Panasonic Factory Solutions continues to drive operational excellence and competitive advantage for ZF Automotive, following decades of uninterrupted service and strategic collaboration.
ZF Automotive, a division of global technology leader ZF Friedrichshafen AG, is a global technology company that supplies advanced mobility systems and software solutions for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and industrial applications. Over the last 30 years, it has relied on Panasonic’s high-performance SMT (Surface Mount Technology) machines and proprietary smart factory solutions to enhance production capacity, efficiency, and reliability across its European manufacturing sites as well as its UK facility in Solihull.
High-Performance SMT Solutions
ZF Automotive’s UK facility has deployed 18 Panasonic CM402 and CM602 high-performance pick-and-place machines as well as 21 Panasonic NPM-W and NPM-W2 pick-and-place machines. These machines have enabled ZF Automotive to ramp up production without expanding its physical footprint.
The CM402, first installed in 2002, delivered over 160,000 hours of uninterrupted operation until 2020, a testament to Panasonic’s engineering excellence. The CM602 and NPM-W2 models have further enhanced speed, precision, and flexibility, supporting the company’s high-mix, high-volume production needs.
Panasonic’s intuitive machine design has allowed ZF Automotive’s teams to transition seamlessly between models, achieving operational efficiency rates of 85 to 90%. The reliability of Panasonic’s equipment has also reduced the need for spare parts and minimised downtime, delivering a lower total cost of ownership and superior ROI compared to competitor solutions.
A Partnership Built on Trust and Innovation
With a relationship spanning over 30 years, Panasonic has subsequently evolved from a supplier to a strategic partner for ZF Automotive. Wayne Temple, SMT Engineering Team Leader at ZF Automotive UK, comments on the collaboration: “Panasonic acts more like a strategic partner than a supplier, offering end-to-end support and expert guidance as the technology has evolved. Our relationship is built on decades of trust and collaboration, especially with the UK service team, who feel more like trusted friends than technicians.”
Smart Factory Management with PanaCIM
ZF Automotive has also adopted Panasonic’s PanaCIM software suite to streamline operations. By integrating production processes and enterprise systems, PanaCIM has improved traceability, moisture control, and cycle times with a recent 25% reduction in manufacturing cycle time for mature products.
As the company continues to innovate in automotive safety systems, including ABS, traction control, and ESC, its partnership with Panasonic remains a cornerstone of its manufacturing strategy. The collaborative nature of the relationship allows both companies to co-develop solutions that meet evolving production demands.
“After 30 years, it’s seamless, reliable, and invaluable, providing complete peace-of-mind,” adds Temple.
To read the full ZF Automotive case study, please visit: eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/case-studies/panasonic-delivers-unrivalled-longevity-and-reliability-zf-automotive
