read - Scherdel GmbH

Scherdel
Progress
based on
tradition
Having maintained
a presence in
the automotive
industry
for several
generations,
Scherdel GmbH
is continuing
to embrace
opportunities
across other
industries
Since its foundation in Bavaria in 1890,
Scherdel GmbH has demonstrated a heritage built on
progression and innovation, having acknowledged
the widespread emphasis on new technologies as
a key driver for growth. Having taken its first step
into the automotive sector with the supply of valve
springs for the first diesel engine, Scherdel is now
recognised as a global supplier to the industry, and the
European market leader for the manufacture of valve
springs as well as the world market leader in the field
of spring elements for piston rings. With a presence
in 29 locations worldwide, today Scherdel remains
family-run and is operated under a third and fourth
generation management team from its headquarters
in Marktredwitz, Germany.
Head of purchasing and materials management,
Olaf Korf explains: “Our core business is technical
spring manufacture and metal forming through
processes such as stamping and bending as well as
the assembly of seating structures for vehicle interiors.
Approximately 80 to 90 per cent of our activity is within
the automotive sector, where we supply all European
OEMs including VW Group, BMW Group and Daimler as
well as tier one suppliers like Bosch, Johnson Controls,
Schaeffler TRW and ZF.”
In terms of the characteristics that have enabled the
business to achieve this position, Olaf comments: “It’s
the development, innovation and complete process
that we offer our client. As part of this we work closely
with our suppliers on the development of new kind
of wires and other materials, which then is directly
linked to our research and development activities.
Again, this informs our production processes where we
create in-house tools for our stamping and bending
machines, as well as surface treatment services, and
finally we also offer a suitable logistics solution to
clients. Effectively, we are able to provide the whole
value added chain from initial concept to final delivery
service to our clients.”
As well as contributing to the continued
development of the business, Scherdel’s supply
chain is a vital aspect of its delivery to customers: “It
is very important to have a strong supply chain, as
the demands of the automotive industry are so high.
Additionally, it is essential that we work alongside
suppliers that have a global presence, so that we are
able to continue to offer a localised service to our
entire international client base,” says Olaf.
“We also manufacture machinery for our own
purposes, as well as for the wider market under our
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Rockwell Automation
Co. ITAYA, as a leading manufacturer of
spring making machines in Tokyo, has a
wide clientele in Europe especially in the
automotive as well as in the electrical/
electronic industry.
For more than 30 years ITAYA has supplied
spring makers worldwide with extremely
reliable, CNC-controlled spring-making
machinery. The highest precision and
productivity of its machines are the most
important criteria for ITAYA. Mechanics
and CNC-control (hard- and software) are
developed and produced by ITAYA and can
be optimally harmonised to the needs of
the user.
The machines work from 0.03mm up to
6.00mm wire size. Bending parts, extension-,
compression- and torsion springs up to
highly complicated spring elements can be
completed and evaluated.
ITAYA has two agencies in Germany and
England. One of the most important
customers in the field of the automotive
industry is the SCHERDEL Group, which
has used ITAYA machines successfully in all
important business areas for many years.
own brand,” he continues. “Within this area we are
also working to instigate greater automation, both
in-house and in our product range through specialist
machines for production and assembly.” This includes
semi-automatic assembly workstations, handling
equipment, and fully automated fabrication, assembly
and testing equipment.
One particular specialisation of the business is the
valve spring – an area Scherdel has been involved in
since 1893. These components, which are extremely
highly stressed, are experiencing increasingly
severe demands for ever-increasing quality due
to the automotive industry’s constantly growing
pressure for optimisation. Therefore the latest
design methods, dynamic pre-calculation and highperformance
measurement and testing technologies
are incorporated to ensure that each component
conforms to customer specification.
In this respect, the demand profile of a new valve
spring is always produced in close agreement with the
customer. This includes cinematic observation
of the valve train to establish load levels, and the static
design of the spring. Furthermore, improvement
of material surface can extend service intervals,
and the use of high-value materials and innovative
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Scherdel
processes results in products of the highest quality and
maximum reliability.
These capabilities alongside Scherdel’s strong cooperative
relationship with the automotive industry
means that the business is positioned at the forefront
of new innovative car concepts. Within this scope,
Scherdel is able to bring its wealth of expertise to
help solve client problems through a whole range of
engineering springs, as well as stamping, bending and
assembly parts. The company’s technical competency
also enables it to supply clients with capable and costoptimised
prototype and small component runs.
Although Scherdel is developing constantly as a
company, it is not merely concentrating on investing
in its product portfolio. “As well as our activities in
the automotive industry, we also continue to identify
new market opportunities for the business – both
geographical and field of application,” explains
Olaf. “Notably, this includes medical and energy
applications and the growing electric mobility sector.
In turn, this has required us to expand our capabilities
to new material, such as copper based alloys, and new
processes to treat this material, such as increased laser
applications.
“Over the last three years we have invested
around six per cent of our turnover in machinery,
infrastructure, and technology. This was in line with
our strategy to continue to develop within Europe,
particularly in Germany, as well as developing further
markets overseas like the US, Brazil, Mexico and China.
In late 2010 we established a new plant in Russia, and
are currently completing expansions in the NAFTA
region. As a business, we strive to be able to support
our clients through a local presence, and therefore are
looking at various opportunities within India from next
year,” he adds.
This increased diversification is at the heart of
Scherdel’s future progression strategy, however the
business remains vigilant of the ongoing challenges
in the market. Key considerations are the ongoing
economic difficulties within southern Europe, as well as
the volatility of raw materials. However, Scherdel
seems confident in its capability to continue in its
tradition of delivering components that exceed
industry criteria: “Continuing to develop new
global markets is very important to the business,”
concludes Olaf. “But beyond that, we believe that
it is critical that we maintain the flexibility and
independence of a medium-sized family owned
company, as it is these qualities that give us the power
to develop in the market and follow the demands of
our customers.”
Scherdel GmbH
www. scherdel.de
Employees 3600
Products Technical springs, machine
and tool construction
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