How early can you recruit future engineers?

Menzel Elektromotoren offers a behind-the-scenes look at its motor manufacturing facility in coloring-book form

July 8, 2026

2 min read

Based on photographs from Menzel's shop floor, the coloring book offers a vivid glimpse into the world of large electric motor manufacturing.

Hoping to inspire future generations of engineers, Menzel Elektromotoren has published a coloring book about industrial motor manufacturing. Illustrations based on photographs from the shop floor invite children to discover how large electric motors are made and develop an early interest in engineering and technology (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Illustrations based on actual shop-floor photographs can inspire children’s interest in large motor manufacturing.

And there’s nothing prohibiting adults from picking up a crayon or colored pencil.

Menzel Elektromotoren is making its case for a career in electric motor engineering, even to the youngest generation. The Berlin-based company has taken an original approach and has published a coloring book about its work. Children of preschool and elementary-school age can explore how large industrial motors are built (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Children as young as preschool age can explore how large industrial motors are built via a fun activity like coloring.

“The coloring book is meant to bring children joy and spark curiosity about technology along the way,” says Anja Leipold, head of marketing at Menzel. “We already partner with schools in our region to raise awareness of motor technology and attract young people to apprenticeship programs. Our industry is vital to every branch of manufacturing and the economy. It’s never too early to get the next generation interested in what we do. Who better than a motor manufacturer to show what goes into building, testing, servicing and repairing electric motors?”

The coloring book portrays a varied line of work at the intersection of skilled trades, electrical and mechanical engineering and industrial production at the Menzel headquarters in Berlin, which opened on May 14, 2024, the 120th anniversary of the birth of the company’s founder, Kurt Menzel. The illustrations are based on photographs from the shop floor and depict the manufacture of large electric motors in precise detail (Figure 3).

Figure 3: The coloring book portrays skilled trades, electrical and mechanical engineering and industrial production, based on detailed photos that depict the manufacture of large electric motors.

Family-run Menzel, now in its third generation and approaching its centennial anniversary in 2027, trains young people as electrical machine and drive systems technicians every year.