KTM opens R&D center in Germany
KTM in July held the grand opening for its new R&D Center in Rosenheim, Germany. The site’s focus is on electronics development in the motorcycle segment — from ideas to preliminary development, prototype design and the implementation of new processes right through to innovative concepts. Systems that facilitate digital connectivity between the rider and motorcycle, and following on from that, interconnected vehicles for long-term accident prevention (connected motorcycles), are being developed there.
“As a premium manufacturer in the motorcycle segment, we place particular emphasis on the area of research and development. New products and the constant implementation of technical innovations enable us to meet the high expectations of our customers and open up new markets on a long-term basis,” said Philipp Habsburg, head of the KTM Research & Development department. “In 2016, KTM AG invested around 110 million euros in model development and the infrastructure of the Mattighofen and Munderfing sites, and thus, further strengthened and expanded the Austrian location. With the opening of the new KTM R&D Center in Rosenheim, we are continuing this trend in Germany.”
The new KTM R&D Center covers an area of 438 square meters and can accommodate up to 30 employees. It is part of the KTM R&D department in Mattighofen and also reports to this site.
“The idea of opening a new site came to us around two years ago,” said site manager Klaus Krumpholz. “We have taken on seven members of staff already, and I am looking forward to expanding the Rosenheim site.”
More than 480 staff members are employed at the R&D department in Mattighofen. The staff recruited for the Rosenheim site make up a completely new team. An important selection criterion for Rosenheim was the existence of a local higher education institution and the resulting availability of competent development engineers in the region.
