cpp: Mr. Kasten, what lay behind Pepperl+Fuchs’ decision to set up the SECs?
Kasten: The starting shot for the construction of the first Solution Engineering Centre at Pepperl+Fuchs was fired in 2006. The focus was on new customer requirements for complete system solutions – including certification – from a single source.
cpp: Why was there such a demand for this? What are the benefits for users?
Kasten: The benefit of this type of ‘one-stop shopping’ for system operators is obvious: in-house engineering of system units can be reduced, leading to significant savings. In addition, this also means there is only one supplier as a contact partner, which greatly simplifies procurement processes.
cpp: Where are your SECs located?
Kasten: The high demand for complete systems with explosion certification was taken into consideration and we meanwhile operate a worldwide network of SECs. Following our SECs in the German town of Bühl near Baden-Baden, Wednesbury in the UK, Burago in Italy, Houston in the U.S. and Singapore, SECs have now also been established in Beijing, Melbourne, Bangalore and various other locations. This means international projects can be managed on-site throughout each phase and executed in close collaboration with the customer. It also alleviates to take local characteristics and market requirements into consideration.
cpp: Which products do the Pepperl+Fuchs SECs offer?
Kasten: The range of solutions offered by the SECs has become very extensive. They extend from conventional interface switch cabinet solutions and remote I/O field units through Fieldconnex fieldbus solutions to terminal boxes or control and distribution panels in accordance with the Ex d, Ex e and Ex p types of protection.
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