The partnership was enhanced during the inauguration of the new manufacturing facility for Panel Solutions: Alexander Bürkle is now the first “Rittal + Eplan Application Center Partner” in the world, increasing the industry’s level of digitalization.
Consistently digital from engineering to machining and wiring: the future of panel building and switchgear manufacturing is already happening here and now. Or, to be more precise, in Malterdingen, Baden, Germany. This is where Alexander Bürkle panel solutions inaugurated its new and ultra-modern production centre while implementing the full capabilities of its partners Eplan and Rittal.
Partner in panel building and switchgear manufacturing in the Application Centers
“As a Rittal and Eplan Application Center Partner, we will take our long-standing collaboration to a new level for the benefit of our customers. We are delighted that you have placed your trust in us,” says Klemens Isenmann, managing director at Alexander Bürkle GmbH & Co. KG, responsible for UB. smart industries.
“With its extensive know-how about Eplan and the practical transfer to automation, Alexander Bürkle is the ideal first partner for the new programme,” says Thomas Weichsel, Vice President Software Portfolio at Eplan.
Uwe Scharf, Managing Director Sales Germany at Rittal, explains the approach: “It’s about more than just a seal of quality and competence. The partners are making it possible to experience digitisation in panel building and switchgear manufacturing live in practice in the Application Centers. Customers can contribute their own projects and test which efficiency benefits are possible in the workflow with the combination of software and hardware. This way, our partners are becoming cross-company multipliers in the digitisation and automation of the industry. That is exactly what we want to take forward with different levels of partners.”
Setting the pace for digital transformation
This is already taking place at Alexander Bürkle’s new production centre. “Due to our roots in wholesale, we recognised the strengths of digital article data at an early stage and expanded the benefits for engineering with Eplan,” explains Thomas Basler, Managing Director at Alexander Bürkle panel solutions. Today, the electrotechnical wholesaler has been a technology service provider for a long time; the digital workflow in Malterdingen is going much further. Processing machines automatically use the data for the appropriate cut-outs, while the software supports wiring and assembly. The results are not only a far greater speed and the need for less staff during the process; a complete digital twin is created along with the system. Customers can continue to use it when operating the systems.
“The entire industry is under great pressure to be efficient. The main optimisation potential lies in the work processes, especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers. We are convinced it is time to share our experiences with it,” says Klemens Isenmann.
Uwe Scharf affirms: “The more companies follow the example of doers like Alexander Bürkle, the more likely the transformation will succeed. The panel builders and switchgear manufacturers have a key function, not only in mechanical engineering. Industry needs high speed, standardised quality, also for energy infrastructure and building technology. With partners like Alexander Bürkle and our new programme, we will drive this development forward.”
