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Study Trip of the Entrepreneurship Specialisation

2024-10-17 16:45:00

At the beginning of the fall semester, the students and lecturers from the Business Administration bachelor's program, Entrepreneurship specialisation, visited Győr. The Corvinus University of Budapest, the Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BKIK), and the Young Enterprise Support Society (IVE) supported the professional program.
Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem

The students participated in the following professional programs: 

  • visit the factory of Audi Hungária Plc., 
  • visit to AquaComet Ltd., 
  • visit to Rábalux Plc., 
  • visit to the handball hall of Audi Arena Győr 
  • visit to the Innovation Park at the University of Győr and sightseeing in Győr, 
  • visit to CHH Műszaki Ltd., 
  • visit to STS Service Ltd. 

Here’s how our students described the visited companies and the professional programs: 

 

Audi Hungária 

The first stop on the trip was the Audi Hungaria factory complex in Győr. The group was split into two, so the students could participate in the factory tour in smaller groups at different times. The program began with a presentation about the factory’s dynamic development history and the models and parts produced in Győr for the global market. We also learned about the German car manufacturer’s significant role in the economy of Győr and the region. Afterwards, the tour started across the vast factory site. The body production process is one of the key operations at the Győr facility. We saw how giant rolls of aluminium sheets, weighing several tons, are delivered and formed into the characteristic body parts by 25-ton pressing machines. Walking through the enormous buildings, we encountered many fascinating sights, particularly the giant robotic arms, which captured the group’s attention the most. It was impressive to see these multi-meter robots working quickly and seamlessly without any human intervention. As we exited the factory building, we were greeted by many completed Audi Q3 and Q3 Sportback models. These two models are the pride of the Győr factory. It’s astounding to think that these thousands of cars will soon be loaded onto trains and shipped to owners anywhere in the world. 

 

Rábalux 

After the Audi factory, we headed to the industrial park in Győr, where we first visited the Rábalux company site. The company’s CEO, Kálmán Baksa, gave us an insightful presentation on Rábalux’s history, present, and future challenges.  
The RÁBALUX brand, with over three decades of history, is supported by an international group headquartered in Győr, one of Hungary’s fastest-growing cities. Today, Rábalux is a key player in the Central and Eastern European residential lighting market. This is due to their 10 sales subsidiaries, an Asian sourcing and quality assurance office, and exports to an additional 15 countries. Their 15.000 m² regional logistics centre, opened in 2002, handles over 200.000 pallets annually, supporting their growing international partner network. Their annually renewed product range includes over 2.000 products, which are designed with an emphasis on offering items that meet current trends, technological innovations, and changing consumer needs, in addition to traditional solutions. The Rábalux team is dedicated to creating new and unique solutions in both technological and aesthetic terms, as their passion for lamps has remained strong for over 30 years.  
It was fascinating to observe the various stages of the company’s growth. What started as a family business grew to the point where the roles of owner and manager separated. The founding family brought in external professionals to further develop the company and withdrew from operational duties. After the presentation, we were given a closer look at the lamps that make up their product portfolio.  

 

AquaComet 

While one half of the group was visiting the Audi factory, the other half went to the AquaComet pool factory, where we had the opportunity to learn about the complete manufacturing process of pools and pool covers. AquaComet has held a leading position in the Hungarian pool industry for several years and is present in international markets with its export products. The management of pools and pool covers are separate in the company. We first met with the managing director of the pool covers, who gave us a detailed introduction to the company and even showed us a finished pool cover. It was fascinating to see how durable such a structure is, able to withstand nearly any weather condition, winter or summer. We even tried to break a plastic cover with a hammer, but to our surprise, it didn’t even get a scratch, no matter how hard the boys tried to damage it.  

Afterward, we walked to the pool factory with the managing director of that division, where the pools are made. Here, we first saw the finished pools, which were ready for transportation and installation. There were many different varieties in size, shape, and colour (mostly white, grey, or blue) lined up in the factory area. Our tour continued inside, where we saw the pool moulds, which are coated with a special material to form the pools. We also checked out the painting section, where the final touches were made. After this, we had to hurry to the next exciting program. 

 

Audi Arena Győr 

After lunch, the entire group visited the Audi Arena Győr. During the tour of the arena, we learned many interesting details about the arena’s operations and management, and we saw where the old and new facilities connect. We checked out the VIP box, where we had a completely different view of the field. It was particularly interesting to see how the modular seating system allows for up to three training sessions to take place simultaneously in the arena, maximizing the use of space. We also watched a youth practice, where we saw the dedication of the young players. The tour also took us to the display cabinets, where the trophies reminded us of the sporting successes achieved here. Finally, we cheered on a bit at the Győr VS. Budaörs youth women’s handball match. 

 

Innovation Park at the University of Győr 

The group visited the Innovation Park of the university together, which was a truly inspiring experience. During our visit, we attended a short presentation that provided a detailed overview of the center’s operations and the ongoing research and development projects. The lecture highlighted the institution’s crucial role in promoting innovation and collaborating with companies. The highlight of the event was when we got to go up to the roof of the building, offering a breathtaking panorama of Győr, giving us a unique view of the city from a bird’s eye perspective. Afterwards, we attended a team-building dinner in the downtown. 

 

CHH Műszaki Ltd. 

On the second day, we visited the CHH Műszaki Ltd., where we gained valuable insight into the company’s operations. During the visit, the CEO and founder gave us a detailed presentation about the company’s activities and operational processes. It was particularly interesting to hear about the topic of inheritance, giving us a glimpse into how they plan for the company’s future with the next generation. Afterwards, the director’s son gave us a tour of the factory, where we saw the production processes and the company’s technological developments. The visit had a personal, family-like atmosphere, while the company’s innovative approach was also remarkable. 

 

STS Service Ltd. 

The second stop on Friday’s program was STS Service Ltd., where we had another exciting and informative visit. The company’s staff provided a detailed presentation of their operations, giving us an insight into the world of solar energy systems and energy efficiency. It was especially interesting to learn that STS not only installs solar panels but also works with the latest energy storage technologies, which play a key role in sustainable energy use in Hungary. During the presentation, we were introduced to the latest trends in the solar energy market and gained a comprehensive understanding of the country’s energy efficiency efforts. We also learned that, due to the company’s dynamic growth, they have already outgrown their current location, which is quite impressive considering the company’s young age. This growth indicates that STS Service Ltd. has great potential in the market and could become a significant competitor in the renewable energy sector. 

 

Summary 

During the trip, students had the opportunity to meet with companies and leaders from various sizes, histories, and industries –often including the founders– and see firsthand the complex processes required for the daily operations and growth of a company. In one case, the next generation was actively involved in the factory visit, providing an even more personal experience as they were closer in age to the students.  
The professional study trip was an excellent team-building experience for the students of the Entrepreneurship specialisation, and they were also able to deepen their professional relationship with the lecturers at the beginning of the semester.  
According to feedback, the trip was incredibly valuable. Students particularly appreciated the diversity of the companies, which offered new perspectives on economic and entrepreneurial thinking. This experience could prove to be a significant advantage for them in the competitive market after graduation. 

Thank you for the university’s financial support! 

Authors of the report: Lőrinc Nagy, Réka Vécsey, Albert Trauttwein, Ágoston Zimmer 

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