How ZF Brandenburg Plotted Life After Combustion Gearboxes

The Challenge

ZF's Brandenburg plant makes manual and dual-clutch gearboxes, about 120,000 units a year. As demand shifts to electric drives the work will dry up. In twelve months we ran the Business Transformation Navigator with staff and external experts. Together we shaped three new business models and built full investment cases, giving the site a clear future path and protecting jobs.

Our Approach

We approached this engagement using our proven four-phase methodology: Diagnose, Design, Deliver, Scale. Beginning with a comprehensive diagnostic — stakeholder interviews, competitive benchmarking and internal capability mapping — we established a clear baseline before any strategic options were proposed.

In the design phase, we co-created strategic options with the leadership team using the St. Gallen Business Model Navigator framework. Each option was stress-tested against real market conditions and validated with external stakeholders. This rigorous process ensured that only the most viable paths forward were pursued.

Results & Impact

The engagement delivered tangible results on multiple levels: strategic clarity for the leadership team, a validated roadmap with clear priorities, and the internal capability to execute independently. Most critically, the organisation left with new ways of thinking that will compound over time.

This case exemplifies the Seconds approach to transformation: grounding every recommendation in rigorous method, maintaining entrepreneurial speed throughout, and ensuring that by the end of the engagement, the client team is stronger — not dependent.