Last year, it was announced that Siemens would acquire the drive technology from EBM-Papst. Upon completion of the transaction, we spoke with Frank Golüke, Vice President General Motion Control at Siemens, about the background and objectives.
Frank Golüke, Vice President General Motion Control at Siemens
(Image: Siemens)
Siemens recently spun off its drive division, resulting in Innomotics. Why is it investing in motors and drives again shortly afterward?
Siemens has only sold its low-voltage motor business. Drive technology remains a core business of Siemens Digital Industries. Siemens aims to focus on intelligent drive technologies that are interconnected with other digital solutions within a coherent ecosystem. The industrial drive technology we acquired from EBM-Papst is an excellent addition to Siemens' Motion Control business.
The focus of the portfolio is on intelligent, mechatronic drive systems, now integrated into an environment of strategic importance for the future of Siemens Digital Industries and forming the core of the Siemens brand. The business acquired from EBM-Papst is in the area of extra-low voltage, serving different use cases and end markets than those of Innomotics.
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What does Siemens expect from this motor business?
The integration of the drive portfolio acquired from EBM-Papst into the existing automation portfolio, as well as leveraging Siemens' global sales network, opens up new market opportunities and significant business potential in the field of intelligent, battery-powered drive solutions. The integration of the new portfolio is also key to automating and digitalizing production processes in smart factories. The integrated mechatronic drive systems enhance flexibility, productivity, and efficiency in applications such as conveyor systems and transport systems, autonomous transport systems, and shuttles. The solutions also contribute to improved energy efficiency and enable the realization of new, sustainable factory models.
The acquired "industrial drive technology" (IDT) from EBM-Papst also includes the former Zeitlauf division with gearboxes. Where do these mechanical products fit into the Xcelerator portfolio?
An integral part of the IDT is gearboxes and the associated technology, which are also being integrated into Siemens' Motion Control business, specializing in intelligent motion solutions. The planetary and angle gearboxes are particularly significant in intralogistics, where they help optimize the performance of servo drive systems. Integration into the Xcelerator portfolio means Siemens can offer its customers enhanced functionalities and application-oriented solutions that meet the growing demands of automated logistics.
What will happen to the factories in St. Georgen and Lauf? Will they continue to operate, or are layoffs planned?
The locations in St. Georgen and Lauf a. d. Pegnitz (both located in Germany) will be incorporated into the newly integrated corporate portfolio at Siemens. All employees at the German locations will be retained, and no layoffs are planned.
Where will the products be used in the future?
The products from the acquisition will primarily be used in transport systems and automated shuttle applications. These key segments are crucial for increasing the flexibility of manufacturing processes and building smart factories that meet the challenges of Industry 4.0. The solutions provide significant advancements in automation and enable Siemens to offer market-leading sustainable technologies.
The drive modular system from EBM-Papst is a customer-friendly way to configure the drive, including encoder and gearbox, for specific applications. Can users continue to benefit from this in the "Siemens world"?
Siemens will also utilize the application-oriented solutions of EBM-Papst's drive toolbox to offer its customers customized drive solutions compatible with Simatic automation technology. The drive toolbox thus remains a powerful tool within the Siemens product portfolio, enabling customers to meet specific application needs through a flexible, modular drive configuration.
In what way will the EBM-Papst products be integrated into Siemens? Will there be a new name?
Yes, the integration of EBM-Papst products is being carried out under the Simotics E brand. The expanded portfolio includes two main variants: the Simotics E-1EE1 (brushless inner runners), which are particularly suitable for battery-powered applications in conveyor, storage, and sorting systems, and the Simotics E-1EV1 (brushless outer runners), which impress with high efficiency and compact design in intralogistics. The offering is complemented by suitable gearbox solutions, available exclusively in combination with the Simotics E motors.
A special innovation is the Simotics-E-Argodrive system, developed specifically for the growing demands in intralogistics and automated production. In the Light, Standard, and Heavy variants, it enables omnidirectional, safe, and precise control of autonomous transport vehicles, even with heavy loads.
EBM-Papst: Focus on the core business
Even though the market for drives, especially in conveyor technology and mobile robotics, is growing, EBM-Papst has sold the Industrial Drive Technology (IDT) business unit. The company is consistently implementing the "Shaping the Future Together" corporate strategy introduced in 2022, focusing on its core business of air and heating technology, the transformation of the company toward sustainability and digitalization, and the expansion of its international presence. With the now completed sale of the business unit, the IDT gains international market access through an established sales organization.
In the field of industrial drive technology, the motors are mostly inner rotor motors as part of a modular drive system. For fans (i.e., in air technology), EBM-Papst predominantly uses EC outer rotor motors. The development areas as well as the production for these different motor technologies have always been separate. The company continues to design and manufacture the highly efficient motors for fans itself. This also underscores its role as a technology leader.
EBM-Papst is now focusing on air and heating technology. According to the company, it is benefiting from trends such as electrification (solar inverters, converters, battery storage, charging stations), data centers, and HVAC and refrigeration technology. As also outlined in the corporate strategy, the phase-out of the Household Appliances (HAP) and Automotive (passenger car) business segments remains in place.
Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the EBM-Papst Group: "This sale is a win-win situation for everyone involved: for Siemens, for EBM-Papst, for our customers, and not least for the employees of this division." The company will continue to work with Siemens, as both have known each other for many years. As EBM-Papst explains, it entered into a long-term partnership with Siemens last year to establish a global PLM platform. This platform is intended to help EBM-Papst offer its customers even faster and more effective customized products and solutions in the future.
Dipl.-Ing. Frank Golüke
Frank Golüke studied electrical engineering and electronics in Lemgo. He has been with Siemens for over 28 years, including 25 years in leadership positions and 17 years abroad (Scandinavia and China) for Siemens. Since 2020, he has been responsible as Managing Director for the Motion Control segment at Siemens Digital Industries.
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