The technology company is present on many military platforms, acting as a supplier for “European Sky Shield” and the Boxer armored vehicle.

The managing director of the technology company VINCORION in Wedel, Dr. Stefan Stenzel, is looking forward to 2024 with a positive outlook: “We have a lot of exciting projects in the works and have already delivered for major Bundeswehr armor projects. Our company’s turnover and net income will continue to increase,” explains Stenzel. He expects sales to grow in 2024.

VINCORION specializes in the provision of military energy supplies and has been operating independently since mid-2022. The company offers a range of modern generators for mobile use in the armed forces. VINCORION also supplies the energy systems of the Patriot and IRIS-T air defenses. Important components for power supply and weapon stabilization in armored vehicles such as the “Leopard 2”, the “Puma”, and the “Boxer” are also manufactured by the medium-sized industrial company, which has sites in Wedel, Altenstadt, and Essen.

Air defense in the “European Sky Shield”

For Stenzel, a currently important project in the defense sector in Europe is the development of the “European Sky Shield”: “Protection against air attacks, whether by fighter aircraft, long-range missiles and ballistic missiles, or cruise missiles, artillery, and drones, is of outstanding importance,” says the Managing Director.

“The European Sky Shield initiative is developing an integrated, multi-layered ground-based air defense system for as many European countries as possible. From a German perspective, it will be based on three platforms: IRIS-T, the “Patriot” system, and Arrow 3. VINCORION plays an important role here by supplying both IRIS-T and Patriot with tactical electrical power and enabling these systems to operate completely independently of public infrastructure in the field.”

Stenzel emphasizes that VINCORION’s new energy supply solutions follow the guiding principle of “Green Defense”: In addition to the benefits in terms of CO2 emissions, “green military solutions” ensure a reduction in logistics requirements, which in turn saves emissions, means less capacity is tied up, and increases the safety of soldiers.

The “Zeitenwende” must continue

Stefan Stenzel urges politicians in Germany to stay on course with the “Zeitenwende” and the equipment of the armed forces. “Politicians are still not turning all the signals green. The defense industry in Germany is still in a state of uncertainty. Big announcements are followed by cuts. In this nebulous situation, the industry still has no planning certainty. We would like to see more stringency and clarity from politicians for 2024.”

However, there are also positive signs: “The demand for tanks remains high with new technologies,” Stenzel notes. “The second batch of Puma has now been finally ordered, and other countries are also ordering the Leopard 2 and the Boxer.” It is also important to continue to reduce bureaucracy in procurement, even if great progress has already been made at the Federal Office for Procurement.

Attractive jobs for skilled workers

VINCORION is also planning further recruitment in the new year and offers attractive jobs. New employees are being sought at the sites in Wedel and Altenstadt in particular. In 2023, 90 new employees could be hired. “The shortage of skilled workers is affecting many industrial companies. VINCORION is no exception, but we still manage to attract talented employees and recruit new talent with very good social benefits and exceptional products,” says HR Manager Nina Römhild. The company has around 800 employees, 480 of whom work at the Wedel site. The low fluctuation rate among employees fell further over the course of the year – and is now only around three percent.

 

Media Contact:

Florian Hanauer
PR-Manager
VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH
Feldstrasse 155
22880 Wedel, Germany
Phone: +49 4103 60-2250
Mail: florian.hanauer@vincorion.com

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About VINCORION

VINCORION is a technology company that specializes in innovative power systems for safety-critical applications, including generators, electric motors, and drives, gensets, power electronics, and hybrid power systems. As a partner to the civil aviation, security and defense, and rail industries, VINCORION develops and manufactures solutions tailored to its customers’ specific requirements on the basis of an in-depth dialog. A high-performance customer support team provides assistance and service to users of the company’s own products and those from third parties throughout the entire product life cycle.

With approximately 800 employees at sites in Germany, and the United States, VINCORION generated revenues of approximately 122.8 million euros in 2022.

For more information, visit our website www.vincorion.com or X and LinkedIn.

VINCORION-CEO Stefan Stenzel: Security has its price. This realisation is gaining ground in Germany.

There is a majority among the German population in favour of raising the defense budget: It could increase by 11.5 billion euros, or about 20 percent. This value was determined by researchers at the HWR Berlin in a study that examined the German population’s appreciation of and willingness to pay for security.

“The result indicates that large parts of the population are open to an increase in taxes and duties to finance further measures to expand national security and defense,” the authors say. The 25 percent increase in troop strength is particularly favoured by among supporters of the parties SPD and the Greens, as well as the CDU. Liberal supporters are mainly in favour of a 50 percent increase.

Various media have reported on the study, which is entitled “The Value of Security and National Defense: A Measurement of Societal Valuation Depending on Party Preferences in Germany” and was published in “Wirtschaftsdienst – Zeitschrift für Wirtschaftspolitik”.

