Company Profile Experience plus ideas
Contents 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 Milestones in the history of VOSS Experience plus ideas VOSS in numbers VOSS Holding Directing company strategies VOSS Automotive Image and references VOSS Automotive Consistent quality management VOSS Automotive Innovative development partner with the automobile industry VOSS Automotive From trial and prototype workshop to customer oriented complete solutions VOSS Fluid Profile and performances VOSS Fluid Applications and markets VOSS Fluid Innovation in close cooperation with customers VOSS Fluid Optimally designed line and connection technology VOSS Fluid Flexible in production and logistics People at VOSS Environmental policies of the VOSS group Impressum 1 Contents
Milestones in the history of VOSS 1931 Company founded Ing. Hermann Voss takes over a small company that manufactures domestic plumbing fittings in Wipperfürth 1953 Hans Hermann Voss, Dipl.-Ing., joins the Armaturenfabrik Hermann Voss employing 5 staff. Introduction of a new product range: Tube connections for mechanical engineering and vehicle construction 1960 Production commences at the Nordkirchen plant 1969 Purchase of the Wollmeyer textile company s premises at Leiersmühle in Wipperfürth 1972- VOSS responds to changed market conditions: 1976 Founding of own sales and production companies, initially for hydraulic components in France, Italy and Spain, and later in Great Britain, USA and Brazil Innovation through the expansion of product development; market introduction of quick connect system 240 for pneumatic brakes in commercial vehicles (1975) 1987 Expansion of the plant site in Wipperfürth to over 100,000 m 2 by taking over a section of the Kabelwerk premises 1990 Acquisition of the Ravitt company in France, thereby increasing VOSS group employees to over 1,000 1993 First use of VOSS components in cars: quick connect system 203 for air suspension 1996 Kreissparkasse Köln becomes a shareholder in VOSS Holding; Sales revenue provide future asset diversification of the Hans Hermann Voss-Stiftung (foundation established in 1992) 1999 Change in company structure: VOSS Automotive Line and connection technology for commercial and passenger vehicles VOSS Fluid Components for mobile and stationary hydraulics in engineering VOSS Immobilien + Service 2000 Conversion of production into sub-sections: Factories within the factory. Expansion of the Line Assemblies sub-section for commercial and passenger vehicles 2004 Founding of VOSS Automotive Polska, Poland 2 Milestones in the history of VOSS
Experience plus ideas Products and new product ideas for line and connection technology have made VOSS a recognized system partner in international vehicle manufacturing and mechanical engineering industries. For many years now, the company targets include aspects such as easy assembly and service friendliness, as well as zero-defect handling. Today the system related development work extends right up to comprehensive analyses of vehicles as well as of machines and installations. The customer subsequently knows his or her optimisation capabilities in line and connection technology. These become useful in respect of weight, construction space, part variety and above all in process and component costs. System partner VOSS also introduces the concept of Experience plus ideas to the relevant new fields of development. A good example of this is the connection and line concept for air suspension in cars. The development projects to be found on page 6 of this company presentation reach further into the future. Today VOSS Fluid offers one of the most extensive programs for solving tube coupling jobs in hydraulics. Advantages are offered to the user in mobile and stationary hydraulics resulting especially from customer specific developments and a comprehensive logistics concept. VOSS can and wants to work actively in close partnership on all current and future developments with the vehicle manufacturing and mechanical engineering industries. Hans Hermann Voss Opening words 3
VOSS in numbers For over 50 years, the name VOSS has stood for quality and innovation in line and connection technology. Target markets are the international vehicle manufacturing and mechanical engineering industries. As an SME company group, VOSS is organised into two independent companies with foreign subsidiaries for their corresponding target markets. Turnover in mill Employees 150 125 100 75 50 25 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 1000 900 800 700 600 500 Important numbers 2004 159 152 50 9% Active, awarded protective property rights Technicians and engineers of total employees Trainees Investment quota Year for year, VOSS is investing considerably more than the average industrial quota in maintaining and expanding modern manufacturing facilities. 4 VOSS in numbers
VOSS Holding Directing company strategies The fundamental task of VOSS Holding is to strategically direct the company group. This includes supportive and advisory, external expert knowledge which is focused into advisory boards made up of renowned representatives from application industries. VOSS Holding takes responsibility for the financial control and coordination of its subsidiary companies VOSS Automotive, VOSS Fluid and VOSS Immobilien (Real Estate). VOSS Holding GmbH + Co. KG VOSS Automotive GmbH VOSS Automotive Ltda. Brazil VOSS Automotive Inc. USA VOSS (UK) Ltd. Great Britain VOSS Fluid GmbH + Co. KG VOSS S.A. Spain Ets. VOSS S.A.R.L. Distribution France VOSS S.p.A. Italy VOSS Automotive Polska Poland VOSS Türk Turkey VOSS Holding is an umbrella for two strategic companies which each independently work the target markets for vehicle manufacturing and mechanical engineering industries. Forschungsgesellschaft Kraftfahrwesen mbh [Research society for motoring science] Aachen, 26 % One of the central strategic goals is the internationalisation of the VOSS group. VOSS Brazil VOSS Holding 5
VOSS Automotive Image and references VOSS Automotive has profiled itself as an internationally sought-after systems partner in the automobile industry with innovative product ideas for line and connection technology. The developments extend beyond individual products or modules. As a creative engineering service provider, VOSS Automotive takes over complete job packets from line integration and documentation up to logistics and assembly in situ. VOSS Automotive also brings its competency to bear in developing new technologies taking it right up to series maturity. Among other things, this includes direct hydrogen propulsion, fuel cell technology, CO 2 airconditioning technology and SCR technology for exhaust after-treatment on commercial vehicles. The circle of customers including the international automobile industry and large automotive system manufacturers honours the outstandingly high level of efficiency in VOSS products and services with long-term loyalty. Partner for line and connection systems in the international automotive industry VOSS products VOSS services VOSS areas of application Connection technology Lines Line integration Documentation Pneumatics Hydraulics VOSS Automotive delivers qualitatively high value products, offers extensive technical services and is a development partner in new vehicle technologies. Valves Modules Logistics On-site assembly Fuel New technologies* *e.g. hydrogen propulsion, fuel cells and CO 2 air-conditioning 6 VOSS Automotive
VOSS Automotive Consistent quality management A consistent quality policy is a central component of the VOSS company strategy. All customers can rely on the consistently high level of quality. This concept is realised by committed and independently acting employees who cooperate in a process oriented way in an efficient organisation. In this way, the development of future vehicle generations right up to market maturity were and are being expedited in close cooperation with the customer. The primary goal remains vehicle optimisation while strictly observing economic customer utilization. VOSS Automotive quality management is documented in all the requisite certification and licensing systems of pertinent associations and professional bodies. Quality Award DIN ISO DIN EN ISO 14001 The quality polices of VOSS Automotive are marked by four basic principles. Employee motivation and promotion Efficient organisation, ongoing improvement of processes and procedures The correct products (innovations) Proximity to the market and to customers Another honour was awarded VOSS Automotive on June 8, 2004 with the Trucknology Supplier 2003 as one of the 10 best suppliers of MAN. VOSS Automotive 7
VOSS Automotive Innovative development partner with the automobile industry Cooperation with institutes Kunde Extensive tests...... in our own laboratory Fast prototype construction 8 VOSS Automotive
Creative team work What does the market expect tomorrow? Trendsetting solutions at the right time with the greatest customer utilization. VOSS Automotive introduces innovative ideas into product development in agreement with its customers. Modern, process oriented project management ensures quick development of and reaction times for prototypes. Job specifications and design implementation are continuously aligned against permanent quality criteria also in our own test laboratory. Weak points are identified and removed. There is an additional influx of knowledge resulting from cooperative work with technical colleges, universities and professional institutes. Newest development software All competencies are united in one team with a clear division of labour. In this way objectives are achieved with the aid of the newest development software. Modern development tools VOSS Automotive is an experienced and innovatively strong development partner with the automobile industry. Tailor-made solutions are produced as a team. Creative development competency and speed VOSS Automotive 9
VOSS Automotive From trial and prototype workshop... Depending on the job, workshop and system specialists from VOSS Automotive act both for the customer and together with the customer. The target is always the best technical and economical solution for line and connection technology both in function and production. Since 2001, a highly qualified team has been analysing the existing connection and line technology directly on complete commercial vehicles or cars in our own trial and prototype workshop. Savings potential using the example of an optimisation concept already carried out Total costs 20% Qualified personnel and workshop equipment Optimisation The aim of cost reduction, by utilizing all capabilities, applies for assembly times, line installation, and weight or part variety. The customer receives concrete suggestions for optimisation including documentation and sample installation or clear suggestions for new products. Assembly time 40% Weight 50% Item number 47% Vehicle analyses System competency 10 VOSS Automotive before after
