Research
Success
StoriesJanuary 2012

“Funded by the EU”: a seal that opens
doors“Odyssey” is what comes to mind when one hears the story of how theLEAP-project grew from idea to implementation – including, fortunately, a
happy ending for the crew, ETH Zurich and four enterprises.
The aim of the LEAP project is to

Soon they found that it is notinvestigate how to increase

implemented at all, so theyefficiency

product

wanted to share their knowl-

development processes. To thisedge of the concept with Euro-end,

the swiss Center forpean companies, start pilot

Automotive Research of ETH

projects and evaluate them toZurichinnewworks

ABOUT THE PROJECT
LEAP stands for “Lean Development –new principles for innovation management and a more time and cost efficientdevelopment of novel products”. The
ideal that “lean” management aims for:the right production process for the rightproduct at the right time, satisfying consumers’ needs, without waste, without
glitches or redundancies and with collaborators who continuously improve theprocess and product. The swiss Centerfor Automotive Research of ETH Zurichshares its knowledge of this conceptwithfoursee whether, when and how thecompanies

fromconcept could be put into prac-GmbH, Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH, By-

Switzerland, Liechtenstein andtice in Europe.

stronic Laser AG and ThyssenKrupp Pre-Germany. Such collaboration

The team applied for funding

sta AG. Together, they find ways to apply

betweenunder the “Industry Academia

lean management principles, originating

Partnerships

from Japan, in the development of new

automotive

tions

researchandorganiza-

enterprises

financedbythe“IndustryAcademiaisEuropeanDr Anja Schulze
ETH Zurich
LEAP Coordinator

Partner-andPathways”

scheme. Their first application

with four automotive companies: Behrproducts in Europe.

was rejected. A revised applica-

ships and Pathways” fundingtion, then, was accepted inscheme. The start of the project was less2008 – just as the crisis hit the automotive

Having other priorities, three of four partners

than easy, but now yields distinct benefits.

industry.

retreated. New partners had to be found at a

A difficult journey
Initially, the ETH team wanted to investigate how the concept of Lean Manage-“It is amazing how this “fundedby the EU”-seal helps to opendoors.”

time of crisis, and the European Commission
had to be convinced of the necessity andquality of the new partners. After all of this,an administrative hurdle concerning employ-ment is implemented in product develop-

ment contracts and taxes almost stopped thement in Europe.

project in the last minute. Fortunately, thishurdle was overcome with the help of Eure-

FACTS AND FIGURES
Project Name:search, and the project could finally start.
LEAP (Lean Development – new principles for innovation management and a more time and cost efficientdevelopment of novel products)

Marie Curie Action:

FP7-PEOPLE-IAPP-2008 Marie Curie Action“Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways”

Coordinator:

Anja Schulze

Organisation:

ETH ZurichStart Date - End Date:

2010/01/01 – 2013/12/31

Duration:

48 months

Project Cost:

913061 €The benefits“It is amazing how this ‘funded by the EU’seal helps to open doors”, says the project’s
coordinator Anja Schulze. Not only, but also
thanks to this “seal of quality” the ETH team
was able to visit and talk to people whorarely give interviews and to invite excellent
experts for workshops and conferences. The
companies, on the other hand, gain access tothe ETH team’s knowledge and extend theirprofessional network and expertise.

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