Powering Innovation Through Partnership
Innovation and smart funding go hand in hand at KIRCHHOFF Automotive. For over 18 years, the company has partnered with Ayming Canada to maximize SR&ED tax credit. Together, they have recovered over $18 million in federal and provincial credits, averaging $1 million annually. These funds have supported breakthrough R&D projects, turning bold ideas into tangible innovations that improve mobility safety and efficiency. From remote laser welding and 3D laser scanning to Gen 3 steel development, Ayming has helped KIRCHHOFF Automotive invest in the technologies of tomorrow.
Overcoming R&D Challenges
Automotive R&D is complex. Every project must meet strict government criteria to qualify for SR&ED, and documentation can be time-consuming. KIRCHHOFF Automotive’s internal review process often aligned with these standards, but past claims that were reduced or rejected created uncertainty. Like many innovative companies, they needed expert guidance to capture every eligible dollar and confidently move projects forward. Importantly, they approach R&D with integrity, each project is driven by its own merit, with SR&ED credits viewed as a valuable bonus rather than the deciding factor.
R&D remains core to the DNA of KIRCHHOFF Automotive. Our long-standing partnership with Ayming and their help in securing Canadian government approval for our R&D initiatives have been integral to our success story.
Mark Fabischek, Global Executive Vice President Product Development and R&D
The Ayming Approach
Ayming provides strategic guidance, technical expertise, and financial insight to help KIRCHHOFF Automotive turn complex R&D efforts into measurable results. Their support ensures projects are documented correctly for SR&ED purposes and positioned to deliver real-world innovation.
Key elements of Ayming’s approach include:
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Technical Expertise & Project Framing: Guiding the KIRCHHOFF Automotive’s team to structure projects that clearly demonstrate technological advancement.
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Maximizing Financial Return: Ayming reviews all expenses for them to ensure every eligible cost is captured.
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Identifying Eligible Projects & Programs: Over the past 18 years, Ayming has evaluated several of their prototype and production projects to optimize SR&ED funding.
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Compliance & Audit Readiness: Ayming consistently prepares robust, audit-ready documentation to substantiate all claimed work. This rigorous approach enabled Kirchhoff to successfully defend their projects during their sole SR&ED audit in 2007, with the supporting documentation playing a key role in demonstrating compliance with government standards.
- Turning R&D into Practical Innovations: For more than a decade, we have helped KIRCHHOFF Automotive move projects move from concept to production. This includes laser-welded products, Gen 3 steel B-pillars, aluminum bumpers, 3D laser scanning systems, and MIG weld repair monitors.
Our partnership with Ayming and their invaluable support in managing our SR&ED claims, has been instrumental to our success for more than 15 years.
Larry Hagood, President and CEO KIRCHHOFF Automotive North America
About Kirchhoff Automotive
Founded in 1785, KIRCHHOFF Automotive is a family-owned global leader in designing and supplying body and chassis structures for vehicles. The company’s mission is to make mobility safe while delivering sustainable growth, guided by core values of honesty, reliability, trust, and social responsibility.
Kirchhoff’s long-term focus on innovative R&D, including joining and forming technologies, lightweight design, and cost reduction, aligns perfectly with Ayming’s expertise in technical guidance, SR&ED strategy, and financial optimization. This shared commitment to excellence and innovation has made the partnership successful for over 18 years, enabling Kirchhoff to maintain it’s leadership in automotive safety and efficiency while confidently leveraging government funding to accelerate growth.
Driving Continuous Innovation
Building on this strong foundation, Ayming has supported KIRCHHOFF Automotive in not only claiming tax credits but also reinforcing a culture of innovation, enabling savings to be reinvested into future technologies. Their approach illustrates how strategic R&D decisions can maximize impact while keeping innovation independent, meaningful, and forward-looking. Their story demonstrates how the right guidance can transform complex government programs into a sustainable competitive advantage.
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