Are you ready?
Project challenges
REE was seeking a clear path to manufacturing in high volume with an ambitious timescale.
Business challenge
Sustainability & Net Zero
Sector
Power & Energy
Technology or capability
Automation & Robotics
MTC deploys its proven maturity assessment process to support the launch of volume manufacturing
REE Automotive aims to disrupt the market with its revolutionary electric vehicle platform and REEcorner assemblies. To support this ambitious goal MTC conducted a Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Level (TMRL) assessment. This innovative tool establishes how mature products and processes are for market entry and readiness for volume manufacture.
The Challenge
REE was seeking a clear path to manufacturing in high volume with an ambitious timescale, and were eager to seek expert validation of their in-house assessment of product and process readiness.
MTC's Solution
Concentrating on the REE corner unit, which will be the first assembly to be manufactured in volume, MTC used the TMRL tool to establish how ready for market the product itself was and how ready the company was for manufacture. The TMRL assessment provides an objective view of the business and its preparedness to move to full manufacturing.
Working openly and honestly with REE's team through a pre-determined set of questions, MTC established the current state of the technology and manufacturing processes. MTC's assessment includes analysis of product development progress against criteria such as design and validation of prototypes, with the assessment considering cost, supply chain, quality and operational maturity. Independent scoring was applied to each category within the assessment.
The level of detail and rigor in the TMRL assessment can be a difficult process to navigate, with the great support from MTC this process was made easy. A big thank you to the Manufacturing Technology Centre team.
Dean Higgins, Vice-President Operations - REE Automotive
The Outcome
The TMRL assessment helped the client identify improvement opportunities and verify that their own perceived gaps lined up with the project's intended next steps. The deep dive assessment, with the support of MTC's specialist engineers, helped the business identify an action plan as it drew up a route to market.
Benefits to the Client
The TMRL provided evidence of eligibility for further funding. The exercise demonstrated what a powerful tool the assessment is, helping the business with its strategy to achieve its objectives.
REE has seen the power of the TMRL assessment as a rapid method of gaining a clear view of the current state of the business and the necessary steps to achieve its future vision. Due to the successful use of TMRL in this project, further similar assessments were requested.
Dr Ian Surry, Senior Advisor - MTC
