Just the right city

What does imk automotive do?
Dr Jens Trepte: We are an engineering service provider that develops products and manufacturing processes at a very early stage for global customers, particularly in the automotive industry. For example, the body production concept for the world's cheapest car, the Tata Nano from Indian car manufacturer Tata Motors, was developed in Chemnitz. We are also working on improving processes and workplace ergonomics. We have put VW's ergonomics concept into practice. Since 2011, we have been working on the ema software, editor for human labour, which makes it possible to simulate human work at an early stage. We are currently the technology leader in this field.

Ema - human labour editor: The focus is on the human factor in the manufacturing process. Human labour is particularly important in assembly processes due to its flexibility compared to machines and automated systems. The ema software helps to plan these motion sequences, check their feasibility and take ergonomic and health and safety aspects into account. imk automotive has received several awards for the software, including the IQ Innovation Award Central Germany 2011 in silver.

Who is this interesting for? Who are your customers?
60 per cent of our customers are in the automotive industry. We work for all the well-known car manufacturers: VW, Porsche, Audi, BMW, Daimler. Other customers include mechanical engineers and the aviation industry.

imk automotive has been in Chemnitz for 12 years. Why did you decide in favour of this location back then?
I worked for a company in Frankenberg until 2002 and we were a core group from the former Trabant manufacturer Sachsenring. After the flood, the company was under water and I said to myself: now I'm going to become an entrepreneur. Now I'm going to set up my own company. The networks I built up back then still help me today. Why Chemnitz? I'm from Chemnitz myself, born in Karl-Marx-Stadt. You can also find customers in industry in this region. Chemnitz has developed well with its industry. Of course, we also earn money in other regions. But the city still has potential. Chemnitz is exactly the right city for us.

When you are travelling nationwide with your idea, does your origin play a role?
My business partners see Saxony as a progressive federal state. And they also associate progress with Chemnitz. Things are happening here. Things are moving here. And that's not just an empty phrase. People from Chemnitz always look enviously at Dresden and Leipzig. They don't realise what an economically strong region they live in.

You have now sent out a strong signal with your new company headquarters. You have renovated the old spinning mill for 3.5 million euros. How did you become aware of the building?
I live right up here on the edge of the forest. I always go for an early run before work and regularly pass by here. At some point, I confessed to my wife that I had fallen in love - with this very house.

The lower spinning mill was built in 1820 and later named after the furniture manufacturer Ernst Merkel. It is one of the last surviving early spinning mills built by the Saxon church architect Christian Friedrich Uhlig. It is thus a testimony to Saxony's early industrial buildings. The building has been used for furniture production since 1895 as the Merkel furniture frame factory. Production only ceased in 1990.

It would have been easier or cheaper to build something new.
We earn money through intellectual and creative endeavour. The marvellous landscape and the modern building in a historical shell were deliberately chosen. In combination with the open, transparent and communicative interior design concept that has been implemented, we hope to be able to significantly promote inspiration and creativity for our business. Previously, we were located close to the city centre in the Wirkbau. That was also very good as a start-up. But when you grow, you need larger spaces. And an industrial estate was out of the question right from the start. I also like to call the building a think tank. Many business partners say of us: they always come up with something. Now we also have a corresponding figurehead. And honestly, what is more sustainable: a functional new building or a building with 200 years of history and a new use?

How were the first three weeks at the new company headquarters?
It has been very exciting. We wanted to design the building in such a way that it would be ideal for working conditions. The question at the beginning is, of course, how the employees will accept it. And as with any move, it's always an adjustment. But after three weeks, we quickly felt at home here.

In recent years, your workforce has grown from 28 to almost 50. Can you score points with the Chemnitz location?
We employ almost exclusively academics. And we have no problems filling positions. Many come from Chemnitz or the region, from Zwickau, from Dresden. We have a very good specialist and university landscape here, from which we benefit. And we ourselves are working on our reputation as an attractive employer. There aren't that many companies with in-depth expertise in this area.

Which corners of Chemnitz would you show to people from out of town?
For me, Kleinolbersdorf-Altenhain and Rabenstein are wonderful places with a high recreational factor. Rabenstein Castle is still far too little known. I've been there several times for business events. A small idyll with good cuisine. Many people are also amazed by the Kaßberg. And we can score points with our landscape and proximity to the Ore Mountains.

Do you have to encourage the people of Chemnitz to stand by your city?
I think so, yes. When visitors come from far away, they show off the palace world of Dresden again. But I think it would be nicer to show off your own city. The people of Chemnitz could be prouder than they are. Chemnitz is an economically strong city that has the potential to continue to develop well.