With ÖLFLEX® CONNECT CABLES, we offer you the right cable assembly solution – regardless of the application. For over 30 years, our dedicated and highly qualified expert team of engineers, technicians, sales, and service employees have been coming up with tailor-made preassembled cable solutions – from the design phase to the creation of the prototype to production and quality control. We care for everything and develop tailored cable assemblies for you with our robust ÖLFLEX® CONNECT CABLES – always with the highest quality. This gives you more time for what’s essential: your core business!
Our comprehensive inventory of cables, plug connectors, and accessories that we have developed enables us to respond quickly and flexibly to your requirements – from smaller orders to large-scale projects. You get complete connection solutions with us from a single source, from a simple cable with a plug connector or spiral cable to a fully assembled cable harness. This simplifies the ordering process and reduces the work you must put in. Thanks to our cable assemblies, you also have less cutting loss, coil residue, and packaging work, as we deliver directly to where the products are needed.
We also offer you an expert all-around service. Our experts are on hand to support you, from needs analysis and design concept to prototype development right through to needs-based assembly and quality control. No matter what industry you work in, our system engineers know all the special applications and use their in-depth knowledge to develop your individual cable assemblies.
Our product range stretches from single cores and multi-core cables to EMC-shielded cables, all of which can be fitted with a wide selection of crimp contacts, plugs, and housings.
The benefits to you
You minimize the procedures, time, and human resources required
Fewer suppliers mean fewer resources must be devoted to registration, inspection, and storage
Lower costs due to lower cutting loss, coil residue, and packaging work.
All-round service
Take advantage of our expert all-around service and concentrate on your core business.
It is with great enthusiasm that we are pleased to present an exciting new feature for everyone – our long-awaited latest newsletter! We’re excited to share valuable information, industry trends, and updates directly in your inbox.
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At Lapp Policabos, we believe that connection goes beyond physical cables. We’re here to connect you to the knowledge that drives the future.
In a world increasingly dependent on connectivity, the importance of electrical and optical cables is undeniable. At Lapp Policabos we recognize that the role of connectors and accessories in cable systems is often underestimated. These components play a crucial role in the quality, durability, and reliability of all cable installations.
In this article, we will explore in depth how connectors and accessories play a vital role in ensuring optimum performance.
The Invisible Connection
Connectors and accessories are the invisible links that keep a cable system working effectively. They are responsible for connecting the main cables, enabling the transmission of power and data, and ensuring that the system functions as a whole. Although they seem like small and simple components, their importance should not be underestimated.
Reliability and durability
Reliability is a critical factor in any cable installation. Interruption or failure in the transmission of energy or data can have serious consequences, from financial losses to security risks. This is where connectors and accessories play a key role.
Secure connections
High-quality connectors ensure secure and reliable connections between cables. This prevents transmission failures and signal loss, resulting in a more stable system.
Weather and Wear Protection
Accessories, including Lapp Policabos protection solutions such as protective covers and seals, help protect connections from damage caused by exposure to the environment, such as humidity, dust and temperature variations. This contributes to the durability of the system.
Efficiency in action
Well-chosen connectors and accessories not only ensure reliability, but also contribute to the overall efficiency of the cable installation.
Ease of Maintenance
Easy-to-maintain connectors make problem detection and correction simpler, reducing downtime and associated costs.
Flexibility and Scalability
Choosing the right connectors and accessories can allow the cable system to be expanded and modified with ease, which is especially important in constantly changing environments.
Proper Selection and Installation
The proper selection and installation of connectors and accessories play a critical role in ensuring a reliable installation. Here are some essential guidelines:
Choosing Quality Connectors
Opt for high-quality connectors that meet the technical specifications required for the application.
Suitability for the Environment
Consider the environment where the cables will be installed and choose accessories that adequately protect against adverse environmental factors.
Professional Installation
Ensure that the installation of connectors and accessories is carried out by qualified professionals to avoid future problems.
Preventive Maintenance
Implement a preventive maintenance program that includes regular inspection of connectors and accessories to ensure they work properly.
Connectors and accessories are the invisible pillars of reliability in cable installations, as they ensure that power flows without interruption and that data is transmitted effectively. By paying due attention to these vital components and choosing them carefully, you can ensure the durability, efficiency, and reliability of your cable installations.
Lapp Policabos has a solid reputation in the cable and connectivity equipment market and is renowned for supplying the best quality equipment. Committed to excellence and innovation, Lapp Policabos invests in research and development to ensure that its products meet or exceed the highest industry standards. The company makes it a priority to offer technical solutions that not only meet the needs of its customers but also ensure durability, reliability, and superior performance in all cable installations.
The revolution in the electrical cable industry is about to happen! We are excited to announce the arrival of the new price list for electrical cable accessories. Get ready for a new era of efficiency and quality.
In the power cable industry, innovation is the key to maintaining efficiency and safety. With our new accessories price list, you’ll have access to:
Competitive prices: We offer prices adapted to market needs, ensuring that you get the best quality for the best price.
Premium accessories: Our range of accessories incorporates state-of-the-art technologies that keep pace with advances in electrical wiring, ensuring that you have the latest solutions.
Flexibility and variety: We offer a wide range of options, allowing you to choose the accessories that perfectly suit your specific projects and requirements.
The new price list for accessories aims to meet your needs more efficiently and economically. If you are a professional electrician, a project engineer or an entrepreneur who relies on the quality of the electrical connection, this is the opportunity to take your activity to the next level.
At Lapp Policabos, we are committed to providing our customers with high-quality solutions and exceptional service. The new price list on electrical cable accessories is our latest initiative to fulfill this promise
Visit our website and discover all the electrical and optical cables, connectors and accessories we have to offer. We look forward to accompanying you on this journey and are available to answer any questions you may have.
In this article, we will highlight the copper solutions featured in the new POLILAN catalog, which offers advanced products to meet the demands of modern communication networks.
Cat6 and Cat6A Cables: Ensuring Performance and Reliability
POLILAN offers a wide range of copper cables, most notably Cat6 and Cat6A cables. These cables are designed to provide impressive data transmission speeds and ensure the performance required in cable installations. With the increasing demand for bandwidth and faster transfer speeds, Cat6 and Cat6A cables are ideal choices for modern communication networks.
Different Armoring Types to Meet Specific Needs
We understand that every cable installation is unique and requires solutions tailored to your specific needs. That is why we offer different types of shielding on our copper cables. From unshielded to fully shielded cables, customers have the flexibility to choose the most suitable solution to ensure signal integrity and minimize electromagnetic interference. At Lapp Policabos, we are committed to providing versatile options to meet the challenges of modern cable installations.
Benefits of POLILAN Copper Solutions
By choosing POLILAN copper cables, customers enjoy several significant benefits. First of all, our advanced solutions offer impressive data transmission speeds, ensuring that communication networks operate efficiently and quickly. In addition, the ability to choose different types of shielding allows cable installations to be tailored to the specific needs of each project. Lapp Policabos is proud to provide technical solutions that meet the growing communications industry demands.
In the world of modern communication networks, reliable and high-quality solutions are essential. At Lapp Policabos, we are committed to providing technical solutions in the field of cable installations. With the new POLILAN communication network infrastructure catalog, we highlight copper solutions, offering advanced products that ensure performance and reliability.
Our Cat6 and Cat6A cables, with different types of shielding, give customers the flexibility to choose the solution best suited to their specific needs. Through advanced manufacturing techniques, our copper cables offer impressive data transmission speeds while minimizing interference and maximizing the efficiency of your installations. Trust Lapp Policabos to provide the copper solutions you need for your communication cable installations.
In today’s world, where communication plays a crucial role in all spheres of society, it is essential to have efficient and reliable solutions for data transmission. In this context, fiber optics has emerged as a revolutionary technology capable of providing superior speed, bandwidth, and security compared to traditional cables.
The Fiber Optic Revolution
Fiber optic technology is based on transmitting information through pulses of light that travel through ultra-thin glass or plastic fibers. This approach surpasses the limitations of conventional copper cables, enabling significantly faster data transmission speeds and greater bandwidth capacity. Fiber optics are immune to electromagnetic interference, ensuring a stable and reliable connection.
The POLILAN catalog features a wide selection of optical cables, including distribution, drop, backbone, and splicing cables. These cables are manufactured using high-quality materials and advanced technology to ensure superior performance. They are designed to meet the demands of modern applications such as data networks, telecommunications networks, and video transmission systems.
2. Specialized Connectors and Accessories
In addition to optical cables, POLILAN also offers a variety of connectors and accessories that complement their fiber optic solutions. High-precision fiber optic connectors ensure reliable connections with low signal loss. Accessories such as termination boxes, splice trays, and adapters provide a complete solution for installing and maintaining fiber optic networks.
Technical Resources and Guides
The catalog also includes technical resources and practical guides to assist customers in properly selecting and installing POLILAN’s fiber optic solutions. These resources provide detailed information on product technical specifications, installation guidelines, maintenance best practices, and other relevant information.
Fiber optics has revolutionized modern communications by offering unparalleled data transmission speeds, wide bandwidth, and superior reliability. With the POLILAN new catalog of network infrastructures, businesses and professionals can access complete solutions for fiber optic applications, ranging from high-quality cables to specialized connectors and accessories. Regardless of the project’s size or complexity, POLILAN provides the technical solutions for reliable and efficient fiber optic installations.
Invest in POLILAN’s fiber optic solutions and experience a new level of performance and reliability in your communication networks. Consult the new catalog of network infrastructures for more information and discover how these solutions can drive your business forward.
The Executive Board of Lapp Holding SE (from left to right): Jan Ciliax, Matthias Lapp, Georg Stawowy and Dr Christoph Hiller.
Stuttgart, March 2, 2023 – Despite geopolitical and economic challenges, the Lapp Group has once again successfully completed the past fiscal year 2021/2022 (October 1 to September 30). Sales of the global market leader for integrated solutions in the field of cable and connectivity technology climbed by 31.0 percent to 1,864 million euros. The number of employees increased by 10.2 percent to 5,055 worldwide as of the reporting date September 30, 2022. Earnings before taxes (EBT) increased to 132.9 million euros.
“We have turned over a new leaf at LAPP and positioned our company to be robust and fit for the future in a difficult environment. At the core of our transformation are the continuous strengthening of our innovative power, a special focus on services, and a comprehensive cultural change that makes our company even faster, more agile, and more sustainable”, emphasizes Matthias Lapp, CEO of the Lapp Group. Matthias Lapp is realistic about the current fiscal year (2022/2023). “Together with our customers and partners, last year was a real challenge. We expect this to continue – we are consistently investing in the future.”
Fundamentally sound net assets and financial position
In the past fiscal year 2021/2022, LAPP once again exceeded the sales growth achieved in fiscal year 2020/21. Sales increased by 441 million euros (+31.0 percent) to 1,864 million euros. The increase in the average copper price contributed around 6.5 percent to this sales growth, as did currency developments (+1.9 percent). Adjusted for these copper and currency effects, there was still a significant increase in sales of 22.6 percent. “This growth was mainly due to higher capacities and market share gains in our focus markets combined with increased market prices. Added to this were general catch-up effects along the supply chains”, explains CFO Jan Ciliax.
The group made strong gains in all three of LAPP’s regions. EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa), the most important region accounting for around two-thirds of group sales, improved by 29.4 percent to 1,352 million euros. In the Americas region (USA, Mexico, Canada, South America), sales soared to 192 million euros – an increase of 40.2 percent. And in the APAC region (Asia, Pacific, Oceania), sales climbed 32.7 percent to 320 million euros. Moreover, as LAPP’s average order intake for the year was +6.5 percent higher than sales, the order backlog at the balance sheet date of September 30, 2022, increased to €356 million, significantly higher than at the same date last year.
Earnings before taxes (EBT) increased to 132.9 million euros and return on sales by 1.5 percentage points to 7.1 percent. Significant pressure on margins due to increased material and logistics costs was offset by improved capacity utilization in the factories and only a disproportionately low increase in personnel and other expenses. At 44.0 percent, the equity ratio was up on the previous year and thus remained at a consistently high level. “LAPP’s net assets and financial position remain rock solid, allowing us to continue implementing strategic measures and investments for the benefit of our customers in the coming years”, affirms Jan Ciliax.
Overview
FY 2020/2021
FY 2021/2022
Change
Total Turnover (million Euros)
1.423
1.864
31 %
Earnings before taxes (million Euros)
82,4
132,9
61,3 %
Employees worldwide
4.586
5.055
10,2 %
Equity ratio %
42.3
44.0
1,7 %-points
Pillars for change at LAPP
LAPP has undergone major changes in recent years. Under the leadership of Matthias Lapp, previously responsible for the top selling EMEA region and CEO of Lapp Group since October 1, 2022, the course for a successful future has been set in all relevant areas of the company and new, bold developments have been initiated. “To continue growing successfully, our family-owned company needs a breath of fresh air and strong entrepreneurship. We want to be ahead technologically and culturally. To do this, we must keep putting ourselves to the test. In view of the current changes in the economy and society, this is no easy task, but it is all the more important”, said Matthias Lapp. The central pillars of change are:
1. High investment in digitization
LAPP invested in intangible assets and property, plant and equipment even more in the past fiscal year, at EUR 40.2 million (previous year: EUR 25.8 million). The focus was on software acquisitions and digitization projects as well as the further expansion of the ERP system in order to further optimize automation and processes in the areas of finance, human resources, manufacturing, supply chain, services and procurement. An important milestone in the digital transformation is the go live of the new Online Shop and customer portal, which is continuously being expanded and further developed in terms of functionalities. Last but not least, LAPP has pushed ahead with the expansion and further automation of the production plants in France, Germany, India and China.
The new tubular strander in the Stuttgart production plant.
2. Pioneering new technologies and services
LAPP positions itself as an innovative solution provider and technology leader. To this end, the family-owned company has reorganized the area of global research and development as well as the management of laboratory and test center activities. Thus, LAPP has once again succeeded in occupying economic and industrial trend topics with innovations:
With zeroCM® technology, unwanted interference currents in industrial plants can be prevented.
With the Health Check Service, LAPP is expanding its service offering for customers. The service helps to preventively minimize the risk of industrial machine failures.
The multi-award-winning MOBILITY DOCK enables an e-car to be charged at any household socket using any Type 2 charging cable.
“At the same time, we have further expanded our portfolio in our strategically important area of Industrial Communication. In this area alone, we were able to achieve significant, disproportionate sales growth compared to the Lapp Group as a whole”, adds Georg Stawowy, Chief Innovation and Technology Officer.
One important focus is the expansion of digital sales. “In a customer-centric solutions business, we have to pay particular attention to establishing the right processes and offering customers added value”, emphasizes Dr. Christoph Hiller, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. LAPP’s core market continues to be mechanical and plant engineering. Other important sales markets are infrastructure, the food industry, logistics and, within the energy sector, especially photovoltaics and mobility. Some examples:
High-bay warehouse in the Ludwigsburg Logistics and Service Centre.
Developing together with customers
Using fast prototyping, the LAPP Singapore team develops solutions in the field of intralogistics together with a major international customer. Traditionally, elaborate samples are first constructed and tested in the development process. Today, physical samples are created using 3D printing to verify haptics, optics, handling, and assembly in production and at the customer’s site. This accelerates the innovation process.
700 kilometers of cable for mega airport
In November 2024, Korea’s Incheon Airport is expected to be the third largest international airport in the world with a handling capacity of 106 million travelers per year. LAPP’s connectivity solutions will guarantee safe and reliable operations at the 60 new passenger boarding bridges and the baggage handling system, which will cover a conveying distance of 184 kilometers when completed. In total, the LAPP Korea team has already supplied 700 kilometers of cable.
Future markets of alternative energy sources
In addition to connectivity solutions for photovoltaics and wind, demand is increasing worldwide for alternative energy storage systems & energy sources: For the Korean company LG Energy Solution, leading manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems, LAPP supplied 338 kilometers of cable for 393 energy storage systems.
For the Dutch company Nedstack, leading supplier of high-performance fuel cell solutions, LAPP developed customized “plug and play” assembly solutions for different fuel cell systems. The customer was thus able to reduce its costs and standardize the cabling.
Hydrogen technology is also an exciting future topic for LAPP. For the company Maximator Hydrogen, leading manufacturer of hydrogen filling stations, LAPP supplied customized connectivity solutions that meet the high safety requirements, especially with regard to explosion protection.
4. Employee motivation through culture change
Due to the strong order situation and the ambitious goals of the Strategy 2027, LAPP has significantly increased the number of employees. As of September 30, 2022, LAPP had 5,055 employees worldwide – 10.2 percent more than the previous year. “We want to attract, develop and retain the best talent in our industry for LAPP. This is only possible with a culture of constant adaptation and lifelong learning”, says Matthias Lapp. “This is also reflected in the organizational structure with new, global and cross-functional cooperation. Only in this way can we succeed in being even more powerful and faster on the market.”
An important building block in the company’s change process is the cultural change that LAPP initiated four years ago. And it has been successful: in the mood barometer, for example, the proportion of satisfied employees has risen by 12.8 percent to 87.5 percent. And the most important indicator of employer attractiveness – the likelihood of recommendation – recorded an increase of 10 percent. “I am pleased that our efforts are being recognized and rewarded. But we still have a long way to go. We need to grow closer together globally as a group. Although we started early, we are still at the beginning of the transformation”, says Matthias Lapp.
5. The path to sustainability
On the market side, LAPP is positioning itself in the area of sustainability and offers products specifically for the solar and wind energy industry, for rail transport and for the charging infrastructure of electric cars. A central credo is: Start with yourself. All LAPP national companies worldwide are encouraged to operate their buildings or plants as energy-efficiently as possible. Wherever possible, the sites purchase green electricity or operate their own PV systems.
The concept of sustainability also plays an important role in logistics. Decentralized warehouses and delivery partnerships are used to minimize transport routes. For example, truck capacity utilization has been increased from 60% to 80% and transport distances have been reduced by a third. However, LAPP’s commitment to sustainability also focuses in particular on the product and the manufacturing process. LAPP is committed to the efficient use of raw materials and the environmentally compatible handling of chemicals and waste.
Outlook for the current fiscal year 2022/2023
Increased inflation rates, continuing uncertainties regarding material availability, and the economic and social impact of geopolitical tensions will continue to shape the current fiscal year. “Despite these challenging conditions, we are encouraged by the continuing good demand situation and a high order backlog”, says Matthias Lapp, adding, “The flexibility of our supply chain was a key success factor in the past fiscal year. We will continue to expand this.” Added to this are consistent investments in establishing a global sales, procurement, and production network. Just as consistently, LAPP also intends to continue investing in digitalization, innovation, sustainability. “And above all in our employees, who make all the difference”, emphasizes Matthias Lapp. For the current fiscal year 2022/2023, the company is currently assuming a further moderate increase in sales.
A motor cable (SERVO, VFD) contains three phase conductors and one PA, is capacitance-optimised and has braided shielding.
What is a frequency converter and what is it required for?
The introduction of frequency converters into industrial plants began in the early 1970s. Until then, it was only possible to operate electric motors directly on the grid and thus at defined speeds. If an electric motor, e.g. an asynchronous machine, is operated directly on the grid (50Hz), a fixed speed is set, known as the nominal speed, based on the grid frequency and the pole number of the motor. In the past, where different speeds were required due to the application, mechanical gears were used. Some readers may remember what was known as the “delta changeover”. This was used to limit the power of the motor at the moment it is switched on in the case of directly operated motors.
A frequency converter is required to operate an electric motor efficiently and at variable speeds.
What do variable motor speeds have in common with energy savings?
The option of continuously adjusting the motor speed offers an opportunity to save energy in many applications with different loads. For example, fans or pumps are only rarely operated at nominal power or speed. If a lower pumping capacity or conveyor volume is required, the frequency converter can easily reduce the power. Another advantage of using frequency converters (compared to motors that operate statically on the grid) is the improved process control of drives or machines thanks to the variable speed, which can often increase precision, quality and throughput.
Anyone who thinks that frequency converters can only be found in an industrial environment is mistaken. They have also long been used in the private sector. For example, frequency-converter-controlled motors with controlled speed can be found in kitchen machines, clothes dryers or heating or circulating pumps. Frequency converters are also found in electric vehicles in a modified form; however, they are operated with battery power, i.e. direct voltage.
How does a frequency converter work?
A frequency converter (AKA variable frequency drive) is a device that generates another alternating current with a different frequency and/or amplitude from an alternating current. A frequency converter typically consists of three components:
Rectifier → the input mains alternating voltage is converted into a direct voltage here. This is normally done with a semiconductor bridge rectifier.
DC intermediate circuit → intermediate voltage (= direct voltage) from which the inverter is supplied. Components for signal filtering are often found in the intermediate circuit to, for example, comply with the normative limit values regarding electromagnetic compatibility.The typical intermediate circuit voltage for a three-phase connection is 565 V DC.
Inverter → semiconductor switching elements, e.g. transistors, that are controlled by pulse-width modulation (PWM for short). Any current sequences can be mimicked by “skilful” control of the switching elements. The current at the frequency converter output supplies the electric motor and is an alternating current with a sinusoidal course and variable frequency.
What is pulse-width modulation?
Pulse-width modulation is a square-wave signal with a constant pulse duration, which oscillates between two constant voltage values (in our example, half the intermediate circuit voltage +/- 1/2*UZ). The duty cycle, i.e. the ratio of pulse width to break width, varies here. Depending on the variant, different signal forms can be imitated. If an effective value is formed from the “hacked” PWM signal, the signal form corresponds to a sinusoidal alternating voltage.
The major advantage of PW modulation is the high efficiency, as the transistors can be operated in efficient switching mode. In contrast, operation in amplifier mode would be more technically complex and generate more losses, as too much power would be converted into heat.
Incidentally, inverters for PV systems, digital Hi-Fi amplifiers and speed controllers for brushless motors in RC model construction also work according to this principle.
What is special about our ÖLFLEX® VFD or SERVO cables
Alongside the described benefits of variable speed control and the high saving potential, the PW modulation explained above unfortunately also has undesirable side effects. As a result, high voltages are switched from plus to zero volts within a few nano seconds. In the switching process itself, transients are formed, which can spread through electromagnetic couplings within the system, but also within our ÖLFLEX® motor cables. These high-frequency interference currents can stray through the factory earthing system and have a negative impact on the transmission quality of, for example, parallel data cables. However, these problems can be avoided through special cable designs, special insulation materials, and installation by trained specialist personnel.
Outlook – which new developments are in the pipeline?
In today’s day-to-day industrial environment, almost all motors are controlled using frequency converters. The number of these drive trains will increase sharply, particularly in the small power classes. One reason for this is the low price, which makes gears for multi-axial drives unprofitable. In addition, logistics and handling applications increase the need for small drives and frequency converters.
In terms of technology, there are new developments in the field of semiconductors. For example, the innovative silicon carbide transistors (SiC) can be used to significantly reduce energy losses within frequency converters. This means that devices in the same power classes can be constructed much smaller in the future, as less heat loss needs to be discharged.
In the last few years, sustainability has become a buzzword that we encounter everywhere. For LAPP, however, sustainability is not a trend, but a duty. In order to further advance the topic, a central position was created in LAPP Holding AG in the spring of 2022. The LAPPConnect editorial team spoke with Global CSR Manager Maria Dobritzsch.
Maria Dobritzsch, CSR manager at LAPP
Why was this new position created?
Maria: Sustainability is firmly anchored in LAPP’s thinking and actions. And currently there is a lot of movement in this area. The legal requirements are becoming more and more extensive and complex, our customers are increasingly demanding information on our sustainability goals, and our banks are also taking our sustainability performance into account when calculating interest rates and carrying out risk assessments. The newly created position centrally manages the topic of sustainability at LAPP.
How sustainable is LAPP already today?
Maria: Sustainability has been defined as one of the five breakthrough goals of our corporate strategy. The focus of our activities is on our products and their manufacturing processes. Here, the carbon footprint plays an important role. To calculate this, LAPP Product Management recently introduced its own software. The goal is to reduce the CO2 footprint by 20% by 2025. Our resource management plays a major role here, as copper is responsible for the majority of CO2 emissions in the production of our cables. It is therefore particularly important that we pay attention to low-carbon production of the copper. To this end, we are in close contact with our copper suppliers and find out how their production and supply chains are set up. In addition, the colleagues look at other components of the cable. For example, they examine the sheathing and check whether bio-based composite materials or recycled plastics can be used. It is always important that the quality of our products remains guaranteed.
What has LAPP already done in recent years to address the issue of sustainability?
Maria: A lot has already been done. For example, analyses have been carried out on the subject of “green copper” and data collected on our copper purchasing throughout Europe. We’re picking up where we left off and want to continue this process globally. Our national companies are not idle either. Some have replaced old light sources and used LEDs in recent years, while others are relying on photovoltaic systems.
At our production site in Bangalore (India), 90% of the electricity required is covered by our own photovoltaic system. Speaking of electricity, we consistently purchase green electricity in Stuttgart.
How are employees motivated to be more sustainable?
Maria: In previous months, we have carried out various campaigns to raise awareness of sustainability among all our colleagues. At our global Learn Challenge at the end of 2021, we collected many ideas. For example, we focused on climate change and social sustainability. Another special highlight was the Sustainability Hackathon at the beginning of the year. Here, interdisciplinary teams worked on various issues related to sustainability. Exciting ideas were discussed, such as awarding an internal sustainability prize.
Is there a particular goal we are working towards in terms of sustainability?
Maria: My big goal is to be able to present a regular sustainability report for the entire Group. The first step is a kick-off workshop in Stuttgart and the establishment of a sustainability steering group. The plan is for this committee to bring together colleagues from different areas of the company on a regular basis to define sustainability goals for the company and to initiate projects. Another essential building block for comprehensive sustainability reporting is the introduction of suitable software. This will take place before the end of 2022. Finally, it is becoming increasingly important to define, collect and evaluate sustainability indicators. For example, water and energy consumption, waste volumes and gender ratios can be used for this purpose. Initially, the software will be tested at the Stuttgart site. In the long term, a global rollout is planned. We aim to present the first sustainability report for Germany as early as the end of 2023.
The Dutch manufacturer of industrial sawing machines, Harwi, is known for the durability, quality and user-friendliness of its products. To increase its own productivity and simplify assembly, Harwi opted for tailored cable assemblies from LAPP. This saves the machine manufacturer four hours per constructed machine, which sums up to an additional machine every two to three weeks. In addition, the installation of the sawing machines on site has been noticeably simplified and the risk of incorrect cabling is reduced.
Safety, ergonomics and health – these are Harwi’s current development goals for the industrial sawing machines they have been constructing since 1960. The company from Helmond in the Netherlands is also known for its extremely durable products: “We know that there are Harwi sawing machines that have been in use since my birth, i.e. for over 35 or 40 years,” says Adrian van Mensvoort, Managing Director of Harwi. Three years ago, Adrian took over the management of Harwi as part of a generational handover in the long-established company. Although the robust, high-quality machines are highly rated on the market, he left no stone unturned when it came to finding ways to further optimise their quality and durability.
Robust sawing machines for a safe and ergonomic work environment
Since its founding in 1960, Harwi has made a name for itself with robust, easy-to-use and high-quality sawing machines for the wood processing industry, but Harwi has also long been associated with renowned DIY brands such as Praxis, Gamma and Bouwmaat. Alongside durability and ergonomics, Harwi also stands out by producing all important types of sawing machine: vertical sawing machines, radial sawing machines and circular sawing machines. “Circular sawing machines are definitely our speciality,” says Adriaan, “but our quality standards apply equally to all types of sawing machines that we manufacture.” The machines make their way to customers via a large network of dealers around the world who also take care of installation and service.
“When I became the new Managing Director, I knew that the company urgently needed innovation and development,” says Adriaan. “It was important to me to check all suppliers and dealers we work with and ensure that their services and products correspond to our newly established core values.” Harwi’s main goal has always been to supply machines for a safe and ergonomic work environment, a guiding factor in all technical and service decisions. “We want our machines to make life easier and convenient for everyone involved, from design and installation to the many years of use,” adds Adrian. “And we noticed that connection solutions were an aspect where improvement would make a big difference in this respect.”
LAPP cable assemblies make design and installation considerably easier
Before the change in management, Harwi ordered cables and connectors as individual items. During the construction of a machine, employees took what they needed from the warehouse at their own discretion. “This worked because we had and still have qualified employees, but it was not particularly efficient with regard to either assembly time or storage,” explains Adriaan. “And this made installation harder for the customer than it ought to be.” Harwi sawing machines are delivered in two parts which must be assembled on site. This also includes connecting the saw motor to the control unit. “Until recently, this meant opening a junction box and manually wiring several power cables,” says Adriaan. “It was a complex process that required a trained eye and if even one of these many cables was connected incorrectly, the saw blade turned in the wrong direction or not at all.”
Adrian approached Harwi’s long-standing partner LAPP and asked for a solution. Cable assemblies quickly proved to be the ideal solution. LAPP now supplies all necessary cables and connectors for every Harwi sawing machine as a complete, pre-assembled package. Alongside significant time savings in assembly, this also means that Harwi no longer needs specialists for this task – a major advantage in the face of increasing skilled worker shortages. Last but not least, this has made the installation process easier: instead of the previous complex process, service personnel simply has to click in one cable bundle during assembly and the cabling is complete. “This makes life much easier for our dealers,” emphasised Adrian, “and it greatly reduces customer complaints about their machine not working properly.”
Full trust in LAPP
Under different circumstances, Adriaan might have felt unsure about deciding to switch to pre-assembled cable assemblies: “Outsourcing something as essential as cable assemblies requires a certain degree of trust in the manufacturer, as you become quite dependent. But we have complete trust in LAPP.” The fact that LAPP has been a supplier to Harwi for many years has helped develop a relationship of trust. “LAPP works closely with its customers and both the sales and engineering teams understand our needs,” says Adriaan. “We noticed their enthusiasm when it came to finding a solution tailored to our application – and they did just that. And they always take our feedback on board for improvements. That is exactly the type of relationship that we are looking for with a supplier and we will definitely continue maintaining this partnership in the future.”
