The Institute for Production, Logistics and Components brings together under one roof a wide range of teaching and research activities in the areas of production, logistics and components that have already enjoyed a high level of success. The IFPLK thus offers a new organisational platform for the exchange of know-how between universities and non-university research establishments and the Group. The focus is on all topics concerned with production, logistics and components and the related innovations. Alongside cooperation with the innovation platform known as "Resource Efficiency in Production" (Effizienzfabrik), the IFPLK collaborates with the Lower Saxony Research Centre for Vehicle Technology (NFF), a strong partner in production research that is in close proximity to the institute. Events offered by the IFPLK are developed by academics, acknowledged experts and industry practitioners. In addition, research activities leading to dissertations and Bachelor's and Master's theses are under way. Current trends and research findings play a direct role in the development of programme content. Interesting and challenging further education events are offered to the Group in the form of lectures, conferences, courses and study modules. Key areas are topics relating to production technology and economics. The new "Vehicle production" course, which lasts several months, was held for the first time in the autumn of last year. In future it will be held twice per year. The objective of the course is technical and personal networking across all departments from the press shop to assembly and the adjacent indirect areas. New Cooperative Study Modules on the key topics of lightweight construction, electric-vehicle production and sustainable production pass on in-depth know-how in order to establish a uniform level of expertise within the Volkswagen Group. In particular, lightweight construction is an interdisciplinary topic of importance both in the context of product development and with regard to technical issues in the production of lightweight materials. The core objectives of lightweight construction as a key technology are load-bearing structures using "tailor-made" materials and composites that are as lightweight as possible. The electric-vehicle production area has the following key topics: Basic principles Production of the electric motor Production of the high-voltage battery (battery pack) Production of electric vehicles The current topic of increased efficiency in production will be covered by conferences and evening lectures. For instance, selected projects spearheaded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and concerning factory efficiency will be presented in cooperation with Effizienzfabrik. The programme offered by the IFPLK will be rounded off by the two lecture series "Current production topics" and "Trends in production research".