Research and development
Research and development expenses
in million €
In fiscal 2008, the Jungheinrich Group continued to invest heavily in the development of its products. Spring 2008 saw Jungheinrich present new products from all segments to the international expert audience at CeMAT in Hanover, the world’s largest and most important intralogistics trade show. Evidence of the company’s innovative prowess is confirmed by positive customer feedback on the new generation of IC engine-powered trucks with hydrostatic drive trains. At €39 million, the Jungheinrich Group’s expenditures on research and development including development-related preparatory work and services rendered by third parties was nearly on par with the year-earlier level (€41 million). This represented 4.0 per cent of sales generated from new truck business in the year under review, which rose significantly (prior year: 4.5 per cent). Last year, an average of 340 people worked in the field of research and development (prior year: 350).
Engineering tasks in the 2008 reporting year focussed on new developments for counterbalanced trucks aiming primarily to improve energy efficiency and energy management. Eighty-four patent applications were filed in 2008 (prior year: 127), and 89 patents were granted (prior year: 65). This enabled innovations to be turned into significant product improvements which help increase customer benefits substantially. Development departments focused on the following fields of activity during the reporting period:
Fundamental research
Central areas of research dealing with new, efficient drive systems were addressed in the year under review. They were one of the main points of focus of development activity. Promising energy systems based on lithium-ion batteries were explored and engineered. Moreover, the possibilities of raising drive train efficiency while increasing turnover rates were studied. The first findings were implemented in the ‘Concept ‘08’ truck study at CeMAT in the spring. This fully functional low-platform truck is based on a drive concept mating a lithium-ion energy storage with a highly economical direct drive train. Further alternative drive concepts such as fuel cell and hybrid drive trains were examined for reliability and profitability. Jungheinrich thus underscored its expertise in the field of efficient drive systems.
Logistics systems offer Jungheinrich a viable way to expand its product range. Intelligently linking warehouse management systems, payload carriers and material handling equipment opens the door to substantial efficiency improvements in logistics. For instance, multi-pallet tracking based on an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) antenna integrated in the fork. The inclusion of modern information technology in forklift trucks will significantly enhance their future marketability.
Another main area of development work was dedicated to reducing life cycle costs. This included testing service tools enabling affordable increases in truck availability. We expanded the test and development centre in Norderstedt by adding a large-scale noise-measurement laboratory in our quest to improve product quality.
Product engineering
A special highlight in the period under review was the market launch of a new battery-powered counterbalanced truck. Thorough design work led to a 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption. Among the bases for this were the development of innovative battery-management technology and the use of a special electric steering system.
Newly developed IC engine-powered forklifts with payload capacities between 6 and 9 metric tons predominantly distinguish themselves by their new electronically controlled diesel engines and maintenance-friendly tilting cabin. Our successfully introduced hydrostatic drive technology will be incorporated in additional model series.
In the future, products adapted to market needs which are manufactured locally will expand the product portfolio in order to ensure the company’s success in the world’s major growth regions. A new battery-powered counterbalanced truck designed for the Chinese market premiered at CeMAT ASIA.
In the specialized truck sector, the latest RFID technology, the advantages of efficient drive trains, and additional safety features were integrated in a new high-platform order picker.
A special reach truck with superelastic tyres for combined hall and yard applications fitted with cutting-edge technologies rounds out the new generation of reach trucks.
New intralogistics concepts for supplying assembly lines with tractors (milk run concept) require the product portfolio to be expanded resolutely. By introducing a full line of tow tractors with trailer payloads of 1 to 25 metric tons, Jungheinrich put itself in a position to satisfy all customer wishes in this segment.