NEWS
Combining strengths
E.ON invests in platform provider Cuculus
E
.ON has strengthened its expertise in digital and networked customer solutions with a new partnership. The company has acquired a stake in Cuculus, a software start-up based in Ilmenau. Together, the partners will develop solutions for the intelligent house of the future. The technical basis for this is the Internet of Things (IoT), in which different devices and systems can communicate and control each other via the Internet. In the new energy world, solar systems, battery storage systems – including virtual ones such as the E.ON SolarCloud – and electric vehicles and
charging systems are all part of the house. All these systems must be continuously automated and coordinated in order to use energy as efficiently as possible. With ZONOS, Cuculus has an IoT platform designed to meet this need. At the same time, the system is already being used by numerous customers worldwide for the management of smart meters. The solution, which has been continuously improved since 2007, is characterised by its high security standards, scalability and flexibility. Visit: www.eon.com
CERATIZIT acquires KOMET GROUP T he CERATIZIT Group, headquartered in Mamer, Luxembourg, has announced the acquisition of the KOMET GROUP, headquartered in Besigheim, Germany. “The disruptive changes in the market environment pose enormous challenges for KOMET. The acquisition by CERATIZIT now opens up new opportunities for sustainable growth,” says Dr Christof Bönsch, CEO of the KOMET GROUP. “The takeover sees the emergence of a new
global player with superior technology expertise and broad market access.” CERATIZIT is committed to Germany as a key production and innovation hub. “Employees can look forward to a positive and attractive future because, as a privately owned company, CERATIZIT is keen to develop its sites in a sustainable manner,” says Bönsch. The implementation of the ‘KOMET 2026’ strategy will be continued in order to ensure the safety of the jobs.
The KOMET brand will play a pivotal role in the CERATIZIT Group’s cutting tools strategy. Going forward, customers will have an even stronger partner in all areas of cutting tools technology, from turning and milling to the complete machining of holes. Visit: www.ceratizit.com
Autoneum, Nittoku and Toyota Boshoku establish joint venture A
Schaeffler buys autinity systems
T
he Schaeffler Group has been consistently implementing its digital agenda, which includes the takeover of autinity. The Chemnitz-based IT company specialises in digital machine data recording and evaluation. Chief Digital Officer Gerhard Baum said: “The acquisition of this company will help us to intensify our collaboration and acceler-
16 Industry Europe
utoneum and the Japanese automobile suppliers Nittoku (Nihon Tokushu Toryo) and Toyota Boshoku have agreed on the establishment of a joint venture for research and development in vehicle acoustics. The collaboration, which is subject to approval by regulatory authorities, is expected to begin in January 2018. By means of the joint venture, acoustic studies for Toyota Motor Corporation and other automotive related companies will be conducted in Japan under the scientific lead of Autoneum. In future,
customers will benefit from the expertise of the Swiss innovation leader and its Japanese partners both in the predevelopment of vehicle models with NV benchmarking (noise, vibration) and subsequently in vehicle development with computer-aided design of customised acoustics systems. In order to guarantee the highest standards, measurement systems and simulation software developed by Autoneum will be deployed at the acoustic centre located at Toyota Boshoku in Japan. Visit: www.autoneum.com
ate further developments in the fields of machine data recording and condition monitoring. Both topics are key essential elements of Schaeffler’s digital agenda, which are in strong demand both from internal and external customers.” As part of its ‘Mobility for tomorrow’ strategy, Schaeffler has defined digitalisation as a core future opportunity. Establishing
internal structures, the partnership with IBM, the cooperation with the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg (SHARE at FAU), the active involvement in the industrial data space in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute, and the takeover of autinity are important components in implementing Schaeffler’s digital agenda. Visit: www.schaeffler.com
