Mr. Jené, you have applied for a procedure for bankruptcy in self -administration for Segula Technologies GmbH, which is essentially your test business. How did it come about? First of all, it is important to me to emphasize that bankruptcy in self -administration is about restructuring or renovation, with the clear goal of reorganizing the company in an economically challenging situation. Second, only one of our companies in Germany, Segula Technologies GmbH, i.e. the test business, is affected. In addition, there is still the Segula Technologies Services for Engineering and the industrial business, the Segula Technologies Experts for Headquarters, and there is a holding company. There are very high fixed costs for the operation of our plant-intensive testing activities here in Rüsselsheim and on the test track in Rodgau-Dudenhofen. In addition, we employ a large number of employees there. And unfortunately we could not achieve the critical size due to the structural change that would be necessary for sustainable economic performance. In addition, there are still high energy costs. The energy costs are due to the engine test benches, air conditioning chambers and the like? Our location here in Rüsselsheim includes a spacious area with around 60,000 square meters of space for development and test facilities, as well as a six-story office building. However, the greatest energy requirement arises at the test benches. These are predominantly interpreted and some are already hybridized – we have invested in this area. In addition, we are able to support the high run of e-mobility. However, what burdens us is the sales crisis in the automotive industry – and this affects not only Germany, but the whole world. This is particularly noticeable in our test facilities for complete vehicles, since the introduction of new models is moved in part. In addition, many manufacturers move their tests to their own house to first secure the utilization of their own test benches. Even if the automotive crisis will not last permanently, the Segula Group is increasingly the question of how long the test business for vehicles can be crossed by other business areas-such as engineering services and the industrial business. Especially since the core business of Segula Technologies has always been in engineering. Like work for the Segula Technologies GmbH? In engineering, i.e. at the Segula Technologies Services, around 150 people work at both locations. Holger Jené has been the managing director of Segula Technologies in Germany since 2021.Lucas Bäumlwenn, the test facilities are oversized, you will probably have to stop or sell them. But if they are not also used by the engineers? It is true that engineering and testing interlock. This applies in particular to the drive lines. I firmly assume that we will continue to run this business in the future. With strategic customers, we are already talking about whether we enter into a partnership beyond individual orders that ensure a stable order volume over a longer period of time. We also analyze further options – such as strategic partnerships. If, for example, a strategic investor can be found, this could be interested in the entire area, i.e. not only at the test benches for the drive train, but also on the vehicle test stands. The process has just started, but in mid -October we may already know how things will actually go on with one or the other area, but also an investor will not be able to continue to drive everything here for the reasons you have described. Imagine an automobile manufacturer from Asia who is not yet present here. It can either restart on the green meadow or take over existing structures. It is not yet clear whether this really happens – but we have spoken to potential investors worldwide. What does that mean for the employees? In the event of a restructuring, areas are usually broken down. How many employees will end up in the end depend on the timetable or investor. However, a significant reduction can be assumed. I can’t say more at the moment. The organization will also be slimmer in Rodgau-Dudenhofen-where the systems continue to belong to Stellantis and we only act as operators. The self -administration allows existing structures and all contractual regulations to be re -evaluated. This is one of the reasons why I recommended this path of the Segula group. I see a chance in this. The number of test benches required, of course, also depends on sales development. That is why I talk to our customers about whether we can reconcile a commitment for certain volumes. When taking over the development and test center of Opel, they have concluded corresponding contracts with their parent company Stellantis, how important this customer is now? Stellantis is an important customer for vehicle test benches and on the test track in Rodgau-Dudenhofen. However, I think that other manufacturers will also analyze whether testing in your own house is really the most cost-effective solution or whether you are currently outsourcing technologies such as combustion engines or hybrid drives to concentrate on electric drives. After all, the costs are also a central topic for car manufacturers. They speak of drive test stands and vehicle tests. But you also have an audio laboratory and an antenna laboratory in which a lot was invested. Does this also belong to the test business, or does it fall under development? This is one of the vehicle test benches, the load of which is currently rather low compared to the drive train test stands. For these laboratories we can imagine using them for other industries, for example the defense industry. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) plays a major role for them. We are currently examining whether we can test vehicles such as off -road vehicles or vans with our test facilities. This is more difficult for larger and heavier vehicles because they have to be brought to an EMC hall completely and so that the floor load becomes a topic. In spring 2024 they were still very optimistic, because they wanted to build up 200 jobs, instead they have only 800 employees across Germany, 200 less. However, the number of employees changes due to the dynamics in the project business and the expiry of temporary contracts – especially since we also offer temporary employment. In addition, there is a certain natural fluctuation. More on the Themadie six trainees who started a year ago are still there? Our trainees are still with us, we attach great importance to that. Because we want to give you a future. And you are relying on finding an investor primarily for testing combustion engines and hybrids. Also because electrical electric drives cannot be covered with all the applications that are still operated by the combustion engine today. For example in off-road vehicles. In addition, there will be a long time countries that will allow new cars with combustion engines, but will then be tested here? Tests for the Asian market can certainly be carried out from our locations. Conversely, we see that Chinese carmakers are increasingly coming to Europe and also building works in Eastern Europe. Your vehicles must be homologated and certified for the European market. This is exactly what we can offer from a single source, supplemented by our engineering competence. When operating test benches, in addition to well -trained employees, the quality and equipment of the systems are primarily important. Here we can map the entire life cycle of a vehicle here – this is far from being possible everywhere. Our test field is one of the most attractive in Germany and Europe. And in terms of investments in the plants, personnel costs are comparatively moderate, because you addressed the high energy costs – actually helps you the planned reduction in electricity tax? This will not be the big throw that solves all other problems, but it would be a small contribution, a building block that would be quite helpful.
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