Minister President Daniel Günther visited the medium-sized technology company Vincorion in Wedel. During his tour, he learned about the latest technical developments and emphasised the importance of the defence technology industry for the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Managing Director Kajetan von Mentzingen gave the Minister President a tour of the production facilities.
With around 800 employees, Hamburg Aviation member Vincorion is a defence technology, civil and military aviation company that focuses on innovative and sustainable solutions. These include the GTD chaser weapon stabilisation system, which is used in modern battle tanks such as the ‘Leopard 2’, and the new ERH premier electric rescue hoist, which will offer exceptionally high safety standards for air rescue.
‘Everyone deserves a safe life - that is our vision at Vincorion,’ explained Kajetan von Mentzingen. ‘We are working to develop technologies that ensure the safety of people in the most challenging situations and are innovative. With the next generation of stabilisation systems and rescue winches that we are able to present here, we are demonstrating absolute high-tech.’
‘Schleswig-Holstein has the potential to become a leading location for innovative and future-orientated industries,’ explained Minister President Günther during his visit. ‘Companies like Vincorion show that important key technologies are being developed and produced here that contribute to Germany's security architecture as well as creating economic stability and jobs.’
Safety as a central theme: In the field of civil aviation, the company focuses on innovative solutions that prioritise the protection of the emergency services and those being rescued. One example of this is the ‘ERH premier’ rescue hoist, where safety is at the centre of the new design.
This winch, for example, has a sophisticated ‘shock absorber’, which reduces the strain on the rescuers and those being rescued if the winch stops suddenly. It also offers the option of cutting the rope at the touch of a button in an emergency.
The GTD chaser weapon stabilisation system is also designed with safety in mind. This system enables the crew of an armoured vehicle such as the new Leopard 2 A-RC 3.0 to be fully accommodated in the well-protected hull instead of being exposed in the rotating turret. This significantly increases the safety of soldiers, as recent conflicts have shown that drone attacks pose an increasing threat.
Efficiency as a factor: In addition to safety, efficiency is also an important issue for Vincorion. For example, the company develops particularly powerful and reliable power generators that optimally meet the needs of the troops. These technologies are part of VINCORION's commitment to innovative and forward-looking solutions, with which the company is making an important contribution to the modernisation of the armed forces.
‘We want to become the first climate-neutral industrialised country by 2040. To achieve this, politics, society and all economic sectors must pull together. Here we see that sustainability also plays a role in the defence industry,’ said Prime Minister Günther on the fringes of the visit. ‘It is encouraging to see that companies like Vincorion are finding innovative ways to fulfil both security and environmental policy requirements.’
Growth and innovation at the Wedel site: Vincorion is a growing company that continuously invests in research and development at the Wedel site. The Wedel site benefits from its proximity to leading universities such as the University of Applied Sciences Wedel and HAW Hamburg, with which Vincorion collaborates in the areas of research and training.
‘Our site in Wedel is an innovation centre that pushes the boundaries of technology,’ explained Kajetan von Mentzingen. ‘We not only develop products for today's challenges, but also think about the future.’
How politics and industry work together: Another key topic of the visit was the role of politics in promoting industry. Minister President Günther emphasised that the state government would continue to work on improving the framework conditions for companies in order to promote innovation and growth in Schleswig-Holstein.
During the visit, the question also arose as to what politicians could do to support medium-sized industry. Here, von Mentzingen mentioned topics such as better planning when awarding military contracts and accelerated, reliable awarding of contracts. Small and medium-sized defence technology companies could also be given targeted support for defence contracts.
At the same time, von Mentzingen emphasised that the industry itself also bears responsibility, for example by investing in research and development and setting up series production when corresponding orders are available.
‘The defence industry is of great importance for national security, and it creates valuable jobs and strengthens technological innovation in Schleswig-Holstein. We will ensure that innovative companies like Vincorion receive the support they need to continue their work,’ said Günther.
Skills shortage with challenges and opportunities: The current challenges of the skills shortage in the metal and electrical industry were also addressed during the visit. In times of skills and labour shortages and difficult collective bargaining, it is important to find solutions for both sides, said the Minister President. Attractive conditions and good wages are needed for employees, while at the same time the competitiveness of companies must be guaranteed.
Vincorion also emphasised its role as an attractive employer in the region. The company plans to expand its workforce at its three German sites, in Altenstadt in Bavaria, in Essen and in Wedel. Von Mentzingen explained: ‘Vincorion is an extremely attractive employer. These new jobs are not only highly qualified, but also future-proof. We are looking for employees in a truly high-tech field who will push rescue winch technology to its limits. These are jobs for highly qualified specialists.’
Vincorion is a technology company focussing on innovative energy systems in safety-critical applications, including generators, electric motors and drives, gensets, power electronics and hybrid energy systems. As a partner to the aerospace, security and defence and rail industries, Vincorion develops and manufactures tailor-made solutions for the specific requirements of its customers based on intensive dialogue.
An efficient customer service offers support and service for the use of own and third-party products throughout the entire product life cycle. With around 800 employees at locations in Germany and the USA, Vincorion generated sales of around €160 million in 2023.
For more information, visit www.vincorion.com, Vincorion's Twitter or LinkedIn page