Pioneering innovation at the Mechatronic Competence Campus
In today’s dynamic landscape, characterized by digitalization, sustainability imperatives, and the challenges of Industry 4.0, machine manufacturers face relentless pressure to deliver cutting-edge solutions amidst ever-shortening product life cycles. Lenze, cognizant of these demands, has strategically established its operational hub at the Mechatronic Competence Campus (MCC) in Extertal, Germany, integrating diverse production sites for geared motors, servo motors, and inverters. This cohesive ecosystem fosters customer-centricity and agility, fueling the rapid development of innovative products and solutions tailored to address present and future industry challenges. With an unprecedented investment exceeding 50 million euros, the MCC represents the company’s steadfast commitment to driving excellence and advancement in the realm of smart production.
Marking a journey that commenced in 2016 with meticulous planning and culminated in the realization of the MCC, Lenze now orchestrates a symphony of collaborative ideation among its employees. Christian Wendler, CEO of Lenze, articulates the significance of the MCC as a nexus for interdisciplinary collaboration, stating, “Here at the MCC, we synergize elements essential for innovation, empowering our teams to swiftly conceptualize and produce sophisticated mechatronic systems for our global clientele. Additionally, our automated high-bay warehouse underscores our commitment to optimizing logistics operations.” He further underscores the MCC’s pivotal role in Lenze’s overarching global growth strategy.
Babette Herbert, Lenze shareholder and descendant of the company’s founder, Hans Lenze, reflects on the profound historical significance of Extertal as a cornerstone of Lenze’s heritage. She expresses her sentiment, stating, “Extertal holds a special place in our hearts, being one of the earliest production sites. Witnessing the evolution of Lenze’s future right here evokes immense pride and gratitude.”
The Experience Center: a hub of technological innovation
Beyond its technological prowess, the Lenze Experience Center serves as a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, facilitating workshops, training sessions, and immersive experiences for both internal stakeholders and external visitors. Providing insights into production processes and hands-on interaction with products, the center embodies the commitment to fostering innovation and industry leadership. Central to its ethos is the Smart Factory, where engineering converges with energy-efficient solutions, digitalization, and connectivity, ushering in a new era of sustainable production practices.
A comprehensive portfolio overview
Visitors to the Experience Center receive a comprehensive overview of the Lenze portfolio, spanning from drive shafts to cloud-based solutions. Demonstrating the seamless integration of electromechanical products with advanced control systems and digital solutions, the center underscores the company’s dedication to empowering clients with efficient machine design and operational reliability through intelligent data analytics.
Logistics innovation
At the core of Lenze’s operational excellence lies trust in its products, exemplified by the integration of Lenze motors within its logistics complex. Leveraging data analytics within its high-bay warehouse, the automation specialist from Hameln pioneers optimization initiatives, enhancing system transparency and driving tangible energy savings. These endeavors translate into benefits for clients across sectors, empowering them to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency securely and sustainably..
MCC at a glance: facts and figures
- The MCC enables Lenze to increase its annual production capacity. In the future, around 150,000 geared motors, 200,000 servo motors, and, prospectively, 800,000 inverters will be manufactured in Extertal.
- The consolidation of three locations dissolves departmental boundaries, promotes collaboration in agile, interdisciplinary teams, and shortens coordination paths – creating modern working environments in the spirit of Industry 4.0. The relocation of the electronics assembly from Aerzen-Groß Berkel to Extertal also creates growth space at the Groß Berkel headquarters.
- The logistics complex with the 24-meter-high high-bay warehouse comprises the areas of incoming goods, warehouse, production supply, and shipping. Trucks can be dispatched at nine gates.
- The centerpiece is the ultra-modern high-bay warehouse. 300 Lenze motors are used in the drive technology. In total, there are 16,000 pallet spaces on 1,900 square meters and 15,000 containers on 400 square meters.
- In the “supermarket” for assembly, ten employees ensure that the right goods are taken from 3,500 storage spaces and brought to production or shipping.
- In the “Technikum,” everything revolves around innovation. Around 100 employees will develop products for the factory of the future here – in close connection with the production.
Through the MCC, Lenze embarks on a journey, redefining smart production and reaffirming its commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth.
