AVS Business Unit Europe

Silence. The most natural Type of Comfort.

Steinau, 25.5.2018. Following the opening of the administration building in 2015, Sumitomo Riko is now launching the construction of a new technology center in Steinau an der Straße.

With this, the world market leader for vibration control components underlines its strategic position vis-à-vis European car manufacturers and aligns its development activities even more closely with the requirements of new mobility concepts. “The automotive industry is currently undergoing tremendous technological change through the use of electric drives and autonomous driving,” said Tsutomu Matsuoka, Executive Managing Director of the Sumitomo Riko Group. The decisive factor is the opportunity to redesign a development center that is geared to the requirements of the customer. “The new Technology Center is an important milestone in our strategy of translating global innovation into tailored applications that support the challenges of European OEM customers in their global business.”

“With the new center, we will not only optimize the current development processes. At the same time we will create space for the development of new technologies, “explains Hiroaki Tanahashi, CTO of SumiRiko AVS Germany. This will also create test benches for systems that improve the ride comfort of electric vehicles. “We are already developing many components for new vehicle concepts, which will soon go into series production, and are now also rigorously aligning our development conditions with the new challenges,” says Olaf Hahn, Managing Director of SumiRiko AVS Germany and responsible for the AVS business Europe.

However, it is also pleasing that this investment of around 10 million euros is another commitment of the group to the Steinau location. The construction project will consist of an extension of the current administration building and a technology center and will comprise a total of 5,300 square meters of floor space. After the start of construction in April this year, a completion in spring 2019 is planned. As with the existing office building, SumiRiko has commissioned the construction company GOLDBECK with general planning and turnkey construction work.

Currently, the departments Development and Process Technology are still housed in a rented building. “Of course, the standards that were set during the construction of the administration building are also fully implemented in the new buildings. In this way, all employees benefit from the proven open and process-oriented building concept, “says Olaf Hahn.

The offices are spacious and bright, flooded with daylight through large windows and glass doors. Open, free communication islands offer the opportunity to exchange information “on the short service route”. Also innovative is the concept of communication technology, which allows a completely paperless work.

Since the takeover of the Anvis Group by Sumitomo Riko in 2013, the Group is pursuing the strategy of further expanding its worldwide leading role as a specialist for anti-vibration systems in the European market. The investment decision that has now been made is thus further confirmation of this strategic orientation.

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Editor:
SumiRiko AVS Germany GmbH
Karl-Winnacker-Str. 22a
36396 Steinau an der Straße
www.avs.sumiriko.com

Media contact:
Guido Stanovsky
Tel.: +49 6663 9128-121
Fax: +49 6663 9128-4121
Mobile: +49 151 1881 0714
PR(at)avs.sumiriko.com

About SumiRiko AVS
Whether engine, gearbox and chassis mounts or exhaust mounts and vibration absorbers, throughout the car parts of SumiRiko AVS (renamed Anvis Group) are installed. Main subject is the development of anti-vibration systems, so systems for decoupling of oscillating parts in vehicles. The group generates sales of over 300 million euros at 13 locations worldwide. Customers include above all leading automobile manufacturers such as the VW Group, BMW, Daimler, Renault-Nissan, or General Motors. However, the company’s expertise also flows into other sectors, such as the rail and aviation industries. In 2013, SumiRiko AVS was wholly owned by Sumitomo Riko Company Limited (renamed Tokai Rubber Industries). Sumitomo Riko is the global market leader in the automotive vibration control segment.

About the Sumitomo Riko Group
The manufacturing company Sumitomo Riko was founded in 1929 and is headquartered in Nagoya-shi (Aichi), Japan. Until 2014, the company name was Tokai Rubber Industries, Ltd. The company is the world leader in the manufacture of rubber anti-vibration systems for the automotive industry. Other products include rubber and synthetic resin hoses, as well as sound insulation / polyurethane insulation and interior trim elements. The automotive parts development technologies are leveraging the company to expand its electronics, infrastructure and “home environment, health and care” businesses. With a global network of 106 locations in 23 countries, the company aims to become a “Global Excellent Manufacturing Company”, offering its customers worldwide security, protection and comfort.

About Goldbeck
Goldbeck designs, builds and manages commercial properties with a focus on industrial and logistics halls, office buildings and parking garages. In addition, the company realizes schools, sports halls, senior citizens’ real estate and day-care centers. The range of services also includes building management, construction in existing buildings and parking space management. Goldbeck is a partner for medium-sized businesses as well as large corporations, investors, project developers and public sector clients. In fiscal year 2016/17, the company realized more than 430 projects with a total output of € 2.45 billion. Currently more than 6,000 employees work for Goldbeck.

Hiroaki Tanahashi:
• CTO of SumiRiko AVS Germany
• Executive Officer of the Sumitomo Riko Group

Tsutomu Matsuoka:
• Executive Managing Director of the Sumitomo Riko Group
• President Automotive Anti-Vibration Products Business Headquarters
• President Automotive Polyurethane Products Business Headquarters