Partners of the Future: Fast Forward Project

NEWS | BY KIVNON

Future: Fast Forward project partners have applied to the PERTE VEC with the aim of turning Spain into a European hub for electric vehicles

Barberà del Vallès, May 4, 2022. The partners of the Future: Fast Forward project, led by the Volkswagen Group and SEAT S.A., have today submitted an application to the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation (PERTE) program for the Electric and Connected Vehicle (VEC) initiative, with the goal of transforming Spain into a hub for electric vehicles in Europe. With 62 national and international companies and leading firms from various sectors, it is the largest business consortium in the history of the automotive industry in Spain.

This nationwide project brings together companies from 11 autonomous communities (Andalusia, Aragon, the Basque Country, Cantabria, Castile and León, Catalonia, the Community of Madrid, Extremadura, Galicia, Navarre, and the Valencian Community), 61% of which are SMEs, and together they cover the entire electric vehicle value chain.

The Fast Forward project presented today, in which PwC has collaborated, is based on four main pillars. The core pillar, led by SEAT S.A. and the Volkswagen Group, aims to electrify the Martorell and Pamplona plants. The second pillar of the business group’s project is the creation of the entire battery ecosystem for electric cars in Spain, ranging from lithium extraction in mines to battery assembly, including a battery gigafactory in Sagunto (Valencia).

The third pillar involves the localization in Spain of essential components for electric vehicles, while the fourth covers areas related to training, digitalization, and the circular economy. Overall, the Fast Forward project encompasses the nine blocks of the Electric and Connected Vehicle PERTE.

First meeting of the Future: Fast Forward partners

Last Friday, the association held its first general assembly in Madrid with representatives from all participating members of the Future: Fast Forward project. Marc Riera, Director of Purchasing Strategy and New Projects at SEAT S.A., has been appointed President of the Future: Fast Forward general assembly. This representative body is scheduled to meet at least twice a year.

The members of Future: Fast Forward have formed a Delegate Committee, which will meet regularly to ensure compliance with the PERTE. This committee will also be chaired by Marc Riera.

In addition, in connection with this meeting, three governance committees have been established. The Audit and Supervision Committee will be chaired by Blanca Montero, an economist, independent member of the General Council of the ICO (Official Credit Institute), and member of the Board of Trustees of the Banco Sabadell Foundation. The Risk and Compliance Committee will be chaired by Ignacio González, a lawyer and external advisor to the Board of Directors of Grupo Ferrer International S.A. & UNIRPROEDUCA. There will also be a Financial Committee, chaired by Ferran Rodríguez, an independent external member who currently chairs the Institute of Chartered Accountants. Each of these committees is independent and will report to the general assembly.

The group will also have a Project Management Office (PMO), which will be responsible for closely monitoring the project's progress. The PMO will ensure that the deadlines and budgets for the various investments are met.

KIVNON will develop three new prototypes of automated guided vehicles (AGVs/AMRs) that will automate the process from the preparation of materials in the warehouse to their delivery to the production line. The finished goods will be loaded onto the automated guided vehicles, and the materials will travel in sync with the unit being assembled on the line.

In addition, the risk of workplace injuries and exposure to potential hazards will be reduced, the energy efficiency of processes will be improved, and facilities will be provided with greater flexibility.

Partners of the Future: Fast Forward Project

Altech, Asai Industrial, AZTERLAN, Balidea, BeePlanet Factory, Bosch, Brose, CARTO, CELSA Group, CETIM, CIDETEC, CENIM – CSIC, CERLER Global Electronics, CYP Core, Delta Vigo, ENSO, Feníe Energía, FORMINSA, GCR Group, Gestamp, Glavista, Gonvarri, Grupo Sesé, Grupo Simoldes, Iberdrola, Intrustial, IMS Technology, Ingedetec, University Research Institute (CIRCE) University of Zaragoza, isEazy, ISEND, Kapture.io, Kautenik, Kivnon, Lazpiur, Leartiker, Libelium, Lithium Iberia, Malena Engineering, Mindcaps, Mol-Matric, Motorland Aragón, NTDD, NUTAI, Órbita Ingeniería, Pomceg Electronics, POWER Innotech, Power HoldCo Spain, SEAT CODE, SEAT MÓ, SEAT S.A., Silence, SPR Group, Sumitomo Electric Bordnetze, Técnicas Reunidas, TECOI, Valeo, Vega Chargers, Vicomtech, Volkswagen Navarra, WIP, and Zylk.