Automotive suppliers and mechanical engineering under pressure

Not only the automotive industry, but also traditional mechanical and plant engineering are facing major challenges. Whereas in the past, the engineering menu consisted of welding cells, robots, and FEM verification, many companies are now faced with the question: “What next?” Merkle CAE Solutions supports companies in the further development of their existing product portfolios.

“The automotive industry has long been the pace-setter. But new technologies and global challenges are forcing a rethink,” says Dipl.-Ing (TU) Stefan Merkle, managing partner of Merkle CAE Solutions. “Many medium-sized companies have excellent technology – but the market is changing faster than old supply models allow. What is needed is not a complete reorientation, but new perspectives on what is already there,” explains Merkle.

Instead of axle guides, now implants; instead of exhaust pipes, now satellite components. Merkle CAE Solutions supports companies in transferring existing know-how to new contexts. FEM and CFD analyses, structural and flow simulations, and creative development approaches transform test benches into medical testing systems—or welding robots into assembly assistants for the defense industry.

“The expertise in medium-sized companies is still outstanding. It is important to recognize and leverage strengths and take the first step,” says Stefan Merkle. “Merkle CAE Solutions has also undergone a similar development. With courage, hard work, and yes, the occasional bottleneck. But it was the best decision of the last 25 years.”

With a team that sometimes “thinks outside the box,” Merkle CAE Solutions supports companies in leveraging their innovation potential—not with rocket science, but sometimes it does come down to that.