Across the
globe, the automaker Toyota is highly recognized for consistently raising the
bar for manufacturing, product development and process excellence – the major
reason Toyotas are the most preferred cars on the market. Neoteric shares many
of Toyota’s business philosophies and has adopted the automaker’s world-famous
TPS System (Toyota Production System). One of the main tenets of TPS is establishing
partnerships with suppliers and partners to work hand-in-hand for mutual
benefit.
Göbler-Hirthmotoren KG
(Hirth Engines) is Neoteric’s largest supplier, and this month Neoteric
president Chris Fitzgerald visited Hirth in Benningen, Germany to formalize and
strengthen the partnership between the two companies. The trip was quite a
success and, Fitzgerald reports, one of his most enjoyable.
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Hirth owner Siegfried Göbler (left)
and Chief Engineer Dietrich Kehe (right)
extend a warm welcome to Chris
Fitzgerald (center).
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History of Hirth
Hirth has
an intriguing history. Its founder, Hellmuth Hirth, born in 1886, was the most
successful German pilot before WW1. At age 18 he worked with Edison in the USA
as a mechanic, then returned to Germany in 1909 to help build the first German
aircraft. He founded Hirth Motoren GmbH in 1927.
Hellmuth
Hirth lost his life in an air crash in 1938 and the company was taken over by
Ernst Heinkel AG. After WW11 the defeated Germany could not manufacture
aircraft engines due to production constraints imposed by the Allied Forces, so
Hirth began manufacturing small 2-stroke engines for vehicles and stationary
applications.
In 1974,
Hans Göbler acquired all production rights and the company became Göbler-Hirthmotoren
KG, as it’s known today. Siegfried Göbler purchased the company from his father
Hans in 1993.
The
company is known for its state-of-the-art research, technology and production
and Hirth engines are at home in all the elements: from breaking the world’s
record in hovercraft racing to lifting paragliders off the ground, pushing
ultralight aircraft into the sky, supplying firefighters with high-pressure
water and powering UAV aircraft for reconnaissance in natural disasters, border
surveillance and traffic monitoring.
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An aerial view of Hirth facilities,
which remain today in their original location
in the midst of dense housing in
Benningen am Neckar, near Stuttgart, Germany.
Stuttgart is a major auto and
component manufacturing region.
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The Neoteric-Hirth Partnership
In
addition to learning more about the Hirth philosophy and its operation, one of
the main objectives of Fitzgerald’s trip was to work with Hirth to modify their
engines to Neoteric’s specifications. In order to meet the unique requirements
of hovercraft, Neoteric spends considerable time modifying engines after it
receives them.
Also, Neoteric
is the exclusive supplier of training craft for HovercraftTraining Centers, and wants to partner with Hirth to manufacture
heavy fuel engines specifically for HTC. Hovercraft Training Centers is developing
a light hovercraft training program for the U.S.Navy’s LCAC and Ship-to-Shore Connector crews, which ultimately will
require the use of heavy fuels (diesel/kerosene) for military hovercraft.
A third
goal was to mutually achieve engine improvements to make them even more
suitable for all hovercraft environments - salt water, etc. Finally, for aesthetic
reasons and to improve resistance to corrosion, Neoteric requested that engines
be painted or anodized black.
Mr. Göbler
wholeheartedly agreed to all Neoteric’s proposals and he was an engaging and
extremely gracious host. Fitzgerald was allowed full access to the factory and
staff. He also visited Mr. Göbler’s home and met his family and was treated to
exquisite dining experiences and accommodations.
Fitzgerald
concludes, “Mr. Göbler was eager to assist us however he
could. I regret not having made this trip several years in the past. I was made
extremely welcome and this was a most worthwhile mission which should produce verifiable
results in the future for all involved. I’d like to thank everyone who made
this visit a productive one, especially our team at Neoteric.”
Hirth factory photos:
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The
Hirth assembly line. Fitzgerald noted that everything in the factory
and
the office is exceptionally organized and spotless.
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A
technician mills crankshaft components, with a smile on his face
that
is typical for Hirth employees. Note the orderly arrangement of his tools.
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A
technician machines and drills an oil pump housing.
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A
CNC (Computer Numerical Control) milling machine is programmed.
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At
center right is a broaching machine, used to cut keyways.
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