On the life and works of Prof. Dr. Franz Pischinger:
After completing his engineering studies, Pischinger became a science assistant to the chair of internal combustion engines and thermodynamics at Graz Technical University and completed his doctorate there in 1954. In 1958, after a post-doctoral study in the field of thermodynamics and internal combustion engines, he took over the management of the research department of a leading engineering service provider in Graz. From 1962 to 1970, he worked at Klöckner Humboldt Deutz AG, ultimately as manager of engine development.
In 1970, Pischinger moved to Aachen where he became a Professor for Applied Thermodynamics and Director of the Institute for Thermodynamics at RWTH Aachen. Until 1997, he passed on his knowledge and experience in the area of internal combustion engines and applied thermodynamics to approximately 9,000 students. Meanwhile, during the course of many research projects he led, more than 200 of his students completed their doctorate degrees as “Dr.-Ing” under Pischinger’s guidance.
In 1978, Pischinger founded FEV in Aachen. The company had humble beginnings in a converted flat in the Augustinergasse, which was the home of FEV’s first four-person engineering team. The company quickly grew into a world-leading development partner for the engine and vehicle industry. In 2003, Franz Pischinger handed over the operational management of FEV to his son and business partner Professor Stefan Pischinger, who followed his father into the Institute at the RWTH.
Today, FEV has about 4,000 employees who reside at more than 35 sites around the world. The world headquarters are located in Aachen. The company is involved in nearly every field of mobility innovation throughout the world.
Professor Dr. techn. Dr. e.h. Franz Pischinger receives the Aachen Engineering Award
FEV-founder receives award recognizing a life in the service of automotive progress on the celebration of his 85th birthday
This year’s recipient of the Aachen Engineering Award, Professor Dr. Franz Pischinger, celebrated his 85th birthday on September 11, 2015 (Source: Peter Winandy)
Aachen – Professor Franz Pischinger had two reasons to celebrate on September 11, 2015. He was awarded the prestigious 2015 Aachen Engineering Award recognizing his life’s work and continuous presence as a role model for aspiring scientists and developers. The achievements of FEV’s founder were also honored by around 500 invited guests from research, politics and the automotive industry during an industry expert symposium that was followed by a banquet around the occasion of his 85th birthday.
“One of the most important motivations for a developer is to be present through the entire journey from idea to innovation. It was this fundamental construct that made my father want to bring research and commerce closer together. As a result, starting in 1978, FEV became his life’s work,” said Professor Stefan Pischinger, President and CEO of FEV Group, at the celebration. “He passed on to me his enthusiasm for progressive automotive technology and, particularly, for optimizing drive units. Like my father, this has also become one of the most important motivations in my daily life.”
Expert lectures and words of praise
Professor Franz Pischinger‘s 85th birthday celebration reflected the advances in automotive technology throughout his lifetime. During an afternoon expert symposium, Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament, personally addressed Professor Pischinger and honored his lifetime of achievements from a European policy perspective, describing Professor Pischinger’s exemplary service and key role in forming the cooperation between research and economics as well as his initiative to found FEV.
Dr. Heinz-Jakob Neußer, member of the Volkswagen Board of Management, spoke on “The future of the car – technological challenges for research and development” under the consideration of future mobility.
The keynote addresses were accompanied by a presentation by Professor Stefan Pischinger that provided an overview of FEV’s development and future initiatives within the FEV Group.
Research meets development
The 85-year old Pischinger was delighted by the recognition and congratulations from his industry colleagues and, most particularly, by the special honor of being awarded the Aachen Engineering Award. “As a scientist, engineer and businessman, I have been lucky enough to witness very important automotive innovations both in research and development. I hope that my life’s work also inspires other, younger engineers and potential entrepreneurs to succeed not only with knowledge but also with boldness and wit.“
Aachen, with the presence of the RWTH, the annual Aachen colloquium on Vehicle and Engine Technology, and the world headquarters of FEV, has become a second home for the Austrian-born professor, not only professionally, but also privately. The honor associated with receiving the Aachen Engineering Award is a fitting exclamation on Professor Pischinger’s long and successful career as an educator, scientist, engineer and businessman.
About FEV
The FEV Group with headquarters in Aachen, Germany, is an internationally recognized development service provider for drive and vehicle technologies. The company offers its global transport industry customers a complete range of engineering services, providing support in the design, analysis and prototyping for powertrain and transmission development, as well as vehicle integration, calibration and homologation for advanced internal combustion gasoline-, diesel-, and alternative-fuelled powertrains. FEV's competencies also include design, development and prototyping of innovative vehicle concepts, powertrain electronic control systems and hybrid-electric engine concepts that address future emission and fuel economy standards. The Test Systems division is a global supplier of advanced test cell, instrumentation and test equipment. The FEV Group employs a staff of over 4,000 highly skilled specialists at advanced technical centers on three continents.
