Draexlmaier Group (Fritz Draexlmaier GmbH & Co. KG) Business Report FY ended Dec. 2016

Recent Years

Financial Overview

-In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Company had net sales of EUR 3.7 billion, an 8.9% increase over the previous year’s sales of approximately EUR 3.4 billion.

Awards

-In October 2015, the Company announced that its site in Solihull, UK recently received the "JLRQ Award" from Jaguar Land Rover. Draexlmaier delivers center consoles and cockpits for the Land Rover Discovery, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport precisely in sequence to the Jaguar Land Rover production lines. (From a press release on October 1, 2015)

-In 2015, the Company received the following awards:

  • Qualitas Award 2015 from FCA
  • Supplier of the Year Award 2015 from Tesla Motors


-In 2013, the Company received the BMW Supplier Innovation Award 2013 in the category of "New Technology Experience" for its natural fiber door panel used in the BMW i3.

-In 2013, Draexlmaier Malaysia, a subsidiary of the Company, won the Local Content Parts Supplier of the Year Award 2013 from Mercedes-Benz.

-In 2012, the Company received the VW Supplier Excellence Award in the category of Parts Logistics. (From a press release on September 26, 2012)

R&D Facilities

-The Company's central research facility is the Draexlmaier Technology Center (DTZ) in Vilsbiburg, Germany. Additional series development centers are located in Munich, Ingolstadt, and Boeblingen, Germany; and Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

R&D Structure

-The Company has over 2,000 employees working in research and development.

-The Company has cooperated with the following research institutions and universities on various projects:

  • Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany
  • Technical University of Munich Foundation
  • Rhine-Westphalian Technical College in Aachen, Germany
  • Technical College in Landshut, Germany

Product Development

Products displayed at electronica trade fair
-In 2015, the Company presented several electronic and lighting systems at the electronica trade fair in Munich.

  • Robust high-voltage connectors: The connectors can be used for cross-sectional areas between 16 and 50 square millimeters. The connectors are thermally stable, resistant to aging in a wide temperature range, EMC shielded, and vibration resistant.
  • Allround contacts: A lamellar contact can be used for pressed screens, conductor rails, or plug-in relays. Benefits include its usability with high currents, small installation spaces, and low transition resistances.
  • LED ambient lighting: LED ambient lighting provides the ability to utilize a wide range of colors, individual lighting scenarios that can spell out messages or notifications, and longer life compared to standard lighting. The LED’s smaller dimensions allow it to be used in a variety of applications.

(From a press release on November 7, 2014)

Interior design for storage of high-visibility vests
-The Company unveiled a new interior design based on European regulations requiring high-visibility safety vests in cars which took effect on July 1, 2014. The safety vests are stored in compartments located in various places such as the center console or door panels. By placing the vests out of sight, the vests will not clash with the stylish appearance of the interior. Additionally, the interior will include safety measures such as indicator arrows that will light up and show the location of the vests if the hazard lights are activated. If the airbags are deployed in an accident, the compartments will automatically open. (From a press release on July 24, 2014)

Investments in Germany

-The Company formally opened a new production facility in Leipzig, Germany on September 26, 2013, called DMS Draexlmaier Modulsysteme GmbH. The new facility has over 12,000 square meters of floor space and more than 120 employees. DMS Draexlmaier Modulsysteme produces cockpits, door panels, center consoles and installs wiring harnesses for the Porsche "Panamera". In 2014, the facility also began assembly of cockpits and center consoles for the Porsche "Macan". (From a press release on September 26, 2013)

Investments outside Germany


-In September 2015, the Company announced that it will invest a total of USD 35 million through 2016 for upgrades to its facility in Duncan, South Carolina, U.S. The investment will include the addition of a 184,000-square-foot (16,560 square meters) production and logistics building to the existing facility, as well as upgrades to the plant infrastructure and equipment. The expansion is expected to create 94 new jobs. The new addition to the existing building will significantly increase the plant's capacity, house state-of-the-art equipment for the assembly of vehicle interiors and components such as instrument panels, center consoles and door panels, and provide additional warehouse space, social areas and a new cafeteria. Construction is expected to begin this November and will be completed by September 2016. (From a press release on September 21, 2015)


-In August 2014, the Company built a second industrial facility in Masaya, Nicaragua to increase production capacity in the country. The Company invested USD 10 million into the new facility, which produces automotive harnesses. (From a press release on August 25, 2014)


-In April 2014, the Company announced that it would open a new factory in Pitesti, Romania. The new factory will produce replacement components and wiring and will hire 500 workers. (From a press release on April 30, 2014)


-In January 2014, the Company's UK subsidiary, DAU Draexlmaier Automotive UK, leased an industrial unit located in Dordon, England. DAU Draexlmaier Automotive UK agreed to a fifteen year lease for the 169,000-square-feet unit at GBP 5.75 per square foot. The company plans to use the facility to service an existing contract with Jaguar Land Rover. (From a press release on January 2014)


-In July 2012, the Company announced that it would begin construction of a new plant in Kavaradci, Macedonia. The production facility would produce wiring systems for premium automakers and would represent the Company's first investment in Macedonia. At the start of operations, the plant will employ 300 workers, with the potential to expand to approximately 4,000 workers over the next few years. (From a press release on July 19, 2012)