U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

SCHERDEL: A Commitment to Developing Smart Technologies

With the help of: Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)

About

SCHERDEL Sales & Technology is a global spring supplier to the manufacturing industry. Since beginning production in 2000, SCHERDEL has grown to nearly 160 employees in their Muskegon, Mich. location, which includes sales, engineering, procurement, logistics and design staff, and includes a tool shop and quality laboratory all onsite. With sales of more than $30 million, their main products include stamping and bending parts, as well as technical springs. Their parent company, SCHERDEL GmbH, was established in 1890 in Germany and patented the first spring to be used in the Rudolf Diesel combustion engine. Today, the global SCHERDEL Group is responsible for 80% market share of springs for the automotive and aviation industry.

The Challenge

SCHERDEL has a long history of embracing developing technologies. Industry 4.0 has brought about significant changes with an exponentially quickening timeline. With the complexity of the various Industry 4.0 nodes, it is hard for companies to determine if they are leading or lagging in technology. Gap analysis is necessary to enable companies to focus on strength and begin to fill in areas with deficiencies. SCHERDEL has increased capacities in IoT, robotics and other Industry 4.0 capabilities. However, when considering the next steps, bringing in external consultants seemed a logical step.
SCHERDEL appreciates the support with grants, training, connections to community and business resources, and all the other services The Center has provided to us through the years. A talented workforce is imperative to successful operations and meeting customer demands. The Center has been an outstanding business partner and support to our regional economy.
— Sander Schoof, CEO

MEP's Role

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center’s (The Center) Grand Rapids regional office, part of the Michigan MEP and the MEP National Network™, has maintained a strong and consistent relationship with SCHERDEL for nearly 10 years. The Center, in cooperation with Muskegon Community College, arranged an Industry 4.0 walkthrough and evaluation. This allowed SCHERDEL to determine strengths and complete a gap analysis with departments to surmise where additional technology would be most impactful. The Center’s team provided specific analytical results to assist with determining next steps.

SCHERDEL implemented several of the strategies, but, approximately two years after the assessment, SCHERDEL determined the purchase of a 3D printer in their tooling design department would allow them to move away from traditional machined metal tools. SCHERDEL was able to purchase the 3D printer through a grant as an added benefit to completing the Industry 4.0 assessment.

Created October 31, 2023