In order to further consolidate its sales territory in western Germany, Beckhoff Rhein-Ruhr opened an office in Monheim three and a half years ago in addition to the Moers branch. Last year, the establishment of a further location in Aachen started, which officially opened on 1 August 2019. After almost a year, the expansion of the premises has now been completed. The official opening ceremony was scheduled for July 2, 2020. Despite the cancellation of the inauguration due to COVID-19, Beckhoff draws a positive balance regarding the choice of its new location.
“The decision in favor of Aachen was obvious,” reports Ralf Stachelhaus, branch manager of Beckhoff Rhein-Ruhr. And adds: “We have many important customers here, who have already been served by our Moers branch for 20 years. Another important point is the proximity to RWTH Aachen University, one of the most renowned German universities for engineering science courses, which also enjoys an excellent international reputation. As an innovative technology company, contact with highly qualified young people is essential for us”.
The cooperation between Beckhoff and RWTH Aachen University has existed for many years. Many chairs use Beckhoff products and technologies, including TwinCAT Vision, Machine Learning or high-precision measurement technology as well as classic automation with PLC, safety, drive technology, CNC and HMI, both in the training of young engineers and in their research.
The new office in Aachen is therefore currently focusing intensively on university management – both in the areas of support and application as well as in the recruitment of young talents. “Our goal is to make Beckhoff known early on, particularly to future engineers. They are the decision-makers of tomorrow and can have a lasting influence on the design of automation solutions of the future. In addition, they are naturally also exciting potential colleagues for us,” explains Ralf Stachelhaus.
In the medium term, Beckhoff plans to expand its new location in Aachen, Germany, into a fully-fledged office with sales, application and support departments. So far, two colleagues have been working in the newly established office. The areas of application and university management are handled by Christian Kukla from Aachen. After completing his training as an IT systems electronics engineer, he studied electrical engineering and information technology as well as economics at RWTH Aachen University, where he is currently working towards a doctorate in mechanical engineering. He is responsible for on-site support for all institutes in Aachen across the entire Beckhoff product range. His colleague Erich Klaßen, who first trained as an electronics engineer and later studied automation technology at the Jülich University of Applied Sciences and then held positions as a leading developer in various industrial companies, is an experienced application engineer with specialist knowledge of complex drive technology and looks after Beckhoff customers on site.
Beckhoff is represented throughout Germany with a total of 23 sales offices and is therefore present in all regions. Headquartered in Verl, East Westphalia, the company is represented in 39 countries worldwide with its own branch offices and through other partners in 75 countries.
Mr. Nick Psahoulias
Beckhoff Automation Pty. Ltd.
Building 4, 163–179 Forster Road
Mount Waverley, VIC 3149
Australia
+61 3 9912 5430
press@beckhoff.com.au
www.beckhoff.com/en-au/