Andreas Heine: What is the timetable for Europe, when will which plant start up again?

Stefan Leitzgen: The first plants restarted last week, others will follow this week and the last hopefully from 11 May. However, we often work in single shifts at the beginning and not even on all plants and over the whole week. For example, we will start in Attendorn this week on a shift with 25 employees, normally about 120.     

Andreas Heine: They say that the development in North America is a good two weeks behind. Does that also apply to the restart in Canada, USA and Mexico?

Stefan Leitzgen: In general, that is the case. The complete lock down in all three countries will continue until at least May 10th, in Mexico even until the end of the month. But even these dates change almost daily. With very few exceptions, none of our customers are planning to restart before 11 May.

Andreas Heine: How much of our capacity will the customers call up? Are the strategies for ramping up the automotive plants similar or completely different?

Stefan Leitzgen: We expect a maximum of 50% of normal sales in Europe in May, and that is already an optimistic scenario. In North America, we expect sales to be significantly lower. Basically, all OEMs are planning similarly. They all start with one shift and then increase their production week by week. Often the assembly lines run slower than before the crisis because fewer employees are used. The speed of ramp-up varies from manufacturer to manufacturer.  

Andreas Heine: Are we well prepared for the restart everywhere or are there still special challenges?

Stefan Leitzgen: All plants must carry out a "Return to Work" audit. This is how we check whether all Covid19 precautionary measures have been implemented. And every employee worldwide receives training in which the plant-specific measures are explained. Yes, I am convinced we are very well prepared. 

Andreas Heine: Will our new binding instructions for dealing with each other in the plant be accepted in times of Corona and will they be implemented where employees are already working?

Stefan Leitzgen: Our Covid19 protective measures will also be implemented in the plants where employees are already working. Of course not everything is running smoothly yet, but it is working. There is occasional criticism, for example for the closure of the changing rooms. But there are also employees who have thanked us for our prudent approach. 

Andreas Heine: Are there any projections as to how badly the shutdown has affected us as a company and what impact it will have on our annual results?

Stefan Leitzgen: There is an initial forecast for the period from January to the end of June. The figures are very sobering. However, it is still far too early to make a forecast for the entire year. But one thing is already completely clear today: we will have to tighten our belts considerably.

Andreas Heine: At present it is difficult to bear the many crisis reports every day. Is there anything that could cheer us up a bit, give us hope for the future?

Stefan Leitzgen: Yes, our management colleague in Romania has become a father for the third time.

Andreas Heine: That are definitely good news, congratulations from me as well.

The production hall for complex assemblies and logistics was expanded by 2,350 m². The expanded welding area mainly accommodates spot and MAG welding systems. The total hall area is thus 7,100 m²; if the loading road (a 17 m wide roof for loading and unloading the trucks) is added, the total area is even 8,400 m².

The office space has also been expanded. New changing rooms, an open-plan office and a new, flexibly usable meeting room have been created on 420 m².

The Gniezno location was newly established in 2015. The geographical location close to the VW plants Września and Poznan as well as the attractive job market were the decisive criteria for this decision.

After the test drive with the ROTOPRESS BLUEPOWER, FAUN's refuse collection vehicle powered by hydrogen fuel cells, McAllister said: "So nice and quiet. FAUN has developed the battery hydrogen drive system ready for series production and is building 22 of these emission-free vehicles this year. The basis is a Mercedes Benz Econic as a glider, in which battery packs, fuel cells and hydrogen tanks are installed instead of the combustion engine and exhaust system. The vehicles will be assembled according to the area of application. Hydrogen is an ideal carrier, the medium is light and has a high density, so that longer operating times are no problem.

For FAUN hydrogen is the only reasonable drive system. Only in this way is a closed energy cycle possible. With the BLUEPOWER vehicles, FAUN provides companies with one hundred percent electric and emission-free refuse collection vehicles and sweepers. Noise emissions are also marginal, as all units have been optimized for quiet and energy-efficient operation. The electrical energy produced by the fuel cells from hydrogen is not only used for driving, but also for all body functions.

Domestic waste collection is stopped frequently, in densely populated areas every few meters. With conventional chassis, a lot of energy is converted into heat that cannot be used any further at the brakes, and BLUEPOWER vehicles store this energy in the batteries for later use. This means that a BLUEPOWER vehicle requires up to 40% less energy, is CO2 and NOx-free, and emits less particulate matter. FAUN is thus making a valuable contribution to the hot topic of climate protection.

Picture: Looking to the future, (from left): Matthias Kohlmann (CFO FAUN Group and President of the Stade Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Elbe Weser region), Torsten Rohde (Mayor Osterholz-Scharmbeck), Thorsten Baumeister (COO FAUN Group), Bernd Lütjen (District Administrator Osterholz), Hans-Dieter von Friedrichs (District Director a.D.), Burkard Oppmann (Managing Director FAUN Services GmbH), David McAllister, Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff (Managing Partner KIRCHHOFF Group), Patrick Hermanspann (CEO FAUN Group)

The press is the first servo transfer press of our company in North America, which can produce both over blanks and over a conveyor belt system. This provides greater flexibility for the use of this state-of-the-art press technology. In particular, the efficient use of materials was an important decision criterion here.

The press was delivered in September, and the first strokes could still be carried out in December. In addition to the relocation of a large number of forming tools to the new servo transfer press, the focus is now on employee training.

The main memorial service held in the Oberste Stadtkirche church was broadcasted live on a screen to the Bauernkirche church. At both locations, the ceremonies were well attended. Not only employees of the two German plants in Attendorn and Iserlohn attended the memorial service, but also colleagues from many European plants. Apart from employees, there were guests from society, politics, culture, and representatives of the North Rhine-Westphalia German state government and the presidents of the German Employers' and Metalworkers' Associations.

The life of Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff was marked by creativity, humor, sportsmanship, love of music, people, and especially love for his family. It was fitting then that his family arranged the memorial service for him. Music was one of his greatest passions. Outstanding artists such as the Folkwang Kammerorchester Essen orchestra, guitarist Dale Kavanagh, violinist Moritz Ter Nedden and the Märkische Motettenkreis Iserlohn choir, performed works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, and Samuel Barber. Pastor Jürgen Löprich delivered the sermon at the memorial service, Dr. Johannes F. Kirchhoff delivered the personal address of the family, and the grandchildren gave their own statements for their grandfather.

After the ceremony, the Kirchhoff family held a reception at the Schauburg hall in Iserlohn. A series of pictures shown at the reception, exhibited numerous impressions from the private and professional life of Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff.

On the day of the memorial service, a minute of silence was held for Dr.-Ing. Jochen F. Kirchhoff in many places across the company.