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Pepperl Fuchs

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Pepperl Fuchs SE
Company typeSocietas Europea
IndustryFactory automation, mobile computing & communication, process automation, sensor manufacturing
Founded1945
FoundersWalter Pepperl
Ludwig Fuchs
Headquarters
Schönau, Mannheim
,
Germany
Number of locations
6 facilities
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Dr.-Ing. Gunther Kegel (Chairman), Werner Guthier (Deputy Chairman), Lutz Liebers, Reiner Müller, Florian Ochs
ProductsExplosion protection, industrial sensors, mobile computing & communication
Revenue>1 billion EUR (2022)
Number of employees
6,850 (2024)
Subsidiaries>40
Websitewww.pepperl-fuchs.com

Pepperl Fuchs SE is a German multinational company headquartered in Mannheim, Germany. The company manufactures electronic products for fabrication and process automation. It is specialised in sensor manufacturing, such as sensors used in automatic doors in elevators, encoders, AS interfaces, RFID systems,[1] barcode solutions,[2] and explosion protection,[3] as well as components for the automotive industry, and plant engineering.[4]

In 2022, the company's revenue exceeded €1 billion for the first time.[5][6]

As of April 2024, the company had approximately 6,850 employees worldwide,[7] with more than 40[8] foreign subsidiaries on six continents, and manufacturing facilities in Germany, USA, Singapore, Hungary, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

History

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Pepperl Fuchs was founded in 1945[3] by Walter Pepperl and Ludwig Fuchs in Mannheim. The company initially operated as a workship for repairing radio equipment while simultaneously manufacturing transformers. By 1948, Pepperl Fuchs had expanded to produce other electronics, leading to the development of the first inductive proximity switch, an electronic device capable of measuring the position of objects and commonly used in packaging and filling systems, in 1958. Alongside this, Pepperl Fuchs also created the first transistor amplifier with an intrinsically safe control circuit.[9]

Increasing demand for the proximity switch prompted Pepperl Fuchs to expand its focus into areas such as sensing technology, intrinsic safety, and explosion protection technology,[9] Starting in the 1970s, the company established subsidiaries for production and sales in countries including China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, Hungary, and the United States. During this period, Pepperl Fuchs transitioned from a general partnership into a GmbH & Co. KG.[10]

In 1987, the two founders retired from the management team and the legal form of the company was changed to a limited liability entity.[11]

Initially based in Mannheim-Sandhofen, the headquarters of Pepperl Fuchs moved to Schönau in 1971.[12] In Germany, the company also operates in Neuhausen ob Eck, where all of its rotary encoders are designed and manufactured.[13] In Asia, production occurs in various locations, including Vietnam.[14]

Since 2000, Pepperl Fuchs has expanded through several acquisitions, increasing its turnover to over 500 million DM.[4] Acquisitions included Visolux from Berlic, Elcon from Milan, and the proximity switches and photoelectric sensors division from Honeywell International.[4] In 2010, Pepperl Fuchs further expanded by acquiring Siemens' proximity switch business, enhancing its capabilities in ultrasonic sensor technology.[15]

In 2019, Pepperl Fuchs Comtrol partnered with Callisto Integration, in the manufacturing industry.[16]

In 2019, Pepperl Fuchs changed its legal structure from Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (GmbH) to Aktiengesellschaft (AG) and again in 2020 to Societas Europea (SE).[8][17]

In 2023, the company attained IEC 62443-4-1 cybersecurity certification.[18]

As of April 2024, the company had approximately 6,850 employees worldwide,[7] with more than 40[8] foreign subsidiaries on six continents, and manufacturing facilities in Germany, USA, Singapore, Hungary, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

Products

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Pepperl Fuchs manufactures, among other things, contactless sensors, rotary encoders, counters, switching units, converters, fieldbus components and systems, data light barriers, identification systems, safety barriers, and image processing products.[19]

The company categorises its portfolio into industrial sensors and process interfaces for factory and process automation.[20]

Additionally, Pepperl Fuchs provides systems for process automation in potentially explosive atmospheres, developed in engineering centres located in Bühl and other locations.[21]

The acquisition of ecom instruments GmbH expanded its portfolio to include explosion-protected products in mobile computing, communication, measurement and calibration technology, and hand lamps.[22]

Pepperl Fuchs operates a European warehouse in Mannheim and logistics centres in America and Asia, with a Global Distribution Centre established in Singapore.[23]

Divisions

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The Factory Automation division is a manufacturer of industrial sensors designed to address specific market needs on a global basis. It makes a range of inductive, capacitive, photoelectric, and ultrasonic sensors as well as identification systems, barcode and camera systems, rotary encoders, position measurement systems, cordsets, and other accessories.[24]

The Process Automation division is a manufacturer of explosion protection products. It makes a range of intrinsic safety barriers, signal conditioners, remote I/O systems, HART interface solutions, surge protection, HMI systems, electrical explosion protection equipment, purge and pressurization systems, power supplies, and level measurement.[24]

Mergers & Acquisitions

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In 2010 the company acquired the proximity sensor business of Siemens.[25]

In 2021 Pepperl Fuchs acquired the Finnish company, Aava Mobile Oy, expanding its reach in the industrial tablet computer and smartphone industry.[26]

Cooperation & Sponsorships

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Pepperl Fuchs is actively involved in the Smart Factory initiative, collaborating with the Technical University of Kaiserslautern and other partners to advance automation and manufacturing technologies.[27]

