Innovative, proactive and always open to the latest innovations, Jan Mach is a man with vision – based on a stable and strong experience. He is the owner of Schotte Automotive GmbH & Co KG – an enterprise with over six decades of fastener expertise in production and distribution under the brand of Schotte Automotive Fasteners.
To be a simple supplier of fasteners has not been enough for Jan Mach. For years he analysed the development of international markets in detail – to be prepared for future requirements and always looking for alternatives. He constantly invests in R&D and analysis to support his customers with state of the art customised solutions. “It sounds like it takes a lot of effort. It does,” states Jan Mach. “However, the benefits exceed the effort by far.”
In 2012 Jan Mach again used his expertise to enlarge the Group portfolio and founded Schotte Automotive Engineering GmbH. While the main focus of Schotte Automotive Fasteners is the production and delivery of a diverse range of fasteners according to customer drawings, Schotte Engineering steps into the production development process (PDP) much earlier.
“In common with our customers we try to create individual benchmark solutions – if possible directly from the beginning,” explains Jan Mach. “As a Tier supplier most of the time you get engaged in the game to confirm the feasibility according to drawing. Our experience is that ‘white board’ parts do not fit with production a lot of the time. Often the parts cannot be implemented as intended – either the application technology is not mature or the type of planning or choice of materials are simply too expensive. Early integration of Schotte Engineering in the product development process (PDP) provides the opportunity to create more efficient and more cost-effective solutions for our customers.”
A Schotte task force team creates solutions to needs and application requirements together with the customer – from the first idea to the preparation for serial production.
To success with the Schotte ‘6 step strategy’
For a better understanding of Schotte Engineering’s approach Jan Mach describes his ‘6 steps’ to success. This standard procedure is applied to every project and always starts by analysing and optimising the requirements, the specification catalogue and T&Cs. Downstream, Schotte
Engineering develops suitable fastening solutions, which include a direct risk analysis of the new design.
In coordination with all relevant parties a detailed quality and production plan is executed. “Quality products can only be produced with a qualified APQP-process,” adds Jan Mach.
Based on steps 1 to 5, as well as on VDA and PPAP standards, and CSRs, the Schotte team generates, for the completion of every project, a full set of prototypes on sampling documentation.
The combination of Schotte Automotive Engineering and Schotte Automotive Fasteners, Jan Mach says, has created an offer that allows him to generate a sustainable benefit together with and for his customers, which exceeds standard savings through purchasing. Based on expertise that has been developed and refined over decades, the Schotte team manages processes, facilitates transfer of solutions, is innovative, and delivers fast and above all robust solutions.
Time to rethink
Over the last few months Jan Mach has worked together with Maurizio Piria, technical director of Schotte Automotive Engineering, to create integrated workshops for customers – enabling them to focus on product and process flexibility, which is very important for all parties.
“From our perspective we connect R&D, quality and purchasing teams at the customer site, which leads to a more successful project,” explains Maurizio Piria. “This is especially true for the moderation of higher level OEM, First Tier and Second Tier projects.”
“It is possible that the comprehensive approach may seem strange for many customers,” says Jan Mach, “but we deal every day with the improvement of fasteners of various kinds. So it makes perfect sense to go beyond standard connections in order to link all resources.”
Jan Mach concludes: “With a service ‘Made in Germany’, as well as general consulting and consistent care, we are asking customers to rethink. Thanks to the evaluation of existing and the implementation of new processes – with flexible resources and know-how transfer – we are able to provide more effective and cost-efficient solutions.”
www.schotte-automotive-engineering.de
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
