Segula Technlogoies says it is looking to “increase its footprint” at a Centre of Excellence in Rüsselsheim, as it moots taking on up to 2,000 staff of the Opel R&D site.
Both Opel owners, PSA and Segula are in talks with unions concerning the proposal, which Opel says is in response to a “heavily decreasing workload” from third parties and is designed it says, to protect engineering jobs.
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The Segula Technologies proposal aims at creating a European engineering campus and Centre of Excellence in Rüsselsheim, enlarging the scope beyond the automotive industry and including fields such as rail and energy as reflected by its customer portfolio.
The project would create the capacity to combine complete vehicle development and testing, as well as powertrain engineering and testing under one roof.
“This project would be very good news for the European automotive industry, employees and local communities,” insisted Segula Group managing director, Laurent Germain.
“The recognised skills of the Opel engineers combined with Segula’s know-how, would allow us to set the standard and contribute to the development of the local economy in the long run, to meet our customer expectations.
“Establishing this campus of Engineering Excellence would also encourage the settlement of further engineering companies in the Rüsselsheim and Dudenhofen area, and would promote a thriving and globally recognised campus of engineering expertise.”
Segula has developed into an engineering group supporting around 300 customers in all major industrial sectors, in 28 countries.
“We are looking forward to engaging in fruitful dialogue and to reaching an agreement with social partners,” added Segula managing director, Martin Lange.
“Segula is willing to continue the protection against dismissal agreed until July 2023. Our plan is not only to secure a sustainable future for the people that would join us from Opel, but we also plan to increase our footprint at the site in line with technological changes required by the market.
In Germany, through the previous acquisitions of Technicon Design and EK Design, the 550 employees of Segula are already carrying out engineering activities in product and process development throughout the field of body components with car manufacturers and their Tier 1 companies, as well as in the industrial vehicle, rail and other sectors.
In June 2018, Segula also announced cooperation in strategic projects with ESG Mobility, based in Munich.
Segula is an engineering group with worldwide presence, in major industrial sectors such as: automotive, aerospace, energy, rail, naval, pharmaceutical and petrochemical.
