Managing Director Günter Mayer stresses the high competence in power converter production
PCS Power Converter Solutions GmbH
Always empowered
Due to its long years in the power converter market, PCS knows the rail business inside out and is able to develop and supply special inverters and electric equipment for almost any type of rail vehicle. In addition, it provides industry with high performance power converters for various applications.
Since 2005, the company has been developing innovative energy systems used for wind turbines in order to turn energy into electricity and feed it into the grid. It has been the wind power segment in particular that will generate a 15 to 20% growth within the next years and give new impetus to the Berlinbased company.
“At the beginning of 2011, we were able to celebrate our first anniversary under our new corporate name PCS,” says Managing Director Günter Mayer. “However, our history dates back to the year 1843. During all these decades, we have always been based in Berlin.”
In the 19th century, it was Julius Pintsch who won recognition with the production of on-board gaslights for trains. “Against this backdrop, our rail segment has always been a key element of our corporate activities,” stresses Marketing and Key Account Manager RAIL Jens Hirschmann. After the war, the company developed and produced electric equipment for rail vehicles under its former name FAGA Fahrzeugausrüstung Berlin (Berlin Rail Equipment). Until today, more than 70,000 electric equipment systems have been sold worldwide.
Lightweight and compact: Weight and design of power converters are gaining importance, in particular in on top-roof and inside constructions in many vehicles
“Since 1998, we have used our competence in power converter production and control engineering for the construction of highly dynamic automotive test benches,” adds Mr. Mayer. In 1998, the Canadian Bombardier Group acquired the company, before it got independent by the end of 2009. “Since 01.01.2010 we have been operating under PCS Power Converter Solutions GmbH and only recently we moved to our new production site, covering a 15,000 m² (aprox. 161,500 sq ft) production, research and storage area,” explains Mr. Mayer.
Today, PCS employs a workforce of 220 people at its Berlin site and can point to a turnover of 70 million EUR. “We predict that our turnover will amount to 100 million EUR within the next two to three years,” says Mr. Mayer. “The rail market realises a sound growth of 2.5% due to the interesting development of our Asian market presence. The wind energy market will target a growth of 15 to 20%, depending on the political decisions of the coming years.”
The converter market for wind turbines was established in 2005 when PCS set out to develop new energy systems for feeding power into the public electricity grid. Converters provide the necessary grid stability in the wind power area. “This is a market with a high future potential,” states Mr. Hirschmann. “Worldwide, we have sold about 1,500 power converters for wind turbines.” While this segment actually accounts for a 25% share of the total turnover, the production for trains and trams generates about 75%, still presenting the company’s prime segment.
“Our power converters are essential for the flawless functioning of compartment sockets within an ICE, lighting inside a tram or air-conditioning of the underground trains,” explains Mr. Hirschmann. “In other words, from city tram to high-speed train – they all require our power converters.”
PCS can look back onmany prestigious projects which it has realised in recent years. Power converters from PCS can be found in the new BVG tram in Berlin as well as in the trams and underground railways of London, Singapore and Toronto. Rail operators like Deutsche Bahn (German Rail) and those in Austria, the Netherlands and Hungary deploy the latest PCS technology.
With the power converters in rail technology the electricity from overhead lines and power rails can be converted and be used for electrical equipment in rail vehicles. “Our unique selling propositions are standard products with low weights and compact design. Weight and design in particular have become the predominant features, for instance, for in-roof and in-cabin installation, especially for trams,” stresses Mr. Mayer.
In the coming years, PCS aims to address American and Asian customers in particular in order to realise long-term growth and to safeguard employment at its Berlin site. Looking at the current development, one is convinced that this objective will be achieved.
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