The ebm‑papst Group, the world’s leading supplier of fans and motors, offi­cially put its new E-Drive Solu­tion Labs into oper­a­tion in Mulfingen today. After the EMC test center, the testing center and the High­Speed Tech­nical Center for turbo­com­pres­sors, Solu­tion Labs is ebm-papst’s fourth invest­ment in research and devel­op­ment at the company’s head­quar­ters since 2021. The inno­va­tion and devel­op­ment center, which is unique in the industry, brings together different depart­ments under one roof to develop solu­tions for various ebm-papst product ranges.

Inno­v­a­tive solu­tions pave the way for future trends

ebm-papst has invested around 30 million euros in its new Solu­tion Labs facility. It was completed within two years and houses various compe­ten­cies from the E-Drive Solu­tions divi­sion, such as elec­tronics, motors, embedded computing, appli­ca­tion and series devel­op­ment, and inno­va­tion and knowl­edge manage­ment, all under one roof. As Professor Tomas Smetana, Chief Tech­nology Officer, explained: “Solu­tion Labs’ 130 or so employees work closely with all the product devel­op­ment depart­ments involved, from inno­va­tion devel­op­ment to series devel­op­ment. The aim is to develop new inno­v­a­tive solu­tions in areas that will shape the future such as digi­tal­iza­tion, data centers and the heat tran­si­tion.”

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tomas Smetana, Chief Tech­nology Officer ebm-papst Group. (Photo | ebm-papst)

Turbo compres­sors by ebm-papst

Our customers can benefit from our turbo­com­pres­sors in various appli­ca­tions, depending on their require­ments.

High­Speed

Close collab­o­ra­tions also exist with the existing EMC test center and the High­Speed Tech­nical Center in Mulfingen. Solu­tions devel­oped in Solu­tion Labs for pre-series and series prod­ucts are tested, opti­mized and veri­fied in the EMC labo­ra­tory, from the indi­vidual compo­nent to the customer’s final device. The elec­tronics for the compres­sors devel­oped in the High­Speed Tech­nical Center, for example, come from Solu­tion Labs. The concepts and ideas are also used as part of the modular motor system for the various divi­sions and regions of ebm-papst, which then adapt them to their market and its require­ments.

Taking air tech­nology into a new era

Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO of the ebm-papst Group, said at the opening cere­mony: “Working with our employees in Solu­tion Labs, we want to take air tech­nology into a new era and further expand our tech­no­log­ical lead­er­ship. In doing so, we are also increasing the agility and impact of our motor, elec­tronics and soft­ware devel­op­ment, as we are not only bringing together all key specialist areas in one center, but also focusing on digi­tal­iza­tion, AI and sustain­ability – in line with our strategy of ‘Making the Future Together’. I would like to take this oppor­tu­nity to thank everyone involved for their tire­less efforts in estab­lishing this space for future-oriented collab­o­ra­tion and inno­va­tion.”

Working with our employees in Solu­tion Labs, we want to take air tech­nology into a new era and further expand our tech­no­log­ical lead­er­ship.

Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, CEO ebm-papst Group

Speaking at the offi­cial opening, Manuel Hagel, leader of the CDU parlia­men­tary group in the Baden-Würt­tem­berg state parlia­ment, said: “Inno­v­a­tive, effi­cient and a global leader – this is what Baden-Württemberg’s economy is all about thanks to powerful tech­nology leaders and role models like ebm-papst. The future is being made right here in Mulfingen – with a lot of inven­tive­ness and creative power. At ebm-papst, home meets high-tech and hearts meet minds. The company’s success is based on values and the joy of inno­va­tion, as E-Drive Solu­tion Labs makes clear, because this is where enthu­siasm and progress come together.”

“We are consciously investing in Germany and the Hohen­lohe region, as we have the exper­tise (educa­tion, univer­si­ties) here, along­side moti­vated and committed employees. Solu­tion Labs is also very attrac­tive to special­ists, managers and engi­neers,” explained ebm-papst share­holder Jan Philip­piak.

Solu­tion Labs’ 130 or so employees work closely with all the product devel­op­ment depart­ments involved, from inno­va­tion devel­op­ment to series devel­op­ment. (Photo | ebm-papst)

E-Drive Solu­tion Labs is ebm-papst’s fourth invest­ment in research and devel­op­ment at the company’s head­quar­ters since 2021. (Photo | ebm-papst)

One special feature is the archi­tec­ture of the building, which was built on top of an existing produc­tion building so as to save space and ensure sustain­ability. ebm-papst placed great emphasis on short distances between depart­ments and labo­ra­to­ries across the approx­i­mately 3,200 square meters. An open space design also promotes commu­ni­ca­tion and creative exchange between employees. In addi­tion, an energy-effi­cient heating and cooling system with a connec­tion to the new district heating and cooling network and an appro­priate lighting system ensure sustain­ability and comfort.

The ebm-papst testing center

Exclu­sive insights into all test fields

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