11: Improving operational performance for a premium manufacturer of automotive interior equipment
in the role of “Head of Engineering & Innovation”
Premium manufacturer of automotive interior equipment – Group headquarters
Premium manufacturer of automotive interior modules (cockpits, doors, centre consoles), trim components, as well as mechanical and electronic gear selectors.
Head of Engineering & Innovation
Responsible for advanced development, innovation management, technology development, OEM and Tier 1 product application development, systems engineering, CAD design, process development and toolmaking for interior modules, trim components, as well as mechanical and electronic gear selectors (shift-by-wire).
- Innovation areas: “Smart Surfaces”, “Shy technology”, ambient lighting, efficient heating concepts, sustainable surface materials, lightweight structures with sustainable and polymer materials, innovative leather lamination for safety applications (airbag systems).
- Lead approx. 100 employees, reporting to the Group Managing Director.
Initial situation & tasks:
- Insufficient innovation capability; advanced development without focus or process.
- OEM and Tier 1 customer projects with significant cost and profitability issues; upcoming start-of-production launches partly at risk.
Activities / Measures:
- Restructuring of the engineering organisation with clear product orientation to increase efficiency and development speed, thereby supporting the growing OEM business.
- Separation between program management and technical project leadership within engineering.
- Definition and implementation of a new innovation process to reduce “time-to-market” for new concepts and technologies.
- Product development process (PDP) adapted to ensure the OEM business with vehicle manufacturers and electronics development with external partners in accordance with IATF 16949.
Key successes/results:
- Created the basis for targeted, process-supported advanced development; introduced innovation management.
- Stabilized development projects and significantly improved the profitability of key projects.
- Initiated strategic partnerships with technology partners.
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