The body shop specialist thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions from Heilbronn is cooperating with the local start-up, uready

• Assembly service for innovative e-trike

• Trainees take over small batch production

• Learning cooperation with companies from the region is an integral part of the training program
  

thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions is launching a collaboration with the sporting goods start-up uready from Untereisesheim near Heilbronn. The body shop company will take over the assembly of a first small series of an e-trike developed by uready. This is an electrically powered road vehicle, comparable to an e-scooter, but on three wheels. The assembly of the innovative sports equipment is being carried out by thyssenkrupp apprentices at the Heilbronn site.

"We are very happy to support the assembly of this e-trike. This is a great project with real practical relevance for our budding industrial mechanics, mechatronics technicians and electronics engineers. They will also come into contact with a start-up company from the region and learn about ways of thinking and requirements that they are not familiar with from their previous working environment," explains Felix Bader, Managing Director Human Resources at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions. At this year's Trainee Parents' Day in the summer, the trainees were able to test drive prototypes of the e-trike. The sports equipment consists of over 90 individual parts. The assembly and wiring of such an e-trike in the training workshop takes about two days. "The innovative product is great fun not only to assemble but also to drive," reports Thilo Röber, group leader for training at thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions in Heilbronn.

Oguzhan Albayrak, owner of the sporting goods manufacturer uready: "For me as a founder and product developer, it is of great benefit to be able to draw on thyssenkrupp's industrial know-how and assembly equipment. It is the first step for us from a cottage industry to industrial production. The first small series initially comprises forty vehicles, five of which will be produced in the first batch. But I'm sure we can ramp up unit production quickly."

The e-trike developed by uready has very special driving dynamics. It is extremely nimble, easy to maneuver and thus makes for enormous driving fun. The vehicle is equipped with a 250 watt electric motor. The battery capacity is enough for over 70 kilometers. The e-trike reaches a speed of 20 kilometers per hour and is approved for road use.

"The contact with uready came about through the Heilbronn Economic Development Agency. The colleagues there know that we always specifically incorporate such learning collaborations into our training. In this way, we want to give our trainees exciting insights into other companies and industries and further increase the attractiveness of our training program," says Bader.

There are currently 45 trainees and students in Heilbronn undergoing in-company or dual training. Around 15 new trainees are taken on each year. The range of apprenticeships and fields of study is wide. It includes training as an industrial mechanic, mechatronics technician, electronics technician for industrial engineering, machine and plant operator, industrial clerk as well as courses of study such as the Bachelor of Engineering in mechanical engineering or mechatronics as well as industrial engineering in international technical project management, and the Bachelor of Arts in business administration-industry.

About thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions

thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions is an integrated body shop specialist. The product and service portfolio ranges from prototype, tool and plant construction to series production of body components. The company has five development and production sites in Germany, and a further six abroad. In total, thyssenkrupp Automotive Body Solutions currently employs 2,200 people worldwide. The business unit is part of the automotive supply and service segment (Automotive Technology) of the thyssenkrupp group. In the last fiscal year, this segment generated sales of 4.5 billion euros.