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Into a new Technological Future<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
To underpin this new structure, FST has entrusted the technical directors in its divisions with new tasks and assigned them additional responsibilities. Their job is to strategically develop FST\u2019s product portfolio, drive innovative solutions, and lead FST technology into a stable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Part of the mission is to set generally applicable operational and technological standards for FST. Everyone benefits when collaboration reaches beyond one\u2019s immediate circle. The goal is to share experience and learn from the best. \u201cFor some divisions, a lot of things are suddenly different and new. Until recently, FST experts knew down to the smallest detail what their customers needed, knew the applications and requirements. Suddenly, new factors have come into play. Today, even our customers sometimes don\u2019t exactly know what they will need in the future,\u201d explains \u00adEspinoza. who is technical director of the Powertrain & Driveline Division. \u201cThe divisions have to learn about new applications, develop new products and materials for them, and manufacture them with new technologies. If you want to be successful in the market under these circumstances, you can\u2019t afford to make many mistakes \u2013 even though the work often has to be done quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, P&D is working on thermal \u00adbarriers, to cite just one of its developments. These products help to slow thermal runaway in lithium ion batteries. In the event of a fire, they give the occupants more time to escape the vehicle. An incubator team is now taking this innovation to market. \u201cWe have to keep in mind during development, what technological challenges might arise later in the production of an innovation. This enables us to avoid expensive and cost-intensive adaptations. At the same time, we can ideally design the processes in terms of continuous improvement right from the start. That\u2019s why we have to coordinate on an interdisciplinary basis and define new standards,\u201d explains Espinoza. The key is operational excellence from the start, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has the dual responsibility of maintaining the existing \u201ccash cow business\u201d on the one hand, and building up new business on the other. This \u201chybrid mode\u201d of old and new, of past, present, and future, is very demanding. It requires the regular sharing of views and information among colleagues within the division, as well as a network beyond its boundaries. New cross-divisional exchanges involving technical directors and R&D leaders have been in place since July. Dr. Matthias Sckuhr, FST\u2019s COO and CTO, heads the program.<\/p>\n