The company made a clear statement about the importance of a balanced lifestyle with a variety of exciting offerings and activities that focused on well-being and health. From the start, employees were thrilled with the extensive health checkups. Vision tests, heart rate variability measurements, as well as blood pressure and spinal measurements allowed employees to assess their current health status and take preventive measures if necessary.

 Another highlight of the Health Day was the AOK information booth. An expert from the General Local Health Insurance Fund provided employees with helpful information and advice on various health-related topics. From questions about health insurance to tips on prevention and health promotion, employees had the opportunity to discuss individual concerns and gain valuable insights for their well-being.

 To help employees cope with the stress of their work lives and promote a healthy work-life balance, relaxation massages and exercises were offered. A professional masseuse and relaxation experts ensured that employees could relax and recharge. These offerings presented employees with various ways to reduce stress and improve their mental health.

 A show truck with e-bikes, provided by Ravensburger Fahrradprofis, enticed employees to test ride and offered them a new perspective on modern mobility solutions. Employees had the opportunity to try out the latest electric bicycles. The show truck brought innovation and sustainability right to their doorstep, inspiring employees to consider eco-friendly alternatives to cars, such as JobRad.

 To replenish energy reserves and promote healthy eating, the Health Bar awaited employees with a variety of delicious snacks and freshly pressed juices. Employees could help themselves at the bar and recharge their energy with nutritious treats.

 The Schulz Group's Health Day was a resounding success and underscored the company's strong commitment to employee well-being and health. The wide range of offerings - from comprehensive checkups to informative lectures, relaxation opportunities, and innovative mobility solutions - provided employees with diverse opportunities to promote their health and find inspiration.

Health Day strengthens employee well-being

The Schulz Group's Health Day, organized for all subsidiaries based in Ravensburg, generated great enthusiasm and positive feedback among employees last week. 

DGUV V3 is an accident prevention regulation issued by the German Social Accident Insurance institutions. It refers to a company's binding obligation to ensure the safety of its employees in the workplace. This inspection allows the early detection of possible danger points so that they can be avoided.

Testing is carried out on all electrical equipment and systems that are either permanently installed or regularly transported with their environments. This means that any entrepreneur using hoovers, computers, drills or similar devices for commercial purposes is obliged to have them regularly inspected. These inspections may only be carried out by competent persons who have the necessary expertise according to the Industrial Safety Regulations. Schulz Engineering offers the appropriately trained electrical specialists together with the latest testing equipment. In this way, we can guarantee straightforward and reliable inspection procedures with detailed documentation of the results.

Our specialists first establish the range of devices to be tested and create a test protocol. The DGUV V3 test is then carried out in the following three steps:

1) Visual inspection – Does the object have visible defects from the outside (e.g. rust)?

2) Functional test – Are all the unit's functions fully functional (e.g. circuit breakers)?

3) Measurement test – Are the limit and guide values within the device standard?

Depending on the business unit, complexity and size of the equipment or systems, the inspection interval varies from 6 to 24 months.

With more than 130 employees at three locations, Schulz Engineering is one of the leading German engineering service providers in the field of engineering, planning, design and simulation as well as commissioning of sophisticated special machines and complex production plants in the automotive and aviation industries. Thanks to its close and long-standing cooperation with one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance lithium-ion battery systems, the company is also further expanding its capabilities in the development of assembly systems for battery production.

Testing of electrical equipment according to DGUV V3 (German Social Accident Insurance Reg. 3)

Schulz Engineering has been a registered electrical contractor since January 2021 and offers regular testing of stationary and non-stationary equipment and systems under DGUV V3 including final documentation.

Virtual reality is the new tool for digitalising training and courses quickly and easily. Our VR team develops a customised training environment tailored to every customer requirement, and there are no limits to our design. Even if the workplace and necessary work equipment do not yet exist, our designers can create them as desired. This means that training participants can learn assembly steps and processes even before their first real working day.

The virtual training sessions can be used at any stage of the operator's career – from classic onboarding to further training – and save time as well as personnel and material costs. The time required for preparation and follow-up as well as on-site support is greatly reduced as operators run through the processes in the virtual environment largely on their own. Moreover, there are no real consequences if the worker makes a mistake or operating error. Since the VR can be used almost anywhere and at any time, scheduling training is quick and easy.

The special feature of our visualisation is that the training participants can move freely and at their own pace. In this way, workers can explore the computer-generated world at leisure and examine the working materials at close quarters. Visual, haptic and audiovisual effects appeal to several senses at the same time and help operators learn up to four times faster compared to conventional courses. By the same token, operators feel more motivated to apply what they have learned in the workplace. Our VR team supports the customer throughout the entire process by means of remote assistance and also offers digital assembly instructions for internal knowledge sharing among production staff. Supplementary information or assistance such as outlining or information texts can be individually included for the operator.

