ZKW receives Quality Contribution Award from Geely
On 22 February 2023, ZKW Dalian received the Lynk & Co 09 Quality Contribution Award from Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely. The award recognises the particularly high delivery quality of the lighting systems specialist. Despite the automotive industry struggling with the global chip shortage and the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic last year, ZKW was able to fulfil its supply contracts with Geely in China on time, reliably and with the highest quality. “The award recognises the extraordinary commitment of our employees, who were able to deliver outstanding performance despite difficult market conditions,” explains Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW and ÖAMTC Fahrtechnik organize joint training courses
ZKW and ÖAMTC Fahrtechnik cooperate closely in the training of instructors. In February and March, the partners will hold lighting technology training courses for around 160 ÖAMTC driving technology instructors from all over Austria directly at ZKW’s Wieselburg site. The content of the training courses includes the latest headlamp developments and technologies (such as glare-free high beam), the complexity of vehicle lighting, correct headlamp settings, international legal requirements and the future of lighting systems. “We are very pleased that we as ZKW are making a significant contribution to driving safety with the ÖAMTC training courses,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of ZKW Group GmbH.
ZKW and LG present new Superintegrator lighting system at CES in Las Vegas
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, ZKW and LG Electronics Vehicle component Solutions jointly presented their innovations for the mobility of the future. As a highlight, the new Superintegrator concept was presented for the first time – an intelligent system of LED light and display that creates a completely new vehicle front. Among other things, the concept developed in Wieselburg makes it possible to let the front shine in any design or display messages with the help of software. ZKW also presented other innovative headlight systems, such as the new crystal light for the BMW i7, which was developed in cooperation with Swarovski. “CES is very important for us, because we want to grow further together with LG in the NAFTA region,” says Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW wins “Special Mention” award of the German Design Award
After winning the German Innovation Award, ZKW’s “Black Box” has now also been awarded the “Special Mention” prize of the German Design Award. The prize underlines the remarkable design of the ZKW Black Box. The award-winning robot station from the Wieselburg-based lighting specialist is used for the simpler, fully automatic processing and quality inspection of headlight lenses. “We are extremely pleased to receive this award. The award recognises the special innovative achievements of our employees,” explains Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW and Swarovski let the new BMW i7 shine with crystal headlights
One of the highlights of the new all-electric BMW i7 are the sparkling crystal headlights. ZKW has developed a unique lighting system in cooperation with Swarovski and the Bavarian car manufacturer. The four precisely cut crystals on each side of the “Iconic Glow” headlights are underlain by individually controlled LEDs. These support the daytime running and indicator lights, creating a vibrant, sparkling glow that is particularly effective during the “Welcome and Goodbye light staging” functions. In the lower part of the front of the BMW i7, high and low beams are discreetly positioned using ZKW LED matrix technology. The crystal headlights are produced in pan-European manufacturing. The premium crystal light was developed at the headquarters of the lighting systems specialist in Wieselburg, it is manufactured at the Slovakian site in Krusovce, the crystals come from Austria. “The innovative lighting system opens up new dimensions that no longer have anything in common with classic spotlights. With the crystal light, we have created a completely new kind of lighting effect for a premium automobile,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW wins SAP Digital Procurement Excellence Award 2022
ZKW received the SAP Digital Procurement Excellence Award 2022 at the SAP Purchasing Forum, which took place in Vienna on 20 September 2022. The award recognizes the rapid implementation, high level of integration into the SAP system and the wide range of functions offered by the project. “As a central, digital procurement and supplier platform, SAP Ariba facilitates all operational purchasing processes at ZKW,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of ZKW Group GmbH.
Andreas Nix takes over site management of ZKW Lichtsysteme GmbH in Wieselburg
At the end of September 2022, Andreas Nix (58) will be responsible as the new General Plant Manager of ZKW Lichtsysteme GmbH. Nix succeeds Stefan Hauptmann, who will assume the global position of ZKW Group Vice President Program Management. Andreas Nix most recently successfully managed the ZKW site in Dalian, China, as General Plant Manager. He has over 25 years of expertise in the automotive industry and has also worked in sales, production, quality and development. “My goal is to continue and secure the successful development of the Wieselburg site,” says Nix.
ZKW expands at its Mexican location
The ZKW Group is massively expanding its site in Silao, Mexico. The plant, which went into operation in 2016, is now being expanded by 15,700 to a total of 48,700 square meters of production space. At the same time, 830 additional jobs will be created. The site manufactures high-quality headlights for premium car manufacturers such as BMW, Ford Lincoln, General Motors, Mercedes Benz, Nissan Infiniti, Volkswagen and Volvo. By 2025, ZKW Mexico plans to produce around 3.5 million headlights per year with 2,522 employees. Total investment since the establishment of ZKW México will be around 255 million USD. “One of our main goals has been to work on innovations in terms of performance, quality, design and solutions, and thanks to the trust of our customers, this 3rd Phase expansion will not only increase the turnover, manufacturing capacity and quantity of team members, but also the possibility to develop and produce in our site more complex and cutting edge headlights”,” explains Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO der ZKW Group GmbH.
ZKW takes social responsibility
ZKW is committed to sustainable business with a variety of activities. The lighting systems and electronic specialist also promotes sustainability and environmental protection. For example, employees at the ZKW plant in Wiener Neustadt cleaned up the area around the plant during a “hallway cleaning event”. The company also supports the integration of refugees. On the platform “jobs-for-ukraine.at” ZKW offers vacancies in the areas of research & development, production environment and quality control. At the Mexican plant in Silao, ZKW employees promote and took part in fundraising activities for nonprofit foundations that focus on helping children and families fighting against cancer. In addition, the annual reforestation will take place in the Presa la Purísima nature reserve area again. The workforce at the ZKW site in Olomouc, Czech Republic, also set an example of sustainability by planting 4,000 trees. “Sustainable business has a central priority. With the various social and ecological projects, we are assuming social responsibility,” says Dr Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.
ZKW equips new all-electric Volvo C40 with high-tech lights
The new Volvo C40 relies on LED lighting technology from Wieselburg-based automotive specialist ZKW. The headlight of the all-electric electric crossover has a pixel module with 84 individually controllable LEDs. The high-tech light illuminates the road particularly efficiently, adapts dynamically to traffic and avoids dazzling other road users. A front camera and radar permanently scan the road, allowing up to five vehicles to be blanked simultaneously. The design of the high-quality pixel LED light is unique: the hammer-shaped light arc sets visual accents that are distinctive for Volvo. “For Volvo, we develop distinctive headlight designs that impress with their innovative technology and memorable appearance and increase road safety,” explains Dr. Wilhelm Steger, CEO of the ZKW Group.