In the TPV Group, innovation is an area which is given a special attention. We are a development supplier to the most demanding customers in the automotive industry, so we are aware that knowing the trends and outstanding innovation progress are a significant driving force for growth and development and the only way leading to competitiveness. In accordance with our vision »Connecting innovatiove solutions«, we aim at establishing a creative work environment and encourage our employees to search for innovative solutions which contribute to the company’s efficiency.

TPV day of innovation is a yearly event where we present our innovation actions and achievements made the previous year and we also point out the trends and new features and findings in the area of innovation.

This year, the innovation day took place on January 31, in the Dolenjski muzej. The ceremony was opened by Mr. Marko Gorjup, Director – President of Management  TPV d.o.o., who in the opening speech stressed the exceptional importance of innovations in optimizing the existing production and business processes, and especially in winning new business and gaining a competitive advantage in the demanding automotive industry worldwide. In terms of winning development business, TPV is getting increasingly  successful and has become a recognized development and pre-development supplier in the automotive industry. Today we develop automotive components whose start of production will be in only 5 years. We are pleased that our innovation and development competencies enjoy the confidence of most demanding and high-end OEMs like BMW, Mercedez Benz, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Renault, Volvo etc.

 

Krunoslav Šimrak, the director of R&D division, presented innovation guidelines worldwide and results and highlights we reached in 2016 in this area. Last year the employees within the TPV Group submitted 2,6 innovation proposals per person representing a 35 % growth compared to the previous year.   In future, we will be focused on two key  pillars – internal innovation processes and global technology trends. We will implement an innovation platform allowing an open innovation, internal and external flow and philosophy of lean operations. In order to break through worldwide we will pursue research efforts and use of lightweight materials, and further develop the area of automatization and even more intensively join the trend of digitalization.

Among the innovative ideas, the Innovation Committe traditionaly selects the most valuable proposal submitted by an individual and a team and they are rewarded for their contributions.  At the last ceremony, the awards and recognitions for the best innovative ideas were conferred by the director – president of management Mr. Marko Gorjup, the director – member of management, Mr. Ivan Erenda and the director of R&D division, Mr. Krunoslav Šimrak.  According to the Innovation Committee, Bojan Gregorevčič was the most impressive innovator submitting the innovative proposal called »Replacement of cameras on the cutting-folding line for IBK Ø18«.  The award for the most valuable team innovation was conferred to  Toni Kambič,  Mišo Pereško and Boštjan Piletič for the their innovation solution called: »Implementation of collaborative robots«.

In accordance with strategic guidelines adopted by the TPV Group, the employees’ further education is besides the  innovative ideas also a part of the incentive plan.  Mr. Marko Gorjup and Mrs. Martina Brec, the HR director granted recognitions to all employees who finished education last year:   Tilen Boršnar, Mitja Drenovec, Robert Jakofčič, Matej Jevšček, Aleksander Karlovčec, Igor Makovec, Jure Mohar, Matjaž Ogorevc, Sonja Pavše-Grabrijan, Maruša Petan, Žiga Plut, Krunoslav Šimrak and Boštjan Vučajnk.

Mr. Marko Gorjup and Vladimir Gregor Bahč, the procurator of the company TPV Group conferred the Martin Sever Award  for the best graduate thesis. This year’s awardee is Žiga Plut for the master thesis called »Lightweight modification of trailing arm’s bracket for personal vehicle«  (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana).

This year’s ceremony was spiced up by the innovative way of presenting the awards and recognitions. They were delivered by the automated guided vehicule TPV Optimatic160, which is the result of the company’s own development and which complements TPV Group’s range of comprehensive solutions as part of internal logistics automation following the trend of Industry 4.0.

The above mentioned trend was in a very picturesque way presented by the visiting speaker Mr. Tomaž Perme who showed  us around the factories of the future.    Mr. Aleš Pustovrh from ABC Accelerator  presented the possibility of connection of industrial companies with  startup companies and ways to increase the company’s innovation through  the philosophy of startup operation.

TPV is an innovation-focused company which is confirmed by several awards  received including last year national silver award for innovation by the Slovenian Chamber of Commerce, a golden and two silver awards for innovation by the Chamber of Commerce of Dolenjska and Bela Krajina and two silver awards by the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Posavje.

Nevertheless, not only novelties but also our traditions are important  which was emphasized in the music performances.  The men’s vocal band DECI composed of nine experienced singers from the mixed choir Pomlad sang some traditional folk songs and in this way reminded us of our roots.