Schulz Engineernig expands portfolio with virtual reality

Schulz Engineering GmbH is expanding its service portfolio to include “Virtual Operator Training”. Training costs can be reduced and learning content can be internalised more quickly with the help of digitalised courses.

AKASOL AG from Darmstadt is a leading German manufacturer of high-performance lithium-ion battery systems. Schulz Engineering took over the failure mode and effects analysis as part of the risk and process management. FMEA is used to optimise products or production processes, to avoid additional costs and to make work processes more efficient and effective. The certified moderators prepared the risk assessment for the production facilities of the “UHE” projects, both for the battery module and the battery system, according to the latest VDA/AIAG standard.

The failure mode analysis of the planned production processes was carried out in cooperation with experts from product development, plant planning, quality, testing, production, work preparation and logistics. This analysis shows potential errors in the process as well as their consequences and causes. The focus is on determining and avoiding possible causes to minimise the risk of error. After conducting the initial risk assessment, the team improved the various aspects of the production process identified as weaknesses by adjusting the prevention and detection measures.

The project is currently in the implementation phase with the Schulz Engineering measures derived from the analysis. The project will be further supervised within the framework of the FMEA coordination contract. This involves the regular review of production development and the corresponding assessment of current risk using the FMEA process.

Schulz Engineering, headquartered in Ravensburg Erlen, is one of eight subsidiaries of the Schulz Group, a medium-sized group of companies with approximately 300 employees throughout Germany, which has been successfully active in the three business areas of engineering, mechanical engineering and software for over 35 years.
 

Schulz Engineering analysed the production processes for the new round cell battery systems of AKASOL AG in Darmstadt using the FMEA process. To do this, the certified FMEA moderators accompany the development of the production process from CAD concept to SOP.

Instead of classic petrol stations and internal combustion engines, the Schulz Group based in Ravensburg is now relying on decentralised charging stations and thus setting an example for electromobility. For many people, e-mobility is still a transport concept for the distant future, yet it has long been part of our everyday lives. In the future, more and more cars with electric motors will be on the roads and will permanently change the image of mobility. The German government aims to have ten million electric cars and approximately one million charging points in Germany by 2030. The growing number of electric car registrations must be matched by an increase in charging options.

The Schulz Group also intends to drive forward mobility transformation – towards electrification. That is why, in addition to the photovoltaic system on the company roof, five charging points have been available since 2015. At the beginning of this year, capacity was expanded to a total of 22 charging stations as part of a collaboration with the corporate start-up ChargeBig of the company MAHLE. In response to the increased demand for charging options, the management decided to expand the charging infrastructure at the Ravensburg site. The Schulz Group's fleet of company vehicles already includes 17 electric vehicles, and the trend is rising. Electric cars are also becoming increasingly popular among Schulz Group employees in the private sector.

“We are particularly pleased that this investment provides our employees as well as visitors and customers with a free opportunity to charge electric vehicles in our company car park with charging rates up to 22 kW,” says managing partner Sven Schulz. 

Schulz Group GmbH not only offers an incentive to switch to environmentally friendly driving, but also helps to create greater acceptance of electromobility. With this investment, Sven Schulz wants to set an example as an entrepreneur and sees it as his duty as an employer to make a contribution to sustainability and to create the necessary conditions for this.

The shift towards CO2-neutral transport on the roads is only possible if environmentally friendly "refuelling" is possible in public places, at home or at work. This is a challenge we accept. We are happy to take small steps towards a cleaner future.

Schulz Group further expands its charging infrastructure

Management holding company “Schulz Group GmbH” installs 22 charging stations for electric cars at the head office in Ravensburg-Erlen.

With around 150 employees, Schulz Engineering is one of the leading German engineering service providers in the field of engineering, planning, design and simulation as well as commissioning of sophisticated special machines and complex production plants in the automotive industry. The digital factory planning pioneer's renowned customer base includes major German automotive manufacturers such as VW, Audi and BMW. Thanks to its many years of cross-industry expertise in various markets, its outstanding competence in planning and design, and its use of the latest simultaneous engineering technologies, the company believes it is well positioned to gradually enter new markets.

Florian Geisler's appointment to the board of Schulz Engineering is an important step forwards and breathes new life into the company's management. It creates a foundation for the company's continuing success and contemporary development. The 45-year-old has more than 19 years of professional experience in the engineering environment and has been employed by Schulz Engineering since 2003 – initially as a plant planner, later as a team leader and since 2008 as a project manager for a wide range of customer projects.