The defense sector gains respect

“Society in Germany recognizes that the free democratic order of prosperity is not free”, says Dr Stefan Stenzel, CEO of the technology company VINCORION from Wedel. “We in the defense technology industry feel that appreciation is slowly increasing.” However, it has already been pointed out for 30 years that security has its price. “Now this realization is slowly being acknowledged.”

It is not yet entirely clear, he says, how sustainably the proclaimed “Zeitenwende” in Germany is anchored in political Berlin. Stenzel: “Defense is still not the highest priority.” But when it comes to procurement, he says, there must be a willingness to move at speed – similar to the LNG deliveries, where new terminals for liquid gas were quickly set up.

Equip the defense sector

Stenzel underlines the need to better equip the defense department. He calls for a more substantial increase than that identified in the study by the HWR Berlin. “The 100 billion euros in special funds are not sufficient to fill the gaps created by the savings of the past years. The defense budget must increase annually not by ten or eleven million, but by 20 to 30 billion euros.”

Stenzel emphasizes that he does not derive this from the two-percent target, but from the requirements of operational capability. Only with such a budget could Germany procure the urgently needed number of weapons, material, ammunition and spare parts for the armed forces –  in order to equip the soldiers of the Bundeswehr well.

 

Dr. Stefan Stenzel, CEO VINCORION

Photo: David Maupilé Dr. Stefan Stenzel, CEO of VINCORION

Photo: VINCORION

 

Link to the study:
https://www.hwr-berlin.de/meta/presse/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilung-detail/3559-der-wert-von-sicherheit-und-nationaler-verteidigung/

 

Press Contact:

Florian Hanauer
PR-Manager
VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH
Feldstrasse 155
22880 Wedel, Germany
Phone: +49 4103 60-2250
Mail: florian.hanauer@vincorion.com

 

About VINCORION

VINCORION is a technology company that specializes in innovative power systems for safety-critical applications, including generators, electric motors, and drives, gensets, power electronics, and hybrid power systems. As a partner to the civil aviation, security and defense, and rail industries, VINCORION develops and manufactures solutions tailored to its customers’ specific requirements on the basis of an in-depth dialog. A high-performance customer support team provides assistance and service to users of the company’s own products and those from third parties throughout the entire product life cycle.

With approximately 700 employees at sites in Germany, and the United States, VINCORION generated revenues of approximately 122,8 million euros in 2022.

For more information, visit our website www.vincorion.com or Twitter and LinkedIn.

Wedel. Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister for Economics, visited the technology company VINCORION in Wedel on Friday, April 14, to learn more about the situation in the German state’s industrial SME sector. The minister stressed that the German Armed Forces must be equipped quickly and that there shouldn’t be any further delays in procurement.

In a conversation with Madsen, Stefan Stenzel, managing director of VINCORION, explained the industry’s desire for planability and reliability from policymakers. He also showcased the latest developments in the industry related to, for example, “green defense” and ways to cut carbon emissions.

Procurement Cannot Be Allowed to Drag On

“The defense technology industry is extremely important to Schleswig-Holstein’s economy,” Madsen noted. Germany’s northernmost state is home to approximately 30 companies in this sector that employ roughly 7,000 people and indirectly provide as many as 20,000 jobs. The industry also includes a significant number of industrial SMEs – such as VINCORION.

“The state government wants a good portion of the 100-billion-euro special fund for Germany’s military to be invested here in the North,” Madsen emphasized. “New material for the military must be procured quickly; this is necessary both in terms of security policy and economic policy.” The minister expressed understanding for the fact that it causes problems for the industry when procurement processes take a long time. The industry needs binding commitments in order to plan, Stenzel explained. If equipment is given to Ukraine, for example, it will take up to 24 months to be replaced. This is because material is also sometimes difficult to obtain.

No Stigma When It Comes to Providing Loans

The fact that defense companies have difficulty obtaining loans from banks in times of military threat is not acceptable in this day and age. “There can’t be any stigma associated with this. That would be to disregard the importance of the defense industry to the state. And it would also run counter to our foreign policy and security policy interests.”

This situation was caused by ESG (environment, social, governance) criteria and the EU taxonomy, which imposes new rules on banks when it comes to providing loans. Defense technology must be recognized as sustainable to facilitate financing. Madsen plans to raise the issue not only with banks in the state, but also to continue talks about the potential involvement of the state-owned KfW Bank.

The German Armed Forces’ Investment Backlog Must Be Eliminated

The war in Ukraine has shifted the public’s perspective on the need for a military that is operationally ready and also on the defense technology industry in general, Stenzel told the minister. “In this respect, we can expect that the needed investments in our military will now also be made in Germany as soon as possible.”

