... distinguishes between a leader and a follower.
(Steve Jobs)
Innovation is an integral part of our corporate strategy and one pillar for future growth. Our focus is on innovation projects that meet certain success criteria: it should be market-driven, geared to customers’ needs and aligned to customers’ and our strategic goals.
A key area of innovation is ‘product development’. This field extends from product modifications to disruptive product innovations that can change an entire market.
In MEHLER, the product and process development is managed by a team of technical experts. Their background is diverse, e.g. textile engineering, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. Our clients work closely with our technical experts, who manage the market side of developments, such as the discussion of new ideas and projects, the continuous validation that project results meet customers’ requirements and the technical service after a product has been launched. Internally, a team of experts translate the requirements into new products, production processes, specifications for our suppliers and all required quality control tests across the entire value chain to ensure that the defined requirements are met.
With our knowledge and experience, we contribute to transfer ideas into value-added solutions for the benefit of our customers.
We offer a wide range of yarns and fabrics, which combine high functionality with low weight.
We develop tailor-made fabrics that cover the entire spectrum from standard to highest requirements in terms of fire- and heat-resistance.
We continuously test new high-performance materials developed by our suppliers, as well as new finishes and coatings, and integrate them into our value-added solutions for the market.
Hybrids are combinations of different materials in a twist or fabric. They are powerful because they combine the 'best of two worlds'. Wherever possible, we integrate hybrids in our value-added solutions for specific requirements.
We develop tapes up to a width of 15mm. Our process ensures a twist-free weft in the final fabric to achieve optimum functionality. We can process multiple yarn materials and types, including matrix materials.
The basis of smart textiles is the combination of electronics, IT and textile technology. Applications are diverse and the market for smart textiles is booming. Together with selected customers, we develop smart textiles for a variety of applications.
We offer both RF-free (resorcinol formaldehyde-free) as well as RFL-free (resorcinol formaldehyde latex-free) adhesive solutions to combine textiles with various types of rubber.
With our special weaving equipment, we are able to create 3D structures and multi-layer fabrics.
Our technology is designed to integrate metals and mineral fibers into our weaving process.
We develop technical products for medical applications that require ultra-clean solutions.
We invest continuously and develop our global production network. Our goal is to combine operation and information technology into a network of smart factories and machines.
OLBO & MEHLER takes part in an innovation project called “ThermFire4Woven”. The project is focused on the development of lightweight components with outstanding thermal/fire, chemical and mechanical resistance, mainly for applications in the building and transportation industry. Solutions will be based on advanced textile fiber structures with specific finishes, surface treatments and coatings. A consortium of the following companies and organizations was formed to make this project a success:
Designation of the Project ThermFire4Woven – Advanced finished Fibrous Structures with high thermal efficiency and high fire resistance
Project Code POCI-01-0247-FEDER-033637
Main Objective Reinforcing the research, technological development and innovation
Region North
Beneficiary Entity Olbo & Mehler Tex
Approval Date 24.04.2018
Period 30.04.2018 – 29.04.2021
Total eligible cost 1.113.167,55 €
Our innovation process is structured as an end-to-end process. It starts and ends with our customer. The innovation power of MEHLER and its innovation network is strong. In addition to intense cooperation with our customers, we develop innovative solutions together with institutes, universities and selected partner companies and suppliers.
Our product development process is systematic and structured. We use an Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) framework, which is widely used in the automotive industry and in other highly complex markets. There are many benefits, such as the continuous feedback from customers on all key stages of the development process, complete transparency into our project portfolio, early identification of critical situations, and lowest possible ‘time-to-market’.
Our two R&D centers are located in our headquarters in Fulda / Germany and in our production plant in Famalicão / Portugal.