Thanks to his many years of experience in the company, Florian Geisler believes he is very well prepared for his future tasks: “Together with my highly qualified team of experienced designers and engineers from Schulz Engineering, I am highly motivated to face up to the structural changes and economic challenges and to use my know-how to make a targeted contribution to the success of the company and its future positioning in the market,” says the father of two daughters. His expanded responsibilities as a member of the board also include gradually preparing the company for the digital transformation.

Schulz Engineering, headquartered in Ravensburg Erlen, is one of seven subsidiaries of the Schulz Group, a medium-sized group of companies with approximately 500 employees throughout Germany, which has been successfully active in the three business areas of engineering, mechanical engineering and cleantech for over 30 years. The companies include AKASOL AG from Darmstadt, a leading European manufacturer of high-performance lithium-ion battery systems. With around 150 employees, Schulz Engineering is one of the leading German engineering service providers in the field of engineering, planning, design and simulation as well as commissioning of sophisticated special machines and complex production plants in the automotive industry. The digital factory planning pioneer's renowned customer base includes major German automotive manufacturers such as VW, Audi and BMW. Thanks to its many years of cross-industry expertise in various markets, its outstanding competence in planning and design, and its use of the latest simultaneous engineering technologies, the company believes it is well positioned to gradually enter new markets.

Management expansion at Schulz Engineering

Florian Geisler has been a member of the management board since March. Schulz Engineering GmbH, one of the leading German engineering service providers for the automotive industry in the business areas of plant engineering, digital factory, assembly and control technology as well as in the development of sophisticated special machines and complex production plants, has expanded its management team as part of its continued growth. In addition to the two previous CEOs Rolf Schramm and Roland Arnold, Florian Geisler now also heads up the Ravensburg-based company. The 45-year-old engineering graduate will be responsible for finance, sales, project management, human resources, and marketing and communications.

The Ravensburg-based Schulz Group has many years of engineering, production and product experience in the automotive industry and through its individual subsidiaries provides a broad range of industry-specific know-how. By acquiring an experienced automation and assembly technology specialist, the company is complementing the scope of its operations by further expanding in the dynamic market for production automation in various industries. Over the past 15 years, h-kon GmbH has become a recognized specialist in the development of highly complex systems for the automated and manual assembly of electric motors, gearboxes, electromechanical drive systems, battery modules and systems, and the associated test bench technology.

The long-standing expertise of h-kon thus represents an excellent addition to the existing service portfolio of the Schulz Group, whose subsidiary Schulz Engineering GmbH with its approximately 160 employees is one of the leading German engineering service providers in the field of planning, development and commissioning of sophisticated machines and complex production lines for the manufacture of vehicle bodies and chassis in the automotive industry.

“The close cooperation we have now achieved between h-kon and Schulz Engineering under the umbrella of the Schulz Group creates significant synergies for both companies for novel and promising technology and large-scale projects with leading customers from various industries,” explains Sven Schulz, managing partner of the Schulz Group. The strategic partnership is also a further consistent step towards accelerating entry into new markets and at the same time should counteract the current high competitive and market pressure in Schulz Engineering's existing business.

“As we have developed extensive cross-industry expertise over many years and have a growing portfolio of products and services, as well as outstanding planning and design competence with forward-looking technologies, we are a competent partner for our customers when it comes to developing holistic solutions for complex issues such as the virtualization of production facilities in the context of a digital factory,” Roland Arnold summarizes. The 59-year-old spokesman for the Schulz Engineering management board is taking a 20% stake in the acquisition of h-kon GmbH and will become managing partner of the new Schulz Group subsidiary. Roland Arnold had already successfully implemented several international projects in the field of large machinery and plant engineering with the h-kon team before joining Schulz Engineering as CEO in mid-2019. “I am delighted that h-kon is now part of our group of companies. We want to develop the company systematically and grow dynamically in business areas previously focused on by h-kon. We expect to benefit from synergies with Schulz Engineering, which will contribute employees as well as its know-how and the corresponding infrastructure to this project,” explains Roland Arnold with reference to the future integration of h-kon GmbH into the Schulz Group's Engineering division.

The previous owner of h-kon GmbH, Siegfried Haller, is also delighted with the deal: “It is now almost 15 years since the company was founded, and I am pleased that it is now being placed in such good hands. h-kon's expertise and its employees will both be able to develop very well in this new environment.” Siegfried Haller will remain with the company for the next three years. During the one-year transition phase, he will continue as CEO together with Roland Arnold, and later and until his retirement from active working life, he will be technical director.

