Cross-border collaboration
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Systems supplier Borgers-Olbrich, specialists in textile lining, have chosen Bertrandt France to be their partner in the development of the boot space lining for the new model of the Renault Mégane. The reason behind choosing the Bertrandt’s French branches was due to the good experiences the supplier had with Bertrandt Cologne on a past project.
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Background to the project
The German-based Borgers-Olbrich Group is known for its specialist knowledge in the field of textile linings such as in the development of the boot space for the new Renault Mégane II (5-door and 3-door).
The development of these vehicles which is tied to a tight schedule has entailed constant attendance at Renault’s ‘Technocentre’, the centre for concept studies and development, in Guyancourt near Paris – and also required fluent French and extensive knowledge of the work of the car producer.
As a consequence of these conditions and to be able to meet Renault’s wishes, Olbrich, Borgers’ tool manufacturer and developer, has assigned a French development partner to fulfil these requirements. As a result of Olbrich’s good experience with Bertrandt Cologne on a previous development partnership, the choice fell to Bertrandt’s French branch in Bièvres.
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Scope of the project
The work involved in developing the boot space can basically be divided into two main areas.
1. Concept development: involves feasibility studies on developments in the design area, the definition of geometric shapes taking into consideration the specification criteria and geometric limitations, the definition of the interfaces in collaboration with Renault and the system suppliers, together with the planning and realisation of the data generated.
2. Renault also brought Bertrandt into the further technical development of the project, including interfaces, quality management and the assembly process, who then worked with the development of the boot space linings until production-ready.
Division of work between Paris, Strasbourg and Cologne
Bertrandt Bièvres was then moved on to working on the lining circumferences for the Renault Mégane. Due to the tight schedule, the Bertrandt branches in Strasbourg and Cologne were also integrated shortly afterwards. At the start of 2001, work began with the development of interior concepts for the entire model range. The concept development for the Cabriolet, the Scénic and the Grandtour then took place in Paris. To keep to the narrow deadline and to ensure 100% quality, the Strasbourg and Cologne branches took on tight development timeframes for a short time.
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The linings for the saloon were developed in Strasbourg while the preliminary studies for the Grandtour were conducted in Cologne. The development of the Grandtour circumferences could then be moved back during the project in France in the spring of 2002 where they were then completed. Bertrandt France is currently supporting the kick-off for the last vehicle in the new Mégane II model range: the extended Scénic.
Summary
The cross-border collaboration between various partners required a great degree of flexibility on the part of all those involved. Bertrandt sees these projects as an enrichment in many respects. For example, on the linguistic level: discussions were held in English or French to ensure that those involved in the process understood the same criteria and solutions. An interpreter was supplied for the Italian partner only. An additional challenge was the technical work which was approached by the Germans, French and Italians in three different ways. This, too, had to be coordinated and brought to a successful conclusion. Another aspect was the extensive know-how which Bertrandt gained in the manufacture of textiles and related technologies. On the other hand, Bertrandt was able to take its knowledge to Renault. Excellent reactions and the interlinking of the various Bertrandt teams in Europe contributed to the success of the partnership with Borgers and the satisfactory conclusion of the project.
Bertrandt would like to thank the teams from Borgers and Olbrich in France and Germany for the confi- dence shown in the company during these projects and for the very good working relationship which built up during this time.
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Development stages in the field of linings:
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