Stenzel pointed out that his company still has not received any concrete orders from the 100-billion-euro special fund – even though numerous defense contractors have submitted inquiries. “The special fund has been specifically earmarked for equipment gaps and to replace old equipment. It’s absolutely clear that the defense budget needs to be increased by 20 to 30 billion a year.” This would be the only way to finance the army’s costs, which are rising due to inflation. In 2022, VINCORION was able to hire 79 new employees in Wedel, and will continue hiring this year. The company is also expanding its workforce at the Altenstadt site in Bavaria. “Finding skilled workers for the industry is not easy, however, not in Wedel and not at any of our other sites,” Stenzel noted.

Cutting-Edge Technology Manufactured in Wedel

Stenzel emphasized that SMEs also played a major role in technological development in Schleswig-Holstein. Addressing Madsen, who is also minister for technology, he said, “we design and manufacture hybrid systems for power generation at VINCORION.” This includes electronics and components such as the starter motor for the Leopard 2 tank or the motor that turns the vehicle’s turret. Weapon stabilization is cutting-edge technology that is manufactured here in Wedel. VINCORION is also working on technological solutions in the civilian sector, such as an innovative electronic rescue hoist being developed for its customer Airbus Helicopter, which meets the highest safety standards worldwide.

Climate change is playing a growing role not only in society as a whole, but also in the defense sector, VINCORION’s managing director explained to the minister during his visit. “We are working to make production processes at our company, corporate management, and also our products themselves more sustainable and carbon-efficient,” Stenzel said. The topic of “green defense” is becoming increasingly important, he noted, adding that “as a company, we stand fully behind the goal of reducing the carbon emissions generated by armies such as the Bundeswehr.”

Stefan Stenzel, Managing Director of VINCORION, welcomes Economics Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen in Wedel. Foto: VINCORION

Press Contact:

Florian Hanauer
PR-Manager
VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH
Feldstrasse 155
22880 Wedel, Germany
Phone: +49 4103 60-2250
Mail: florian.hanauer@vincorion.com

 

Über VINCORION

VINCORION ist ein Technologieunternehmen mit Fokus auf innovativen Energiesystemen in sicherheitskritischen Anwendungsbereichen, darunter Generatoren, elektrische Motoren und Antriebe, Aggregate, Leistungselektronik und hybride Energiesysteme. Als Partner der Industrien Luftfahrt, Sicherheit und Verteidigung sowie Bahn entwickelt und fertigt VINCORION aus einem intensiven Dialog heraus maßgeschneiderte Lösungen für die spezifischen Anforderungen seiner Kunden. Ein leistungsfähiger Kundendienst bietet Betreuung und Service für die Nutzung eigener und dritter Produkte während des gesamten Produktlebenszyklus. Mit rund 700 Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeitern an Standorten in Deutschland und den USA erwirtschaftete VINCORION 2021 rund 145 Mio. Euro Umsatz.

Weitere Informationen und aktuelle News finden Sie unter www.vincorion.com sowie auf Twitter und LinkedIn.

“We’re entering a new era. And that means the world is no longer the same as it was before,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in his official government statement on February 27, 2022. But what has really happened since then? What was the significance of this policy change for the German defense industry? And what still needs to be done? Dr. Stefan Stenzel, managing director of VINCORION, takes stock after a year has passed.

 

Zeitenwende – status quo

 

Zeitenwende – and now what?

 

What does it take to transform a vision into reality? Technical expertise, tremendous dedication, and clear political backing.

Greater flexibility, greater power, greater connectivity – in the coming decades, defense systems will have to meet ever-increasing demands. This is mainly due to changing, globalized, and unpredictable deployment scenarios, high technology such as hypersonic weapons, and 360-degree missile technology. With the TLVS tactical air defense system, the German government and companies in the country have painted a vision of the future that could soon become reality. And some of this vision has already been developed by German companies, including mission-specific defensive missiles, enhanced sensor capabilities, advanced software algorithms, and increased cybersecurity. As a result, the system will be the first integrated air defense system capable of simultaneously tracking and intercepting multiple threats – at short and medium range – for comprehensive, 360-degree protection.

Autonomous and Uninterruptible Power Supply

This requires power supply systems that cover the tremendous power requirements efficiently and with flexibility. This is the only way to guarantee that the TLVS will always have a reliable supply of power in all future deployment scenarios, while at the same time minimizing fuel consumption and replenishment logistics – a considerable tactical and financial advantage over the system’s decades of use. In addition to particularly efficient diesel gensets, the commercial power interfaces, which enable parallel operation on existing power grids, are a highlight of our VINCORION power systems. Robust, field-tested, durable, and reliable, all of VINCORION’s power systems can therefore be used with the TLVS – both autonomously via a primary genset and without interruption via the public grid.

The heart of the TLVS is the new MC4IS command post. It needs to have reliable and sufficient power available in every situation. To ensure that this is the case, a genset converts all available power sources into the appropriate form and makes them available to the system. The decisive factor in this respect is that all of the components are designed to save space and weight so that the power system can share the limited installation space with other technical systems in the 20-foot ISO control container.

VINCORION Calls on Politicians to Strengthen Germany as Center for Technological Innovation

The expertise and the components behind this system come from VINCORION, among other companies. With its expertise in the field of power management of safety-critical systems and platforms, the company’s location in Altenstadt, Bavaria, can serve as a particularly reliable partner.
“Major German and European projects such as the TLVS are driving innovation in the German defense industry as a whole and make a significant contribution to NATO,” emphasizes Managing Director Dr. Stefan Stenzel. This is one of the reasons why the German government has declared its support for the project in the 2021 draft budget. “What’s missing is the financial backing for this declaration of support – a clear signal to companies and especially to the supplier industry to help strengthen the competitiveness of Germany as a center for technological innovation.” The message from Altenstadt, Wedel, and Essen, VINCORION’s locations in Germany, is clear – as a reliable partner to the German Armed Forces for safety-critical systems and infrastructure, as an innovative mechatronics specialist, and as an important economic factor at locations in three German states, VINCORION is ready for next-level defense systems.

German Armed ForcesMDBA

The Customer Support Department of the Future Will Act as a Service Hub.

Manufacturing customized components for airplanes, helicopters, land and air defense systems, or rail vehicles is one thing. Technological solutions that focus on the customer extend far beyond development and production, however. Providing reliable and unlimited support, even years after the original project has been completed, is a core element of our business model. At the same time, digitization, globalization, and new application scenarios also require companies to fundamentally rethink what customer support means. VINCORION Insights spoke with Manging Director Dr. Stefan Stenzel about the customer support team of the future.

What do you think of when you hear the term customer service?

I think of reliability. In an ideal world, our customers would require as little support as possible – simply because our products work perfectly. Achieving this requires low-maintenance, customized solutions. But it’s also clear that this wishful thinking quickly reaches its limits, especially when dealing with products that have extremely long life cycles. That’s why it’s essential for us to take a holistic approach to MRO and consider all aspects of life cycle management right from the very beginning of the development process. This also encompasses spare parts and service technicians being available worldwide and around the clock. We need to already know how maintenance and service could ultimately be structured and implemented early on, during the development stage. It’s also important to ensure that the necessary spare parts and expertise remain available for maintenance and mitigating obsolescence. Preparing this process in an ideal manner is also a part of professional customer support.
It is also clear, however, that a workshop or a logistics system with customer support staff and spare parts is by no means the end of the process.

The customer support department of the future is and integrated logistics hub where all of the data and past experiences flows together.

Dr. Stefan Stenzel

In what direction is customer support evolving?

The assembly was developed together and fits perfectly into the customer’s platform, the customer and contractor are satisfied, everything has come together perfectly. It goes without saying that our components and solutions are long-lasting and work reliably. But technology advances at a breathtaking pace. Energy management systems must become even more powerful, more rugged, lighter, and more modular. We continue to work on this while the solution is in the field being used by the customer. Or the other case – challenges arise in the field that were previously impossible to foresee. Even in this situation, it’s important to adapt the components to the conditions and not the other way around – and respond to this as quickly as possible. Or have the customer perform this work themselves under our guidance. Data analytics, sensor technology, intelligently connected components, stockpiling – all of these play a critical role right from the initial project planning stage.

Data analyticsKrulUA / iStock

What would this form of life cycle management look like in the real world?

We collect exactly the data needed for reliable life cycle management via our on-site and obsolescence service, via remote access, but of course also during development and production. When it comes to power electronics, for example, this means that we not only collect and utilize data and events from product testing and prototype engineering, but also directly from the field. The automotive industry is a trendsetter in this area. But our technologies also support remote and predictive maintenance. Take, for example, our new electronic rescue hoist – its modular design and built-in test equipment (BITE) give the system the ability to inform the user not only that a functional module needs to be replaced, but also exactly how to do so. The next step would be remote maintenance and advance warning long before the end of the life cycle as well as augmented reality access for maintenance purposes.

That sounds like a lot of data. How can you be sure that it will be stored properly and securely?

This is the tremendous advantage of having everything flow together into one service hub – from development to production to operation to analysis and ultimately to advancement. We impose the highest standards not only on our products, but also on the data behind them. That’s why compliance with international standards and specific industry requirements is a matter of course for us, and our numerous certifications are proof of this. In addition, we have decades of experience with security-critical infrastructure and in processing and saving data from the German Armed Forces. Moreover, we have the expertise and the will to integrate such innovative approaches and advanced systems into long-lasting platforms.

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