Rába Development Institute has started its operation

Within the framework of its newly established Rába Development Institute Raba has recently launched a comprehensive innovation programme with a budget of more than HUF 1.5 billion. As a result of the project axle production volume of 2009 is expected to double by 2015 at the Győr-based company. The three-year long programme is cofunded by the European Union.

The innovation scheme creates such research and development potential that enables the company to fully meet new needs, emerging parallel to the revolutionary technical and technological changes prevalent in the automotive industry with up-to-date, innovative products. Therefore, the new Institute helps the company achieve significant and steady growth with high-value added products. At the same time, it enables the Company to take market leading positions in some areas thanks to its unique, trailblazing solutions.
In the course of the Institute’s operation, Rába can considerably rely on its more decade-long production and development experience. In the past years, Rába established strong positions in the market of heavy-duty tractors and special truck axles as well as in the market of traditional and low-floor buses, and trolley bus axles. Rába Development Institute will improve the efficiency of product development as in its framework the previous single project-based product development meeting current customer needs will be replaced with a research and development activity based on comprehensive concepts integrated in the company’s strategy. The expansion of research and development resources will be complemented by new competences and technological advancement.
In Rába Development Institute, the development of new-generation axles, suspension and transmission systems for up-to-date buses, trucks and agricultural tractors will continue at a higher level and with higher intensity. In addition to this, the company examines the special needs of alternative/hybrid driving systems and the opportunities of applying new structural parts as well as preparing for the introduction of intelligent functions. The examinations will take place in a fully upgraded test laboratory where all highlighted product features (life span, weight, lubrication, casing, noise, and lastly cost-level) can be optimized in accordance with the complex aspects of cost-efficiency and environmental protection.
”In Rába, there is continuous development activity, in the framework of which, with this new scheme, innovation gets in clear focus”, said István Pintér, Rába’s Chairman-CEO. ”With the help of the developments realized in the new institute, we will be able to increase our chances to make use of the ongoing restructuring of supplier chains efficiently.”