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Finalists for the German Sustainability Award are announced, Schaeffler and Alstom form partnership, NSK opens Romanian subsidiary, Ringspann expands, SMC joins IDTA and Wittenstein grabs Moog Brno.

Here you will find the most important news from drive technology companies for the month of September.

The finalists for the German Sustainability Award 2024 have been announced

In the second round of judging, 224 independent expert jurors from research, associations, consulting and civil society decided on the role models for change in the German economy. In the experts' view, the finalists have made particularly effective, successful and exemplary contributions to transformation in their sectors. They represent a joint effort that unites rather than divides all companies in an industry.

The German Sustainability Award honors ecological and social commitment in 100 sectors. The prizes will be awarded on Thursday, November 28, 2024, as part of the 17th German Sustainability Day at the Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf. For drive technology, the categories "Motors and turbines" and "Hydraulics, pumps and compressors" are of particular interest. EBM-Papst, MTU, Nordex and Vestas are nominated in the "Engines and Turbines" category.

Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the EBM-Papst Group, commented on reaching the final: "This is a great confirmation for all of us at EBM-Papst that we are doing a lot of things right in terms of sustainability. And also an incentive to continue to work hard on climate protection and all other ESG issues." The finalists in the "Hydraulics, Pumps and Compressors" category include: Gross, Grundfos and Wilo.

Schaeffler and Alstom enter into partnership

Schaeffler and Alstom (a provider of mobility solutions) have signed a partnership as part of the Innotrans 2024 trade fair: Schaeffler will become a partner of the Alstom Alliance program in the field of rolling bearing technology with immediate effect. The drive technology specialist has been supplying Alstom for many years with wheelset bearings including housings, drive bearings for railroad gearboxes and motors as well as slewing rings for metro trains and streetcars. In the field of rolling bearing technology, Schaeffler is the only partner company in the Alstom Alliance. In the long term, both companies aim to use the partnership to further expand their businesses, develop new technologies and promote joint growth. "The partnership will enable a long-term exchange of experience and knowledge, which will primarily benefit the development and design of rolling bearings and thus in turn contribute to reliable and safe rail transportation," says Sascha Zaps, Member of the Executive Board Bearings & Industrial Solutions at Schaeffler.

Alstrom launched the Alliance Program in 2015 to build long-term partnerships with strategic suppliers. Schaeffler is currently expanding its range of remanufacturing services in order to support Alstom as regionally as possible with this service and contribute to the train manufacturer's sustainability goals. After all, the closed-loop system is also one of the key approaches to more sustainable management in rail transportation. Warehouse reconditioning enables significant resource savings of up to 95 percent, depending on the degree of reconditioning.

Ringspann expands in the heavy-duty sector

After Ringspann acquired the US clutch manufacturer AISCO in 2023 and also integrated numerous new series of industrial brakes into its portfolio, the company is now announcing the next decision in its long-term growth strategy: On September 1, 2024, the company acquired the medium-sized company Kempf Universal Cardan Shafts GmbH.

The Bad Homburg-based company is thus realizing three projects: Firstly, it is taking a major step towards its goal of doubling its turnover in the coupling sector by 2029. Secondly, by integrating Kempf's product range, it is expanding its offering to include numerous established series of heavy-duty universal joint shafts. In particular, this will strengthen its international market position as a supplier to plant manufacturers in the steel, paper and gas extraction industries. And thirdly, with the production plant in Gersfeld, the group has an additional production site in Germany.

"We can well imagine setting up a European competence and technology center here in the future for the development, manufacture and provision of articulated, gear and steel band couplings for use in the drive systems of heavy-duty applications," says Managing Director Fabian Maurer.

Kempf Universal Cardan Shafts has a high level of vertical integration, particularly in CNC metalworking and gearing technology. The new member of the group will operate under the name RINGSPANN Kempf GmbH. The management of the company will remain in the proven hands of Managing Director Jochen Helfrich and his authorized representatives, Chief Designer Matthias Trabert and Purchasing Manager Alexander Walter. The 34-strong workforce will also be taken over in full.

SMC joins IDTA

Automation specialist and pneumatics supplier SMC has joined the Industrial Digital Twin Association (IDTA). The company hopes that its membership will bring major benefits for the digital future. In particular, membership should ensure that SMC is always up to date with the latest digital twins and at the same time has the opportunity to actively shape their further development.

A digital twin connects physical industrial products with the digital world and precisely reproduces their properties and behavior virtually. However, a common understanding between all industry players, associations and research institutions is required for the successful implementation and international dissemination of this core technology of Industry 4.0.

The IDTA acts as a central point of contact for all stakeholders. In particular, it provides the necessary specifications for the Asset Administration Shell (AAS) - the standard digital representation of an asset. This is the cornerstone for the interoperability of Industry 4.0 components within Industry 4.0 systems. The AAS is therefore of enormous importance for the digitalization of value chains worldwide.

To facilitate the seamless data exchange of its components with customers and partners, SMC is currently developing an AAS-based solution that stores all relevant product information throughout its lifecycle, including 3D CAD data. The plan now is to work closely with the IDTA community on standardization and the development of relevant digital twin submodels.

NSK opens subsidiary in Romania

NSK Europe is opening a branch in Ploiesti, Romania. The office, which the drive technology provider has established as part of the European Industrial Business Unit's geographical expansion strategy, is expected to be fully operational by the end of September 2024.

Plans for our own site in Romania have been underway for two years. A presence in this dynamic country with rapidly developing industrial markets was high on the list of priorities, especially as the location also offers the opportunity to expand business in neighboring countries in Southeast Europe. Ploiesti itself is one of the largest industrial centers in Romania and is conveniently located close to Bucharest airport.

The new office will provide customer service and broader technical support for customers in Romania. This applies to the entire product range, with high demand expected for rolling bearings in particular, especially heavy bearings for the basic industries (steel, cement, quarries, mining, etc.), given the structure of Romanian industry.

Valentin Blanaru, who has been with the company for fifteen years, will head up the new office as Territory Manager Romania. "I am looking forward to taking on this responsibility. My tasks will include building a competent and committed local team that is able to support existing customers in the areas of sales, technology and customer service as well as advising potential customers."

NSK intends to offer a complete range of services from Ploiesti. The company will also relaunch the AIP value-added programme in Romania, which aims to work closely with certified dealers and jointly optimize rolling bearing applications for customers.

Valentin Blanaru will report to Maciej Piatkowski, OEM Director of NSK's European Industrial Division. Maciej Piatkowski comments on the objectives of establishing the office: "We have identified Romania as a rapidly developing and attractive market for us."

Wittenstein reaches for Moog Brno

Wittenstein, the specialist for cybertronic motion, intends to expand its range of solutions for rotary and linear servo motors and servo actuators: Wittenstein Cyber Motor (a wholly owned subsidiary of Wittenstein) plans to acquire Moog Brno and all associated products on October 1, 2024. Moog Brno is based in Brno, Czech Republic, and is currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Moog. Wittenstein and Moog signed a corresponding agreement on Monday, September 2, 2024. The intended final closing is subject to, among other things, antitrust approvals.

The Brno site produces rotary and linear servo motors and actuators, which are primarily used in mechanical and plant engineering. Wittenstein CEO Dr. Bertram Hoffmann is delighted with the successful conclusion of the negotiations: "We see great potential for synergies. The motors and actuators from Brno would be a strong addition to Wittenstein's existing range of solutions," he commented. Moog is a global developer, manufacturer and integrator of precision control components and systems.