The EPLAN UK division was recently recognised for its achievements in 2013 by being awarded with two EPLAN Group awards including ‘Top Company Performance’ and ‘Highest Company Growth’. The continued success is attributed to the focused approach the UK team is placing on selling and marketing the company’s software solutions. EPLAN offers a complete engineering package, including training and consultancy to enhance the engineering process for customers.
Globally EPLAN has more than 40,000 customers, over 100,000 installations in more than 50 countries and over 700 employees. EPLAN is set to create more than 100 additional jobs by the end of 2014 and is opening three new subsidiaries in Japan, South Africa and Turkey, proving the success of the company, which began as a three-man venture in 1984.
“Our market for CAE solutions is the world,” stated Maximilian Brandl, president of EPLAN. He added, “EPLAN is positioned as a global company and I see huge opportunities in growth markets around the world.” EPLAN is already present in more than 50 countries. Greater expansion is planned for growth markets in the USA, China, India, Japan and here in the UK. Investments in the provision of supporting services have ensured the continual growth of the solutions business. Extensive services offerings including consulting, implementation and support now make up a substantial portion of EPLAN’s revenue. And the bar for growth has been set quite high; EPLAN is aiming for substantial double-digit growth in 2014 as well – and the creation of more than 100 additional jobs.
The Friedhelm Loh Group is also making considerable investments in software and engineering. Cideon, a SAP system integrator and Autodesk Reseller with about 500 employees, joined the group in September 2013. “Mechanical and electrical engineering are merging into mechatronics,” said Friedhelm Loh, owner of the Friedhelm Loh Group. He explainedthe group’s vision: “As a rule, Industry 4.0 scenarios require many elements; from software to interfaces through to automation.” Friedhelm Loh first invested in EPLAN back in 1986 (when it was still known as Wiechers & Partner) because he recognised an opportunity. Today he is specifically steering the Friedhelm Loh Group in the direction of optimised value chains: “Our customers expect potential improvements and savings from us, and that’s something we can achieve with Industry 4.0. In this context, the strong service network of EPLAN, Cideon, Rittal and Kiesling is an excellent foundation for increasing our customers’ added value.”
What began in 1984 by substituting paper and ink with a PC and software has continued to develop. With EPLAN Engineering Centre and the automatic configuration of machine documentation based on modular design, EPLAN’s experts have launched new technology. And with the EPLAN Platform, customers in machine and plant engineering, in the automotive and transport sectors, in mechanics and automation and even in medical and energy technology also benefit from the increased efficiency of product development processes brought by standardised procedures, automated processes and continuous workflows.
