Smack tours Flex-tools GmbH Germany!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Smack tours Flex-tools GmbH Germany! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/78281-smack-tours-flex-tools-gmbh-germany.html)




Hey fellow Geekaroonies I wanted to share my tour with Flex tools with everyone here. Since living in Germany now my interest for German products has skyrocketed through the roof! I eat, sleep, and live German now. Also having the Autobahn right outside the front gate of the base and being able to drive as fast as you dare is quite an experience. Not to mention living within 45 miles of the infamous Nurburgring and driving the “Green Hell”. Anyways the Flex headquarters is located in the city of Steinheim about 30 kilometers north of Stuttgart. This is in the state of Baden-Württemberg Germany. This trip was roughly 200 miles from me which I made it in less than 3 hours. Sure is nice being able to maintain a high rate of speed legally during my trip.

Upon arrival of the facility there was a bit of construction on the roadways surrounding Flex and the streets were very busy. After finding the company and parking my car I proceeded inside and was greeted with a welcoming sign which you will see below. I walked over to the reception desk and told them who I was and a phone call was made to Mr. Bob Eichelberg and Herr Siegfried Suby. It was an incredible experience seeing Bob and Suby come down to greet me and pause for a few pictures before we started the tour. After we chatted for a bit Herr Suby led us through the manufacturing facility and explained what goes into making the machines. Everything is made precisely to spec or it does not make the cut and will be put into the recycle bin to be recycled into raw material and made again. After seeing the full process of how they make their tools from start to finish we walked upstairs for a coffee break and was greeted by Herr Andreas Ditsche. Andreas, Bob, and I walked to the local restaurant for lunch as Suby had things to take care of.

This trip was quite the experience and I can say that these gentlemen treated me with utmost respect and as if I were family.

BTW, I know there is a lot of controversy going on about the Chinese acquiring Flex tools and I can say from first had experience that I did not see one China man in the manufacturing plant. All the Flex polishers we know and love are made right here in Germany by Germans. Even the Flex coffee cup is made in Germany!


Mr Suby and I
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0013_zps6f50ceeb.jpg


Bob and I
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0017_zpsa2289a73.jpg

Some of the Flex history
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0020_zps045e3130.jpg

Some of the current offerings
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0019_zps4a0af038.jpg

A look inside the facility
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0028_zpsdcd8a3c1.jpg

Bare motors ready to be wrapped with copper
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0027_zpsd144595f.jpg

Wrapping the motors
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0026_zps8e31efc3.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0025_zpsa9a61bc8.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0029_zpsad26020d.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0031_zpsd1186294.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0033_zpsd6c83514.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0034_zps317c83de.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0035_zps15337620.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0036_zpsacca65d0.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0037_zpsb554b99a.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0039_zps63d0ab8c.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0040_zpsd29f3e7a.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0043_zpsa5258e13.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0044_zps16080131.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0045_zpsef5d67e4.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0046_zps8f1b1030.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0049_zpsf5d12b53.jpg

A look inside the Flex conference room
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0050_zps8f32968d.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0051_zpsb85d812e.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0055_zps6f0ad9b8.jpg

And the German made Flex coffee cup with a rubber foot to prevent sliding
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0002_zps39fd0e43.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0003_zps8ca0599c.jpg

http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/123smack/Flex%20Tour/DSC_0004_zps91bd4d7e.jpg

In closing I would like to thank Mr. Mike Phillips for helping me make this trip possible. Andreas, Bob, and Suby, thank you for accommodating me and treating me with the utmost respect as if I were a Flex family member. This was an incredible experience and I thank you for what you gentlemen have done.

[rms64]

Mike - so cool!

Thanks for sharing. And now I need to order a Flex mug!

[Flash Gordon]

Nice to see you making your time useful whilst in Germany









:D

[Angus]

Wow, thats so cool!

[281]

Awesome Mike! You lucky son of gun you :dblthumb2:

[JSou]

Jealous. Thanks for sharing Mike!

[David at LC Pads]

Thanks for sharing Mike! Sounds like it was a truly incredible tour!

[DARK HORSE]

Very cool Mike, looks like it was an awesome day for you!











__________________

[VISITOR]

wow, very cool! can't wait to see what future polisher(s) they come out with, and one think i like is there QC is very high (better than Rupes IME). thanks for sharing...

[BrutalNoodle]

Thank you for taking us along on the tour.

I'm not at all surprised to see ladies on the assembly line. There was a piece I read a few years back regarding Ducati's assembly plant. One thing the director mentioned was that they favored women to men on engine assembly - that ladies tend to be more cautious/less aggressive, therefore less mistakes and more consistent with their work.

[Sicoupe]

That is awesome mike! Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us:) looks like it was worth the trip for sure!

[Pureshine]

Very cool Mike!

[FUNX650]

Thanks, Mike, for sharing your Flex tour experiences!!

Knowing how many plants in the USA are so guarded
with their "intellectual property"...
It's amazing that you were even allowed a camera in the building.

Glad you were though. :xyxthumbs:

See if you can tour a few Mercedes assembly plants...
I really enjoyed touring a few of them when I was over there.


Bob

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Mike - so cool!

Thanks for sharing. And now I need to order a Flex mug!

It was incredible Rob!

Maybe we can get Nick to get these added to the AG inventory?


Nice to see you making your time useful whilst in Germany

:D

:xyxthumbs:


Wow, thats so cool!

Very cool indeed!


Awesome Mike! You lucky son of gun you :dblthumb2:

It was an amazing experience!


Jealous. Thanks for sharing Mike!

No problem!


Thanks for sharing Mike! Sounds like it was a truly incredible tour!

Thanks Dave! It sure was!


Very cool Mike, looks like it was an awesome day for you!

Thanks Tad! It sure was!


wow, very cool! can't wait to see what future polisher(s) they come out with, and one think i like is there QC is very high (better than Rupes IME). thanks for sharing...

I am with you! I cant wait to see what is released at SEMA!

IMO, these Flex polishers are made like tanks.


Thank you for taking us along on the tour.

I'm not at all surprised to see ladies on the assembly line. There was a piece I read a few years back regarding Ducati's assembly plant. One thing the director mentioned was that they favored women to men on engine assembly - that ladies tend to be more cautious/less aggressive, therefore less mistakes and more consistent with their work.

No problem!

Hmmm. Didn't know that!


That is awesome mike! Thanks for taking the time to share your trip with us:) looks like it was worth the trip for sure!

Thanks Kyle! It was and incredible trip for sure!


Very cool Mike!

Thank you!


Thanks, Mike, for sharing your Flex tour experiences!!

Knowing how many plants in the USA are so guarded
with their "intellectual property"...
It's amazing that you were even allowed a camera in the building.

Glad you were though. :xyxthumbs:

See if you can tour a few Mercedes assembly plants...
I really enjoyed touring a few of them when I was over there.


Bob

Thanks Bob!

I was a bit surprised as well that I could take pictures inside the facility.

I plan on touring BMW, Mercedes, and Porsche as well as more detailing companies such as Sonax. Hopefully I can.

[FrankS]

Thanks for sharing the tour. Nice to know the craftsmanship that goes into the Flex. :props: