decades later into one of the largest employers and training facilities in the region. A workforce of over 2900 people is currently employed at the Mindelheim facility, which now fills ten halls and spans over 200,000 square meters.

The success story goes on, with yet another expansion of the Mindelheim facility in full swing. With an investment program of over 90 million euros, the production area at the headquar-ters in Mindelheim will be increased significantly. Also, we con-tinue to invest in a new logistic hall and in updated production facilities.

National roots and regional responsibility

And that’s not all. During the expansion of the Mindelheim plant, existing production processes are being upgraded to better prepare the facility for the global challenges posed by the growing markets. The Mindelheim plant, firmly embedded with nearly a century of tradition, will continue to be pivotal to GROB-WERKE and will carry increasing responsibility for the GROB facilities and subsidiaries around the world.

As a forward-thinking, family-run business, GROB-WERKE will continue to live up to its high degree of regional responsibil-ity and will make telling contributions towards the sustained, positive development of the town of Mindelheim and its sur-rounding areas

System Business:Boundless Permutations.

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There are two things we consider to be of utmost importance at GROB: our customers and their products. In order to ensure optimum implementation of our production equipment, we fos-ter a close relationship with our customers, acting as a point of contact on all strategic matters. Decades of experience, as well as high quality and dependability in both design and delivery serve to ensure that GROB customers enjoy optimum support in all aspects of the system business. The fact that GROB has sustained as a leader in machining for generations demonstrates its worldwide competence for state-of-the-art technology.

The GROB name is synonymous with machine tools which are at the top of their class and are ideal for each customer’s needs. GROB is also known for our system solutions for complex workstations used in series production. When the need arises, GROB takes on complete responsibility in turn-key projects. During the planning phase, we provide advisory and engineering support. GROB is able to draw upon a highly extensive portfolio in machine tool engineering during the creation of a production plant.

Ranging from the universal machining center to complex production systems, or from ancillary assembly cells to fully automated assembly lines – GROB’s processes and know-how are consistently of the highest quality. GROB machines and pro-duction facilities meet the stringent requirements and demands of the automotive manufacturing industry in every respect. Machine availability requirements are met with an over 98% performance rate. Our machines have guaranteed stability and precision under every machining condition. Along with simple and quick maintainability, we ensure that the very highest qual-ity standards are always delivered.

GROB machines are constructed and designed with utmost precision and efficiency. The needs of the automotive manufac-turing industry and its suppliers have been taken into account in the development of the new G-module series, which has brought GROB a wealth of recognition worldwide.

Competence In State-of-the-Art Technology Around the World

Universal machining center business:An innovation makes its mark.

The Technology and Application Center (TAC) at the Mind-elheim company headquarters is located at the very heart of the GROB universal machining center business. The TAC is the central testing and trial facility for innovative technologies. It is also the facility where GROB stages product presentations for customers. There are few materials which haven’t been machined at one time or another on one of the GROB univer-sal machining centers in the TAC.

GROB customers attending our regular conferences, seminars and other events can find out what state-of-the-art engineer-ing, specifically “Made in Germany”, has to offer.

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The “G” Success Story Goes On and OnDrawing upon their wealth of development experience, GROB engineers have developed a five-axis universal machining cen-ter for all cutting users. The proven G-module technology, built upon experience and expertise acquired from the automotive manufacturing industry, has been transferred to the technol-ogy and design of the G350, the G550 and the G750. Further innovative developments, such as the hydraulics-free machine tool and the milling and turning center, have led to fast suc-cesses in the hard fought universal machining center market, quickly elevating the G350, G550 and the G750 market-leader status in their class.

All the models in the G-module series are based upon a shared structure and design across all subassemblies. This also applies to the G350, G550 and the G750 model subassemblies. Genuinely flexible, they satisfy the variable requirements of the machine shop market while, at the same time, boasting the high accuracy and precision required in the automobile industry.

Planning:The Nucleus For Successful Ideas and Products.

Our customers benefit from the global networking, on all continents, of our facilities and subsidiaries. This guarantees the utmost quality in our machining centers, modular special machines and in the automation facilities manufactured by GROB. This is also true of the few peripheral parts that are outsourced and of the plant as a whole.

