The Rupp Report: More Investment For The Future

In mid-July 2010, Groz-Beckert officially opened its new Technology and Development Center (TEZ) in
Albstadt, Germany. The TEZ will serve as a platform for research and development, strengthening
systematic thinking, innovation, and synergies in close cooperation with machine producers, machine
users and partners. An important role also is played by training and further education.

Facts And Figures

The planning started in the spring of 2005. In October 2006, the renowned Munich
architectural office of Henn GmbH was awarded the contract. The construction work, realized by
various local contractors, proceeded according to plan. This was also thanks to the commitment
shown by the relevant authorities and the people involved in the project within the company itself.

The TEZ is Groz-Beckert’s biggest-ever construction project, and the facts are impressive:
27,000 cubic meters (m3) of concrete, 3,200 metric tons of steel and 700 metric tons of steel
girders were used, while almost 8,000 square meters (m2) of flat and sloping roofs had to be
covered. The interior space amounts to 136,000 m3. The floor space covers an area of 5,000 m2, and
the total area covered by the TEZ amounts to 25,000 m2, including 14,000 m2 of usable space.

Big Investment

With regard to sustainability, the TEZ surpasses in several respects the strict energy-saving
requirements already in place. Structural materials were selected with conscious regard to
environmental compatibility and durability. Emulsion-based materials were largely eliminated and
the steel roofs were powder-coated, to prevent any rainwater contamination by heavy metals. The
building is said to be the proof of the manner in which Groz-Beckert assumes economic, ecological
and social responsibility.

The investment in the TEZ amounts to roughly 70 million euros. In choosing Albstadt as its
location, Groz-Beckert says it has made a commitment in favor of its headquarters and the
surrounding region. All the company’s core competencies — including development, design, process
technology and lab technology — are centered here, and especially at the TEZ. The center will
thrive on the know-how transfer from production in Albstadt and from instant access to all
services. Moreover, the site features a qualified education infrastructure and, as ever, a profound
level of textile expertise.

The Services

Research and development, applications consulting, sound education and further training, a
comprehensive interchange of ideas — all these aspects and more are taken into consideration at
the center, Groz-Beckert states. A main focus is on five technical centers for the most diverse
textile production methods, including knitting, weaving, felting, tufting and sewing.

The company notes that machines and installations close to production are fixed components of
these technical centers, adding that they enable application technology experiments as well as
short batch runs and production of special series as a service for partners. It also is possible to
test Groz-Beckert products under actual production conditions. In addition, customers and partners
can work together at the centers to develop products, and processes can be optimized.

A further, central area of the TEZ is the Groz-Beckert Laboratory. Apart from lab services
for the most diverse sectors, the lab provides a special section devoted to the new “Textile
Product Technology — Technical Textiles” study course. The TEZ also includes an apprentice
workshop, various meeting and conference rooms, developer offices, and a 275-seat auditorium.

Objectives

System solutions and services augment Groz-Beckert’s diversified range of products. The
company is also opening a card clothing service for nonwovens and a consulting service for
sewing-machine needles, and expects the TEZ will provide additional synergies and momentum.

Systems Thinking

The TEZ has as its main goals not only a greater emphasis on thinking in systems, but also
the encouragement of research and development, innovation, synergies, and the integration of
training and further education, Groz-Beckert reports. In its effort to bring qualified new
employees on board just in Albstadt, the company continually provides training for 30 commercial
and 145 technical apprentices, and achieves a training quota higher than 9 percent.

August 17, 2010

SHARE