In May 2024 Pepperl Fuchs signed a contract agreeing to partner with the Mannheim TECHNOSEUM to set up a student laboratory, centred on STEM programs and sensor technology.[28][29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "Neuer UHF RFID Reader von Pepperl Fuchs" [New UHF RFID reader from Pepperl Fuchs makes goods flows transparent]. DIGITAL MANUFACTURING (in German). 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ Knuepffer, Gunnar (2020-09-09). "Pepperl Fuchs kooperiert mit KI-Hersteller Symate" [Pepperl Fuchs cooperates with AI manufacturer Symate]. all-electronics.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  3. ^ a b "Exzellenzbetrieb: Pepperl Fuchs SE - Die Deutsche Wirtschaft" [Excellence company: Pepperl Fuchs SE]. Die Deutsche Wirtschaft (in German). 2024-02-13. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  4. ^ a b c "Pepperl Fuchs baut Weltmarktführung aus" [Pepperl Fuchs expands world market leadership]. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). No. 32. 2001-02-07. p. 26.
  5. ^ "Pepperl Fuchs erreicht erstmals die Milliarden-Marke". Pepperl Fuchs (in German). 2023-01-24. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  6. ^ Import, M. V. S. (2023-02-01). "Pepperl Fuchs überschreitet Milliarden-Marke" [Pepperl Fuchs exceeds billion mark]. Industrieanzeiger (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  7. ^ a b "About Pepperl Fuchs | Pepperl Fuchs Worldwide". www.pepperl-fuchs.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  8. ^ a b c Pepperl Fuchs (2020-07-16). "Ready for the Future: Pepperl Fuchs Successfully Converts to SE". Pepperl Fuchs. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  9. ^ a b "Pepperl Fuchs | History of Pepperl Fuchs, Heritage of Pepperl Fuchs". www.pepperl-fuchs.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  10. ^ "Unternehmensregister Bundesanzeiger Verlag, (Amtsgericht Mannheim, HRA 617)". www.unternehmensregister.de. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  11. ^ "Unternehmensregister. Bundesanzeiger Verlag, (Amtsgericht Mannheim, HRB 3437)". www.unternehmensregister.de. 1987-12-09. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  12. ^ "Pepperl Fuchs | Chronik | Eine Erfolgsgeschichte". karriere.pepperl-fuchs.com (in German). 2021-02-09. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  13. ^ "Vier Millionen für neuen Standort". Südkurier. 2012-11-23. p. 30.
  14. ^ Willershausen, Florian (2014-08-11). ": Lahme Preußen". WirtschaftsWoche. No. 33. p. 32.
  15. ^ "Pepperl Fuchs übernimmt Näherungsschalter von Siemens". Industrielle Automation: MSR Magazin (7–8): 6. 2010.
  16. ^ "Pepperl Fuchs Comtrol and Callisto Offer IoT Solutions to Manufacturers". www.businesswire.com. 5 December 2019.
  17. ^ Neumueller, Dr. Marco Henry V. (2020-09-03). "Das Familienunternehmen Pepperl Fuchs schließt Umwandlung zur SE ab - FAMILIENUNTERNEHMEN im FOKUS" [The family business Pepperl Fuchs completes conversion to SE] (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  18. ^ Krischke, Inka (2023-11-15). "Entwicklungsprozess zertifiziert" [Development process certified]. Computer&AUTOMATION (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  19. ^ "Herstellerprofil: Pepperl Fuchs GmbH. In: Elektro-Elektronik Einkaufsführer (ZVEI)". www.zvei-einkaufsfuehrer.de. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  20. ^ "Produkte von Pepperl Fuchs | Fabrikautomation | Prozessautomation". www.pepperl-fuchs.com. Retrieved 2014-08-16.
  21. ^ Weichsel, Thomas (2014). "Nicht gleich in die Luft gehen". Autocad Magazin. 5: 56–57.
  22. ^ Pepperl Fuchs (2016-11-14). "Pepperl Fuchs verstärkt sich mit ecom instruments, dem Branchenpionier für mobilen Explosionsschutz". Pepperl Fuchs (in German). Retrieved 2017-01-19.
  23. ^ Wöhrle, Thomas (2014). "Fit für die Zukunft". dhf Intralogistik. 4. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  24. ^ a b "Pepperl Fuchs | Industrial Products for Factory Automation Process Automation". www.pepperl-fuchs.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  25. ^ Hoske, Mark T., ed. (2010-03-04). "Pepperl Fuchs acquires the proximity sensor business of Siemens". Control Engineering. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  26. ^ "Finland based Aava Mobile Oy joins German based Pepperl Fuchs Group". www.hazardexonthenet.net. 2021-09-02. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  27. ^ "Die Smart Factory, eine Erfolgsgeschichte". Rhein-Zeitung. 2014-05-22. p. 9.
  28. ^ Brendel, Benjamin (2024-05-10). "Mit feinen Fühlern MINT fördern" [Promote STEM with fine sensors]. weikmedien.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  29. ^ Paul (2024-05-08). "Pepperl Fuchs unterstützt MINT-Zentrum am TECHNOSEUM" [Pepperl Fuchs Supports STEM Centre of the TECHNOSEUM in Mannheim]. Pepperl Fuchs Karriereportal | Blog (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  30. ^ Merz, Susanne (2024-05-07). "Mannheimer Technoseum und Pepperl Fuchs unterzeichnen Vertrag zum Aufbau eines Schülerlabors" [Mannheim Technoseum and Pepperl Fuchs sign contract to build a student laboratory]. www.mannheimer-morgen.de (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-12.
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