Tesla Automation

Tesla Automation GmbH
FormerlyGrohmann Engineering GmbH (1983–2017)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryEngineering
Founded1983; 41 years ago (1983)
FounderKlaus Grohmann
Headquarters
Prüm
,
Germany
Key people
  • Lothar Thommes[1]
  • Michael Meens[1]
  • Stephan Werkman[1]
Number of employees
1390 (2024)
ParentTesla, Inc. (2017–present)
Websiteteslaautomation.de/en/

Tesla Automation GmbH (formerly Grohmann Engineering GmbH) is a German engineering automation company[2] based in Prüm in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The company operates a development center in Neutraubling, Bavaria, as well as support offices in Chandler, Arizona, and Shanghai, China.[3] The company was founded in 1983 by Klaus Grohmann and acquired by Tesla, Inc., in January 2017. Klaus Grohmann was ousted after clashing with Tesla CEO Elon Musk.[4]

The product portfolio includes machinery for the production of microprocessors and memory chips, airbag sensors and power steering controllers, as well as systems for the production of car door and roof seals, lithium-ion battery cells and modules. Among other things, the company manufactures robotics that are used in the production of batteries and electronics.

The firm works closely with universities within dual track studies of mechanical engineering and robotic process automation.[5] In addition, it provides training in the field of technical product design, industrial mechanics, CNC operation, construction technology, IT, mechatronics and industrial electronic technology.[6]

History

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Grohmann Engineering was founded by Klaus Grohmann in 1963.[7] It moved its headquarters to Prüm in 1983.

In November 2016, the privately held company agreed to be acquired by the American automotive company Tesla Motors.[7] At the time, 74.9% of the company was owned by Klaus Grohmann and 25.1% was owned by the Deutsche Beteiligungs AG.[8] At the time, the company had 700 employees,[7] with annual revenues of about €120 million.[9] The deal was completed on 3 January 2017, at which point the company employed 800 people.[10] According to a May 2017 SEC filing, Tesla paid $109.5 million in cash for the company, and in addition paid $25.8 million for a new incentive compensation agreement.[11]

In April 2017, founder Klaus Grohmann left the company due to a dispute with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Musk demanded the company halt production for competitors, such as BMW and Daimler AG, to focus on the Model 3.[4]

Main article: Tesla and unions § Germany

By discontinuing business relations with all customers except Tesla, the company's trade union was concerned with wage levels and with jobs in the long term if electric cars did not have the expected success.[12] Tesla then offered Grohmann employees a raise of 150 euros per month and employee stock options worth $10,000 with a payout over the following four years, as well as a one-time cash payment of 1000 euros. Tesla did not comment on the works agreement.[13] In October 2017, the company agreed with union representatives on a competitive pay structure. According to the chairman of the works council, the future remuneration was at the level of the collective agreement valid for the industry.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Impressum". Tesla Grohmann Automation (in German). Archived from the original on 12 June 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  2. ^ "Bloomberg - Tesla Grohmann Engineering". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  3. ^ "Contact". Tesla Grohmann Automation. Archived from the original on 22 May 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Exclusive: Tesla's Klaus Grohmann ousted after clash with CEO Musk - sources". Reuters. 28 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 May 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  5. ^ Dual-track University-level studies at Tesla Grohmann Automation Archived 12 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine, March 2018
  6. ^ Tesla Grohmann Automation Apprenticeship Archived 12 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine, March 2018
  7. ^ a b c McGee, Patrick; Campbell, Peter (8 November 2017). "Tesla buys German engineer for European expansion". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  8. ^ "Tesla buys Germany's Grohmann Engineering to help ramp up electric car production". Reuters. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 December 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  9. ^ Freytag, Bernd; Peitsmeier, Henning. "Zulieferer in der Eifel: Warum Grohmann für die Autohersteller so wichtig ist". FAZ.NET (in German). ISSN 0174-4909. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Übernahme von Grohmann durch Tesla abgeschlossen". Welt. 18 January 2017. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  11. ^ Lambert, Fred (10 May 2017). "Tesla breaks down its $135 million acquisition of Grohmann Engineering in new filing". Electrek. Archived from the original on 7 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  12. ^ Tesla-Mitarbeiter drohen mit Streik Archived 12 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine, Golem, April 2017
  13. ^ Tarifstreit mit Tesla: IG Metall setzt bei Grohmann auf Kompromiss Archived 12 May 2017 at the Wayback Machine, April 2017
  14. ^ Deutschland: Tesla einigt sich auf deutliche Gehaltssteigerung Archived 31 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, September 2017
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50°12′52.40″N 06°26′51.80″E / 50.2145556°N 6.4477222°E / 50.2145556; 6.4477222

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