Manufacturing at AUREL: comprehensive services with a strong focus on individual solutions

What happens when cutting-edge technology meets a human approach and true flexibility? The manufacturing facility of the Czech company AUREL, located in Chrastava, delivers comprehensive services in the field of surface treatment. With strong technical support and personalised approach, it had earned the trust of customers across Europe. It proves that even a smaller operation can successfully compete with major industry players. We spoke with Jan Sommer, the plant’s Quality Manager, to find out how they make it happen.

AUREL has been supplying services to automotive manufacturers for over twenty years. How would you present the company?

We are a technology-driven company providing comprehensive services in research, development, and manufacturing for the automotive industry. We cover everything from design, calculations, and simulations to testing, engineering, and evaluation. We also carry out road tests in real-world conditions as well as on our own test track. Our primary focus is the automotive sector, but our capabilities extend to other industries as well. For example, the defence and military sectors, rail and freight vehicle manufacturers, aerospace component producers, and various other industrial fields.

AUREL is part of the Colegium Holding group. How does that impact your operations?

We are not standalone unit, we are part of a strong holding. This gives us stability, a solid foundation, and access to the know-how and support of other companies within the group. In addition to our plant, AUREL also operates two engineering centres – one in Mladá Boleslav and another in Wolfsburg in Germany. And also newly opened AUREL Proving Ground. Thanks to this setup, we have everything we need ‘under one roof’, enabling us to offer truly comprehensive services. At the same time, we remain competitive in Western markets – including in terms of costs.

So AUREL is not an ordinary small business, right?

Definitely not. AUREL has six branches, over 250 employees, and operates across Europe. Yet we still remain a Czech family-owned company, where key decisions are made by the owner of the holding, Petr Šimák and his family. This gives us great flexibility. Our processes do not take months to move forwards, which is appreciated by our clients. At the same time, being part of larger holding allows us to invest and it ensures that we are a reliable, low-risk partner. I would say we benefit from the best of both worlds.

How would you describe the Chrastava production facility?

We are relatively small operations, which sometimes is a surprise for first time visitors. But they always leave knowing we can deliver exactly what they need. Thanks to the support from holding and our strong team, we are able to provide the same level of services as large corporations. We supply leading car manufacturers and work with major automotive industry suppliers across Europe.

Looking at the map, it seems that great transport accessibility is one of your advantages, right? 

Exactly. For many European manufacturers, we are conveniently ‘on the way’ to Germany. Our facility is located in Chrastava, near Liberec, just minutes from the highway leading to the German border. That makes us an ideal choice for companies supplying to German car manufacturers. We save them both logistics costs and time. We are also seeing increased interest from German clients, who are drawn to both our manufacturing services and the newly opened AUREL Proving Ground. It provides a perfect environment for testing technologies, vehicles, and components. Even for autonomous vehicles, which are currently a major trend.

Do you supply parts directly to car manufacturers?

We are subcontractors, we do not have direct contracts with them. However, thanks to our partnerships, we offer a full-service solution including logistics. So yes, we deliver finished components directly to car makers. This helps them save significant costs and time. For example, imagine parts from manufacturer from Bulgaria being shipped to us for the treatment, then sent back to Bulgaria. They do inspection, packing there, and then ship them to carmaker in Germany. If we handle the entire process, we eliminate two costly trips across Europe for them.

What specific services does your production offer?

We focus on complete surface treatment services. We manage the entire project, from design to final dispatch. That includes degreasing, multi-stage rinsing, and passivation. After that, we assemble the components, apply specific adjustments, and provide storage, packing, and delivery to the end customer. In short, everything from A to Z.

That sounds like more than a typical surface treatment provider…

Exactly. Most surface treatment providers stop at the coating stage. They do not handle assembly or specialised applications. We do, and that is our strength. Our other strength is stable and experienced company with a broad team of experts, from development and 3D measurement, printing and scanning. We work closely with other companies in our group, such as EAP, which specialises in robotics. Thanks to this, we are flexible, cost-effective, and able to offer truly comprehensive solutions. For example combining surface treatment with automated assembly.

Automotive standards are known to be extremely strict. Is that a challenge for you?

Not at all. We meet not only the basic industry requirements, but also the specific, high-level standards of individual brands. For example Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Jaguar, and Land Rover and many others. We also hold a range of certifications.

Your website says that a key strength is your individual approach. What does that mean in practice?

Look, many of our clients come to us with very specific needs. And we are able to deliver exactly what they require. Thanks to our flexibility and the support of sister companies. We always strive to find solutions that make sense both technically and financially. And we have had wonderful experience with that. Our clients are satisfied, they stay with us and recommend us to others.

Do you have a specific example from practice?

Our team enjoys finding innovative solutions. When a customer comes with an unusual request, we do not say ‘it cannot be done’, but we find a way to make it work. Sometimes, we need to urgently process a batch of parts that was not planned. Or we must develop a very non-standard solution tailored exactly to the client’s needs. For example, we have our custom hanging baskets made to order based on specific customer requirements for processing parts.

One last question. Why do clients enjoy working with you? 

What our customers appreciate the most is that we offer truly comprehensive services and a personalised approach. But since I have already talked about that a lot, let me give you a quote from one of our Polish clients that sums it up perfectly. After our first project together, they told us: ‘You do it well. You are on the route. For reasonable price. Your quality is high and you are reliable. We are happy we found you. You are a lucky punch’. And that translates to: ‘You are a win‘. And of course, that makes us proud.

That sounds great. Thank you for the interview, and I wish you only happy clients ahead.