From components – to systems supplier to Energy Supplier: What is the journey?

Under the slogan “What is the journey” the HOPPECKE Group invited journalists from various European countries to an information event on 27th and 28th October 2010.

For over 80 years the HOPPECKE Group has proved to be a steadily growing concern, distinguished above all by high quality aspirations and innovative thinking. In 2009 HOPPECKE approved its strategy document “Mission 2015”, which provides for its development from a supplier of components, via a systems provider, to a supplier of energy.

So that words may follow deeds, the event began on 27th October with the viewing of HOPPECKE traction energy systems in the FIEGE Rhein-Ruhr Logistics Centre and at TechnoCargo Logistics in Neuss, Germany. With the building of the new Logistics Centre in 2008, FIEGE gave HOPPECKE the task of designing and setting up turnkey decentralised and centralised charging stations with the aim of optimising internal logistical pathways while minimising operating costs.

Following detailed analysis and customised structural design work HOPPECKE installed turnkey central charging stations in two of the warehouses. The choice of locations depended upon the operating patterns and the working locations of the industrial trucks being used. To avoid long journeys, the charging stations were installed within close proximity of the loading bays.

Through the use of HOPPECKE trak® power premium charge battery chargers, trak® air batteries and trak® Xchange battery changeover systems, it was possible to achieve considerable reductions in operating costs (energy consumption and staff costs) as compared with the existing equipment which was being used. Electrical installation, assembly, initial operation and instruction were undertaken by expert personnel from HOPPECKE. Following the installation, servicing and maintenance have been entrusted to HOPPECKE Service.

With the HOPPECKE turnkey solution, Fiege have been able to:

  • Optimise internal logistical pathways
  • Reduce staffing costs – the changeover of large batteries can now be made quickly and directly by the driver without the need for additional staff
  • Cut energy costs – through the use of the HOPPECKE trak® power HF charging system in combination with trak® air (electrolyte circulation system), energy consumption could be lowered by up to 30%
  • Increase safety of operation

The following day started with a personal welcome to Hoppecke from Dr. Marc Zoellner, Chief Executive of the HOPPECKE Group.

“We have a clearly defined corporate strategy in which we wish to establish ourselves over the next 5 years as the market leader in sustainable energy solutions in our target markets“ explained Dr. Marc Zoellner at the presentation of Mission 2015
“We offer our customers all over the world complete solutions for an efficient, reliable and sustainable energy supply. Our offer includes consumption-based kWh billing, the payment of a monthly flat rate or the operation of complete charging stations, in part with customer personnel” added Ergün Özcan, Managing Director for Traction Energy Systems.

A two-hour guided tour of the production facility gave participants an informative insight into the production of lead-acid batteries.

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