Cebi produces electromechanical components for the automotive industry, household appliances, e-mobility applications and industrial applications, and has always placed innovation and technology at the centre of its strategy. Turning its laboratory into a modern test centre that would be open to external companies was therefore a natural step. “The objective was both to bring together the entire research and development department in order to regroup skills and facilitate cooperation between product and process specialists, and to acquire new facilities that would meet, or even exceed, the requirements of our customers,” explained René Elvinger, CEO of Cebi.
Unique equipment open to partners
The new R&D laboratory covers over 1,000 sqm equipped with around 50 brand new facilities that make it possible for Cebi to offer a complete testing service. The lab is divided into seven fields of applications ranging from 3D printing and material analyses to mechanical, climatic, environmental and thermal shock tests as well as electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) tests.
We have invested €28 million over the last 3 years at the Luxembourg site.
The financial support provided by the Luxembourg state has allowed Cebi to install equipment that is rare in the Greater Region, such as very powerful vibration benches, climatic chambers ranging from -70°C to +300°C, a salt spray, equipment simulating sandstorms or water jets, and an EMC chamber which meets the latest automotive and aerospace standards. In addition to accelerating the development and innovation of Cebi’s own project, the lab will also be opened up to external companies. “Making our equipment available to other companies in the automotive sector or other sectors requiring testing perfectly aligns with our company’s strategy,” underlines Paul Elvinger, member of the management committee of the Cebi group. The company is already working on test projects with several partners in the Greater Region.
Luxembourg: an industrial centre
The new laboratory was inaugurated in the presence of HRH the Hereditary Grand Duke and Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot. Minister Fayot commented on Cebi’s orientation towards the future during its 45 years of history in Luxembourg. “Thanks to this new test infrastructure, the group will not only improve the development process of its own products but also contribute to the creation of specific skills on its Luxembourg site,” he said. “This should also allow synergies with other players in the automotive industry in Luxembourg and the Greater Region. The company contributes as a result to the reputation of Luxembourg as an industrial centre.”
The investment in the R&D laboratory is part of a greater programme implemented by Cebi. “We have invested €28 million over the last 3 years at the Luxembourg site,” said René Elvinger. “Part of these investments was intended for new research infrastructure as well as for innovation projects for our products and Industry 4.0. These investments allow us to meet future challenges.”
Photo: © MECO