Page 14 - Manual FAT EU

Manual FAT EU 2018

Figure 9: FAT EU Sales structure

The integration of the "order fulfilment" into the Sales department is now a common
standard set up of all sales locations across Europe. This set up secures, that Sales
always have a global view to the customer, from the quoting process until the serial
orders. Sales EU monitors the Customer Service Rate, analysis the deviations and
manages action plan with Sales, Warehouse and Production if necessary.

3.2.6. Central Innovation

Pre-development activities are also managed throughout Europe. This includes Pre-
development teams in Germany and France, “New product groups” management as
well as central Standardization and Patent management teams in Bielefeld with
patent coordinator on domestic location on demand. The accredited physical-
technical laboratory in Bielefeld provides services for its internal and external
customers.

The Gate process of product development involves transferring the pre-development
work of the R&D team in Innovation to the Development team in the Product Center
after Gate 2 (concept release phase) is completed. The technology maturity is
adjusted using the nine-stage "Technology Readiness Levels" matrix. This procedure
makes the transfer process more efficient and eliminates the overlap period between
Pre-Development in Innovation Box and Development in PC.
A very important interface to the customer is realized over the Sales. A regular
exchange between the Heads of Innovation and Sales is implemented in order to
take into account market developments and customer needs.

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