Virtual planning and production line simulations are gener-ated early in the quotation process, employing state-of-the-art planning methodology such as workflow, material-flow and/or machining process simulations.

In Planning, ideas are conceived as the cornerstones for suc-cess in customer projects. Here at GROB, Planning is not inter-preted as a catalytic convertor for customer requirements with existing technologies; for years we have seen it as a source of innovation and the link between Design and Development. It brings together decades of experience, high levels of technical expertise and optimum competence right along the process chain, from cutting to assembly and on to engineering.

Complete installations are configured as turnkey facilities, including the integration of outsourced machines within the process chain of machining centers or special machines. In Planning, the design of processes, production and assem-bly facilities are specially geared towards customer-specific requirements.

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The Link Between Require-ments and Process Design

Design and Development:The Heart of the Company.

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With an outlook towards meeting production requirements, our technicians and engineers develop precisely toleranced and dimensioned mechanical drawings of individual parts, as well as electrical cabinets, fluid plans and programs with the appropriate control software. Last but not least, they compile the definitive documentation, which includes mainte-nance and servicing manuals for all machines and production facilities.

This results in machinery and solutions our customers regard as benchmarks for precision and dependability. Thanks to their expertise as designers, the GROB development engineers manage to make the tightrope walk between innovative cre-ativity and what is technically and realistically achievable time and time again.

Here at GROB, Design and Development are the significant starting points for the competitiveness and success of the company. In order to rise to the challenge, our technicians and engineers have to fulfill a variety of requirements, some of which can be rather contradictory.

Exhibiting a wealth of creativity and a large dose of lateral thinking, our technicians and engineers veer away from paths that necessity steers them down in order to develop new, innovative concepts. This is always done under the premise of processing customer requirements within the specified bud-get and within the standardized modular structure, optimizing solutions down to the very last detail.

Ahead of Its Time – With Its Sights Set On Reality

Production:World-Class - Production of the Highest Standard.

Here at GROB, our world-class production means added value both in production and in installation. Thus, we aim to achieve the best overall commercial outcome for the company. Our motto, “taking shared responsibility”, aims at producing 100% of our components at their required quality and mak-ing sure no defects are passed on to departments further along the production chain.

Furthermore, the integration of the very latest methodologies in lean management, along with high-tech production facili-ties that utilize our own machines to make our own products, forms an excellent symbiosis and provides an uncompromising standard of quality. At GROB-WERKE, we take our responsibil-ity towards our customers seriously, we and are mindful of them at all times.

At GROB-WERKE, we’ve achieved our ambitious target of world-class production through different optimization pro-cesses. Segmenting production workflow, reducing internal cycle times and the refinement of process strategies have all factored into the optimization process. The highly vertical process along the entire production chain, including a wide variety of machining technologies and employee expertise, creates the perfect basis to meet customer needs. This ver-tical production process allows for the utmost flexibility and independence.

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Taking Shared Responsibility

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Assembly & Installation:Experience and Dexterity.

Thanks to their modular construction, the high quality of our products is already evident during their installation. Exhibiting a great deal of dexterity, the machines are joined together by an experienced team of employees to form a whole unit in a matter of a few days. Extensive quality testing is an integral part of each stage of installation.

During the commissioning of the line, the harmonic interac-tion of the entire process is checked in order to produce a defined number of workstations of the utmost quality, reliably and cost-efficiency, within a defined cycle time. This guaran-tees that customers enjoy the greatest possible benefits.

From sub-assembly to installation, then proceeding right through start-up and commissioning, GROB employees dem-onstrate their core competences in all aspects of customer relations. GROB Logistics Management ensures that work-flows run with optimum results from beginning to end.

A specially developed system of shop-floor management inte-grates the employees into our functional module. State-of-the-art IT support makes the availability of material transpar-ent in real time, creating an optimized logistics supply.

Core Competence in All Aspects of the Machining Process

GROB Service Connects: Anytime, Any Place

Service:Worldwide Ambassadors For GROB-WERKE.