... to customer oriented complete solutions VOSS Automotive intensively maintains the development work conducted together with the customer. VOSS sales engineers already look after customers during the predevelopment stage. This ensures that the entire range of capacities with the highest level of flexibility flows into customer oriented complete solutions. The collaborative development work creates proximity to markets and customers with whom VOSS Automotive can and wants to grow. Partnership with customers is guaranteed internationally by VOSS foreign subsidiaries. They are responsible for sales, technical support and partly also for individual production stages. Tube and hose assemblies Multi connectors for brakes and auxiliaries Automatic assembly device for a coupling element of system 232 Fuel connections VOSS has developed a plastic variant for the brass distributor, which has been available up to now, as an example of a customer oriented solution. Multi connectors with pneumatic and electrical line VOSS Automotive 11
VOSS Fluid Profile and performances VOSS Fluid ranks among internationally leading suppliers of hydraulic connection technology in stationary and mobile area. VOSS Fluid combines the wide product range of complete solutions with individual solutions for mechanical and plant engineering. System optimisation stretches across the entire product cycle of a hydraulic system. VOSS Fluid accompanies the hydraulics user as a system partner from the development stage, through prototype construction and series manufacturing right up to the re-design phase. Partner for line and connection technology in fluid systems for international mechanical and plant engineering industries VOSS products VOSS services VOSS areas of application VOSS Fluid offers one of the most extensive product ranges and a wide spectrum of services for hydraulic connection technology in stationary and mobile application areas. Connection technology Lines Valves Assembling devices Program supplements* *e.g. pressure switches, measuring technology, etc. Logistics Documentation Training System optimisation Stationary hydraulics Mobile hydraulics Rail technology Ship / Off-shore technology Energy technology 12 VOSS Fluid
VOSS Fluid Applications and markets VOSS Fluid has system competency for line and connection technology that extends over several industries. As a result of experience gained over many years, nearly all application areas can be covered from the classic hydraulic press to modern railway vehicles, from construction machinery to off-shore applications. For many years now, renowned mechanical and plant engineers from various application industries have trusted in their collaboration with VOSS Fluid. Construction machinery Plastics processing Wind energy farms Agricultural technology Metal forming Railway technology With its wide product program and high system competency, VOSS Fluid is your onestop shop for the entire range of connection technology for every application, whether stationary or mobile. VOSS Fluid 13
VOSS Fluid Innovations in close cooperation with customers VOSS Fluid makes close working relations with the customer an absolute priority. A worldwide expanding network of subsidiaries and sales partners guarantees optimal availability not just for all standard parts. One focal point lies in the development of customer related system solutions, starting with project work. VOSS can access its own development centre for other engineering services. VOSS Fluid introduces the requisite technical competency directly to the customer for example, in prototype assembly or in procedures for series manufacturing. If necessary, logistical support will even be available directly on the customer s assembly lines. For many years now, this form of intense customer collaboration ensures VOSS Fluid the highest level of acceptance, enabling economical optimum solutions. Furthermore, VOSS Fluid is consistently expanding product development. This sees a systematic influx of customer requirements for e.g. fewer components or less weight, complete freedom from leaks or simple assembly. In this way, the standard products of tomorrow arise from the innovative solutions of today. Product advice Development partnership VOSS Fluid optimises the layout of hydraulic connections in close cooperation with customers. This frequently results in the standard products of tomorrow. Application competency VOSS development centre 14 VOSS Fluid
Ongoing development VOSS Fluid has a wide product program. Furthermore, customers are offered all the prerequisites needed for receiving or optimising system solutions tailor-made for their needs. Individual logistics solutions e.g. Kanban Function integration Wide product program VOSS Fluid 15
VOSS Fluid Optimally designed line and connection technology Economical line and connection technology in hydraulic systems demands that standard parts are employed optimally. The engineers at VOSS Fluid develop permanent improvement capacities whether it is a cutting ring fitting, soft seal connection or flared fitting, flange connection or quick connect system. Each customer specific solution benefits from this, as well as the entire product development stage. One example is function integration e.g. the valve function integrated directly in the screwed fitting. System costs are appreciably reduced because the assembly expenditure is lower for the customer. ES-4 tube coupling 2S tube coupling Non-return valve 10 flared fitting ZAKO flange coupling Hydraulic quick connect system SV-150 VOSSForm SQR tube coupling 16 VOSS Fluid As a leader in technology, VOSS Fluid offers a product program which undergoes constant development and innovative system solutions.
