METALLGIESSEREI BREUCKMANN GMBH & CO KG

Their core work

Metallgiesserei Breuckmann is a German metal casting SME based in Heiligenhaus, specializing in precision-cast components for electric motors — most notably rotors for e-drive systems. Their core industrial capability is foundry production, applied specifically to the geometry and material requirements of high-performance electric motor rotors used in automotive e-mobility applications. In H2020, they moved beyond contract manufacturing into applied R&D: coordinating a project to develop application-specific rotor production methods that could disrupt conventional rotor supply chains. They also contributed manufacturing know-how to a broader European initiative to eliminate rare earth materials from electric drives.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Breuckmann's two H2020 projects run nearly concurrently (2017 and 2018 starts), so there is no meaningful chronological shift to trace within the EU project record. Both engagements are tightly focused on the same domain: casting-based rotor production for electric drives. What the data does reveal is a deliberate escalation in ambition — they entered H2020 as a manufacturing partner in ReFreeDrive and quickly stepped up to lead coordinator in HPC-rotors, securing nearly nine times more funding. This suggests a company actively building its R&D credentials and IP position in e-mobility, rather than simply executing subcontracts.

Breuckmann appears to be transitioning from a precision casting subcontractor into an innovation-led SME with proprietary rotor production technology — a trajectory that makes them an interesting partner for automotive Tier 1s and e-drive startups seeking manufacturing scale-up.

How they like to work

Breuckmann operates in relatively small consortia (averaging 6 partners per project) and has taken both the coordinator and partner role within consecutive projects, suggesting they are comfortable leading but also pragmatic about when to contribute as a specialist. Their coordinator role in HPC-rotors — an SME Phase 2 instrument — indicates they can manage EU project administration and reporting, not just deliver technical work packages. With 12 unique partners across only 2 projects, they appear to seek out new collaborators rather than reusing a fixed network.

Breuckmann has built a European network of 12 consortium partners spanning 5 countries through just 2 projects, suggesting each project brought in a fresh set of collaborators. Their partnerships likely span automotive OEMs, motor designers, and research institutes given the applied nature of both projects.

What sets them apart

Breuckmann occupies a rare position as a foundry SME that has successfully moved into EU-funded R&D leadership — most metal casting firms remain purely in the supply chain. Their specific focus on electric motor rotors ties a traditional industrial process (metal casting) directly to one of the fastest-growing automotive subsectors, giving them credibility with both manufacturing engineers and e-mobility innovators. For consortia needing a manufacturing-ready partner who can take a rotor from prototype to production-ready casting, Breuckmann offers a combination of shop-floor experience and demonstrated R&D capacity that larger Tier 1 suppliers rarely bring to early-stage projects.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HPC-rotors
  Breuckmann's largest and most strategic project — as coordinator of this €2.2M SME Phase 2 grant, they led the development of a disruptive production process for automotive e-mobility rotors, demonstrating both technical leadership and EU project management capability.
• ReFreeDrive
  Participation in this rare-earth-free e-drive initiative connected Breuckmann to a pan-European effort to break supply chain dependency on critical materials, broadening their profile beyond pure manufacturing into strategic material innovation.