Germany-based ZF has opened a new facility in Schweinfurt to house around 520 people, as it expands its E-Mobility Division.

Board member Michael Hankel said: “The demand for electric driveline solutions has grown enormously. With electromobility, ZF is paving the way for next-generation mobility solutions and contributing to a reduction in world-wide vehicle emissions.”

Electromobility, vehicle motion control, fully automated driving and integrated safety are the four ‘technology pillars’ that support ZF’s Next Generation Mobility strategy.

The workspaces are based on ZF’s office 3.0 concept, which enables project-based flexible working and makes it easier for staff to communicate with each other.

Jörg Grotendorst, head of the E-Mobility division, said: “This modern office concept creates the perfect all-purpose working environment.

“It reflects the transformation in the working world, which is now marked by agility and digitalisation.”

With more than 9,400 employees, Schweinfurt is one of ZF’s largest sites (www.zf.com).

In addition to the E-Mobility Division (founded in 2016), ZF’s Aftermarket Division is also based in Schweinfurt.

The new building houses 16 test benches and other facilities that can be used to check electric and hybrid drives and their components.

ZF is also increasing its production capacity at two other sites. Its new Serbian plant in Pancevo began operations recently; this will mainly produce electric motors, generators for hybrid and electric drives, transmission selectors, and microswitches.

It is already being expanded to meet the huge demand for these products.

Another production location for electric drives is currently under construction in Hangzhou (China) and is due to become operational next year.