VOSS Fluid Flexible in production and logistics Flexibility, speed and reliability require clear structures in production. To achieve this, VOSS Fluid implements state of the art concepts such as, for example, establishing sub-sections in production, TQM and group work. Economical production costs with higher product individuality are achieved together with equally modern manufacturing technologies. Apart from this, VOSS Fluid is constantly investing in more efficient logistics processes and, as a result of this, has developed into a leading full service Kanban provider in the tube coupling industry. Automated product assembly Quality assurance at all manufacturing stages Use of state of the art manufacturing technologies Efficient logistics processes Beyond product innovation, VOSS Fluid also implements new production and logistical concepts, such as Kanban. VOSS Fluid 17
People at VOSS Motivated and qualified employees ensure the future of a company. VOSS is therefore strongly committed to systematic training thereby creating the basis for efficient handling of modern technologies. Teams are equipped to process suggestions for constant process optimisation stemming from the understanding that it is the customer who is the actual employer. VOSS also understands the promotion of employees as a traditional form of commitment to the local environment. Constructive working environment at VOSS: Common goals and mutual respect Tradition at VOSS: Vocational training for young people Assisted by its employees, VOSS is developing a new company culture and structure which promotes individual commitment. This is decisive with regard to awards in personnel management at the nationwide benchmarking project TOP JOB Top employer in German SME 2003. Promoting and supporting employees is given great importance at VOSS and is seen as a meaningful investment in the performance capacity of the company group. Employee orientation shows social responsibility and creates the basis for the daily realisation of customer orientation. 18 People at VOSS
Environmental policies of the VOSS group The companies of the VOSS group Germany pursue the goal of constantly improving environmental protection. The main theme established in this respect contains the following points: The management levels in the VOSS group Germany view environmental protection as an important component of running the company and as a foundation for long term company success. VOSS employees at all levels in the company are included in efforts to protect the environment and to continuously reduce environmental burdens; and they support their environmental awareness with training sessions and other activities. Regarding new developments products and processes VOSS assesses their effect on the environment with the aim of achieving a minimised level of environmental pollution. The effect of activities on the local environment are monitored and evaluated regularly. If environmental pollution cannot be avoided then it is one of the explicit company aims to reduce emissions by measures for continuous improvement. For the implementation of this policy, established procedures and specifications regulate the relevant technical and organisational procedures in the company. VOSS constantly reports on and evaluates the current requirements of environmental protection in close cooperation with the authorities and with customers. This forms the basis for all activities for the ongoing reduction of existing environmental burdens and for compliance with legal directives. There is always information about the current status of environmentally related performances available to the public and all interested parties and organisations. VOSS also influences its contractual partners to apply the same standards as VOSS. Environmental awareness and protection are important components in running a company in close cooperation with employees, the public and authorities. Environmental policies 19
VOSS Automotive GmbH P. O. Box 15 40 D-51679 Wipperfürth Leiersmühle 2-6 D-51688 Wipperfürth Telephone: +49 2267 63-0 Fax: +49 2267 63-5982 automotive@voss.de www.voss.de VOSS Fluid GmbH + Co. KG P. O. Box 15 40 D-51679 Wipperfürth Lüdenscheider Str. 52-54 D-51688 Wipperfürth Telephone: +49 2267 63-0 Fax: +49 2267 63-5601 fluid@voss.de www.voss.de VOSS Immobilien + Service GmbH + Co. KG P. O. Box 15 40 D-51679 Wipperfürth Lüdenscheider Str. 52-54 D-51688 Wipperfürth Telephone: +49 2267 63-0 Fax: +49 2267 63-5983
VOSS Holding GmbH + Co. KG P. O. Box 15 40 D-51679 Wipperfürth Leiersmühle 2-6 D-51688 Wipperfürth Telephone: +49 2267 63-0 Fax: +49 2267 63-5018 holding@voss.de www.voss.de 9172002010/0409/01/03.0/13