Our customers get to know their service manager while the machines are being set up. It is his job not only to coordi-nate the installation of the equipment, but to also familiar-ize himself with the customer’s specific needs by maintaining constant contact with them. He is tasked with developing an understanding of modifications which customers plan to make to their production process and passing on their require-ments to our service department department.

When the need arises, our specialists in GROB’s repair centers, which are set up worldwide, can overhaul the component which lies at the very heart of our machines, the motor spin-dle. The availability of replacement components is enhanced through consultation with our customers even before prob-lems arise . This enables GROB service technicians to guaran-tee a reliable and prompt supply of spare parts.

Our service begins with the planning and coordination of machine installation and supports the customer through the start of production. It also includes the coordination of train-ing services, advice on the most optimal system utilization, overhauling installations and support for machine faults dur-ing the production process. This applies to all deliveries from the four production facilities in Bluffton (USA), São Paulo (Brazil), Dalian (PR China) and Mindelheim (Germany) to all corners of the globe.

Our extensive package of services includes status analyses, as well as advice on optimizing energy efficiency and on increas-ing the effectiveness of your overall plant. Our customers can rest assured that there is a team of service technicians close by wherever they are in world, around the clock, 360 days a year. If necessary, they can be dispatched within the hour.

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Technical Training:Foundations For a Successful Future.

There are ideal training opportunities available in our high-tech training department, as well as in carefully selected train-ing centers within our different technical departments.

In order to maintain the quality of training beyond vocational college at the highest possible level, our apprentices attend internal courses, which offer them additional training in a variety of areas throughout their apprenticeship. They learn to not only relate to the technical aspects of jobs, but they also learn health management, environmental training and other highly important soft skills.

Once they complete their training, the young, skilled work-ers have access to international job opportunities, offering a variety of possibilities for work and development and opening doors to virtually limitless areas of deployment.

The over 1400 young apprentices at our Mindelheim facility personify our ongoing commitment to training the next crop of skilled workers. And this goes beyond Germany. GROB has been writing its own success story in Brazil, and the US in particular, with its dual-vocational training system, setting an example for the whole sector to follow.

GROB offers training opportunities for all young prospective employees in six different areas of the business. This includes mechanical engineering training for industrial mechanics, automation technology for electronic engineers, and training for mechanical engineers, IT support, technical draftsmen and office administrative support. In addition, young people leav-ing school and technical college can also do a joint work / college-based course of study leading to a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electronics and engineering eco-nomics / logistics.

In the long tradition of our company

GROB Departments:Reliable Basis For the Success of the Company.

As with sports, team skills are also highly important to com-panies. Everyone in the company is responsible for successes and failures. Everyone plays their part in how the company performs. And this is also true of the areas and departments which are not always in the public eye.

GROB realized the importance of the teamwork ethic to our company early on and actively fostered it. For example, the Logistics Department quickly became recognized as an inte-gral aspect of the economic process and was equipped with a state-of-the-art logistics management system. Quality, which is equally sought by the company and by customers, is ensured at GROB by a closely interwoven network of GROB quality man-agement. Even the in-house suggestions system has developed into a modern idea- management system. And GROB’s excel-lently equipped plant medical service enjoys a good reputation both inside and outside of our company for its activities and advancements in health management.

Our Behind-the-Scenes Networkers

GROB has explored particular avenues in process and cost optimization. The company performs pioneering work with its “GROB Production System” (G-PS). G-PS describes methods and principles that make an important contribution towards the development of products or processes throughout the company. Not least of all, the proportion of added value within the company has been decisively improved by G-PS.

At the end of the day, it is the employees and their ideas that lead to the overall success of GROB-WERKE. There is nothing new about this, as it has been in practice at GROB for almost 90 years.

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Publisher: GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG, Mindelheim. Text: Robert A. Thiem, www.tme.at. Photos: GROB-WERKE GmbH & Co. KG, Robert A. Thiem, Dieter Rebmann Rebmann Photography, Photographie Kienle & Bühler, iStockphoto.com, Fotolia.com. Design & realizations: inpublic Werbung & PR, www.inpublic.at. Printed by: Holzer Druck und Medien Druckerei und Zeitungsverlag, www.druckerei-holzer.de