Portfolio expansion for automation and assembly technology

Schulz Group is continuing its growth strategy despite the coronavirus crisis and has acquired the service provider h-kon GmbH. The holding company Schulz Group GmbH, which operates successfully internationally with its seven subsidiaries in the fields of engineering, software, mechanical engineering and cleantech, is continuing its consistent diversification strategy. With the acquisition of the Ravensburg-based design service provider h-kon GmbH, the company is expanding its strategic portfolio in the field of automation and assembly technology and setting a decisive course for further growth away from its previous area of activity.

“It is precisely this togetherness that is very important to us, because our success over all these years is the result of the exceptional creativity, innovative strength and passion of our teams,” says CEO Sven Schulz. This is one of the reasons why the company decided to merge the companies Schulz Group GmbH, Mage Solar GmbH and NetAllied Systems GmbH, which were previously located in Tettnang and Ravensburg, as well as two branches of Schulz Engineering GmbH.

With up to 220 state-of-the-art office and CAD workstations, the new, energy-efficient and sustainably designed company building in Ravensburg-Erlen not only offers the companies plenty of space for joint ideas over an area of almost 5,000 square meters, but also charts the course for the future from the place where it all started. The new head office enables the family-run company to maintain what it is proud of: proximity and personal contact as well as trusting cooperation – with the customers and the employees.

In total, the Schulz Group has invested approximately 10 million euros in its new head office. There were around 160 workplaces occupied following the move, all designed in line with the open-space office concept. Spacious meeting rooms and coffee lounges in all sections of the building are intended to contribute to a pleasant working atmosphere.

The energy-efficient building concept includes, among other things, a so-called underfloor cooling and heating system that ensures a pleasant temperature in both summer and winter. The energy for this is taken from geothermal energy in conjunction with a heat pump, which is largely fed by the electrical energy from the PV system installed on the flat roof. 194 modules with approximately 318 square meters generate an average of more than 40,880 kilowatts of environmentally friendly electricity annually. The electricity generated can save almost 24 tons of CO2 emissions. In short, the building is built so efficiently that it is 70% p.a. self-sufficient in energy.

The new head office contains an automatic ventilation system that provides the building with an adequate amount of fresh air at all times of the year, even without window ventilation, as well as lighting that has been fully equipped with energy-saving LED technology and a synchronous Internet connection with a speed of up to 300 Mbit; in addition, all floors of the new building are accessible without barriers.

The modern four-story building complex continues to meet the requirements for silver certification under the guidelines of the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).

Today, the Schulz Group also includes Akasol GmbH (Darmstadt), Lang Tube Tec (Lorsch) and Dengler Tube Tec and Dengler Engineering (both Witten), which will remain at their current locations. Schulz Engineering's offices in Braunschweig, Jena and Völklingen will also remain in place.

Schulz Group moves into the new head office

Schulz Group moves into new head office – the course is set for expansion in Ravensburg-Erlen. “We are the engineers of the future – here and now”. This has been the Schulz Group's motto since 1986. At that time, Reinhold Schulz founded the company "Schulz Konstruktionen" in Ravensburg. Now, some of the subsidiaries are meeting again under one roof. With the new building and the move to Ravensburg-Erlen, the Schulz Group wants to pool its strengths at one location.

As a system supplier for the Gigafactory 1 of AKASOL AG in Darmstadt, Schulz Engineering GmbH has handed over the production line for the AKARack lithium-ion battery system. With the main line, the sub-assemblies for the assembly of the control units also go into operation on schedule.

Monitoring of all production process parameters via OPC coupled smart devices

End-to-end worker guidance with traceability and quality gates

Integration of end-of-line testing into the product line

With around 150 employees, Schulz Engineering is one of the leading German engineering service providers in the field of engineering, planning, design and simulation as well as commissioning of sophisticated special machines and complex production plants. With its headquarters in Ravensburg Erlen, it is one of seven subsidiaries of the Schulz Group, a medium-sized group of companies with around 500 employees throughout Germany, which has been successfully active in the three business areas of engineering, mechanical engineering and cleantech for over 30 years. The companies include AKASOL AG from Darmstadt, a leading European manufacturer of high-performance lithium-ion battery systems.

Schulz Engineering GmbH handed over a manual production line for AKASOL AG in Darmstadt at the end of October. For the series production of the 48-volt battery system “AKARack”, it developed a holistic concept, supervised production and commissioned the manual production line in the new Gigafactory 1 at the end of October.

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Schulz Engineering GmbH
Theodor-Krumm-Straße 18
88213 Ravensburg                 

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Battery assembly in factory 4.0