POWERTRAIN OFFENSIVE
Opel is investing in the powertrains of the future. 210 million euro have been allocated to the new, ultra-modern powertrain center currently being built in Rüsselsheim where efficient drive systems will be developed and tested. Construction is going exactly to plan: The topping-out ceremony took place on May 28, 2015, the center will be inaugurated in 2017.
No plaster, no blisters. Not even a scratch. These really do not look like hands that have built the shell of the new powertrain center from 12,000 of concrete and 1,200 tons of steel. “Well, we obviously wear working gloves,” says foreman Sascha Göbel succinctly. But the workers wear more than just gloves. The shell of the new powertrain center in Rüsselsheim has taken 180,000 working hours and nine months to erect. “We are on time and on Budget. However, our biggest success is that we have not had a single work-related accident,” emphasizes Derek Williams, Global Facility project manager of the euro 210 million construction. He knows that luck has nothing to do with this. Instead the perfect record is based on detailed planning, good equipment, countless training courses and constant briefings.
Not even a scratch: This is what hands on a construction site look like when safety comes first.
SOMEBODY WHO LOVES HIS JOB
During his career with Opel / Vauxhall, English-born Williams has been a key players in the construction of 18 paint shops – from Eisenach via Luton to Gliwice. And now he is involved the building of the new powertrain center. And it may well be his last project. “I will turn 64 next Tuesday. When this project is over in 2017, my career will also be coming to end,” said Williams. Well, at least theoretically. Because when he talks about how fine-pored concrete was turned into supports for the powertrain center that look as if they were made from finest marble, his eyes light up and it is hard to imagine this project being his last. When he gives a detailed explanation on the small but important differences of the LED lights in the offices it becomes crystal clear – this a man who truly loves his job.
The topping-out wreath is pulled to the top of the building.
Greetings from the topping-out ceremony: Florian Kunz from the shell company Leonhard Weiss, foreman Sascha Göbel and Opel project manager Derek Williams.
The construction workers celebrate the completion of the shell.
„The building is full of high-tech from the bottom to the top.“
Armin Baurmann, project leader ME Powertrain
In accordance with the tradition of the carpenters, Opel celebrated the topping-out ceremony marking the completion of the shell of the seven-storey workshop and office complex last Thursday with numerous media representatives in attendance. The ceremony was also attended by Opel Group CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Head of the Works Council Dr. Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug and GM’s highest powertrain developer Dan Nicholson, Vice President Global Powertrain. Patrick Burghardt, lord mayor of Rüsselsheim, was also among the guests.
Derek Williams has been involved in the project ever since it was approved in May 2013. He knows every details. “The workshop and office building will be fitted with work stations of the latest standards,” he reveals. The wishes of the employees collected in the “Workplace of Choice” survey were taking into consideration. “We are looking at an open plan concept but they will also be numerous possibilities to retreat,” he says with an eye on the drawings. “There will be meeting rooms on each floor – sometimes locked and soundproof but also entirely open.” The blueprints also reveal some further subtleties:
telephone boxes that offer the possibility to retreat or work benches where people can assemble a cable harness for example.
Peek into the shell: The second floor of the seven-storey will house the canteen.
The regular seats (left) can be shared with colleagues people already know whereas the chairs on the right provide the opportunity to meet new colleagues.
The three wing will house a total of 43 performance test benches of the latest generation. The site is embedded in the global engineering network of the GM Powertrain Organization. Due to internationally synchronized test methods and software, findings can be optimally analyzed and implemented.
Videocast #21 Karl-Thomas Neumann
The main intention of the new center is to develop and test new efficient powertrain systems. “The building is full of high tech,” said Armin Baurmann. While Derek Williams and his colleague Michael Löffler know every detail, Baurmann, project leader Powertrain, has a full overview of the timing, budget and work that needs completing. “A powertrain project of this magnitude only happens once every 20 or 30 years. It is a huge privilege to be part of it,” says Baurmann.
SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE HIGH-TECH FACILITIES
Presently, the performance test benches are spread across the Rüsselsheim plant. “We will bundle our entire know-how in the new center,” emphasizes Baurmann before giving a sneak preview into the high-tech facilities in the 43 test benches that will be integrated in all three wings of the building. “The centerpiece of each wing will be a so-called setup area. All of the engine are mounted on pallets and prepared for testing. With the help of an air cushion, we then move the pallet into one of the six by nine meter cells – and the test can start.” As the engines are prepared outside of the cells the cells themselves can be used optimally. The concept of the powertrain center is similar to the concept used for the Pontiac Center (USA). “The testing methods and the software will be so closely aligned that we will be able to evaluate and implement the results much better on a global scale,” stresses Baurmann. Dan Nicholson, Vice President Global Powertrain, pointed out that GM chose Rüsselsheim for a very specific reason. “This is where responsibility for small and medium-sized gasoline engines lies. It recognizes the performance and the know-how of our highly qualified Opel engineers.”
Statements from the topping-our ceremony:
← “The negotiations on the Opel collective agreement were the basis for the decision to invest in the new powertrain center here in Rüsselsheim. It secures and extends employment in the development center. I am therefore particularly happy to be at the topping-out ceremony of the building today.”
Wolfgang Schäfer-Klug, Head of the Works Council
→ “The powertrain center is an extremely important strategic company investment. GM decided on building this center in Rüsselsheim for a very good reason – this is where responsibility for small and medium-sized gasoline engines lies. It recognizes the performance and the know-how of our highly qualified Opel engineers.”
Dan Nicholson, GM Vice President Global Powertrain
← “We take our responsibility for the climate and environment seriously and are on track to meeting the CO2 target set for 2020. The new powertrain center will make our work even more efficient. It will not only strengthen Rüsselsheim but also the entire GM development network and it ensures that Opel will remain at the forefront of clean propulsion.”
Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel Group CEO
→ “The new powertrain center will further strengthen the outstanding importance of the International Technical Development Center for the Rüsselsheim site and Opel’s considerable research and development competence. But also beyond this, Rüsselsheim is synonymous for innovative technologies and forward-looking concepts.”
Patrick Burghardt, Lord Mayor of Rüsselsheim
