Pedro Rodrigues, Engineering ManagerAt the core of PECOL Automotive’s operational excellence is a team of 60 highly skilled engineers. Eight out of these engineers are experts in tooling design and development, enabling the company to make swift, real-time improvements during production.
“Our agility is bolstered by our proactive collaboration with clients, particularly in refining designs, while still upholding competitive pricing structures,” says Pedro Rodrigues, engineering manager at PECOL Automotive.
Catering to a niche market for structural parts and primarily focusing on the automotive sector, the company uses metal forming techniques that are facilitated by over 85 cold forging machines, strategically aligning its operations to meet the industry’s high standards. These machines produce a wide range of products, with sizes ranging from M3 to M33 and lengths of up to 325mm. These products cater to critical segments of the automotive industry, including electronics, powertrains and electrification, brakes and suspension as well as chassis.
A strategic approach to supply chain management is another cornerstone of PECOL Automotive’s success. By leveraging its logistics centres in Poland and Italy, the company has significantly reduced lead times, ensuring efficient delivery.
While PECOL Automotive manages all its processes in-house, the firm collaborates with an extensive partner network. From coating and heat treatment applicators to washer providers, it maintains more than 50 partnerships. Despite handling the primary screw fastener production processes in-house, the firm can readily turn to these trusted long-term partners in case of a need.
Recently, PECOL Automotive has augmented its offerings by adding a subsection developed in partnership with its customers dedicated to assembly and mounting parts. This development enables the company to deliver preassembled sets tailored to specific requirements, showcasing its proactive work attitude towards customer needs thus increasing its value proposition.
Our agility is bolstered by our proactive collaboration with clients, particularly in refining designs, while still upholding competitive pricing structures
This is especially noted in an instance involving plastic over-moulding, a process on the scope of PECOL Automotive’s current offerings. When a customer expressed the desire to over-mould the firm’s screws and fasteners, the company collaborated with a plastic injection moulding supplier to fulfil the requirement. This project is in its early stages and represents state-of-the-art technology from which the firm continuously learns. Instances such as these highlight its capability to embrace the advancement of processes and respond positively to the evolving needs of the market and more complex solutions.
PECOL Automotive has recognised the escalating demands placed upon suppliers. In response, the firm’s Engineering department has pioneered a research and development (R&D) subsector, a strategic move intended to guide technological advancements while effectively allocating resources and research efforts. It boasts a cadre of highly skilled professionals equipped with advanced tools such as Finite Elements Simulation software, the 3D FDM printer, 3D Bridge CMM, Optical 3D profilometry and more, positioning the company at the vanguard of innovation.
Quality, a bedrock principle at PECOL Automotive, is deeply embedded in its ethos. The certification of its Quality Management System in line with the IATF 16949 standard demonstrates the firm’s dedication to continuous improvement in all its processes. The company employs cutting-edge measurement and unit control technologies to not only meet but exceed customer expectations, reinforcing its commitment to excellence.
A key aspect of PECOL Automotive’s growth strategy has been internationalisation and technological advancement through the acquisition of new equipment. The company’s recent expansion of its production area is a strategic step to ensure complete command over the entire supply chain, encompassing stages from raw material annealing to automatic inspection and packaging. PECOL Automotive caters to a diverse global market, including TIER1 and OEM partners, cementing its position as a leading provider of fastening solutions in the automotive sector.
