“First choice for secure, digital infrastructure”

The automation company Pilz is strengthening its rail activities with the establishment of a Rail business unit. Sebastian Lüke (left) is Head of Business Rail. Michael Fohrer (right) accompanies the business unit. © Pilz
The automation company Pilz is strengthening its rail activities with the establishment of a Rail business unit. Sebastian Lüke (left) is Head of Business Rail. Michael Fohrer (right) accompanies the business unit. © Pilz

Automation company Pilz is expanding its range of solutions for rail and is driving forward its global rail activities with the establishment of the Rail business unit. Pilz wants to play an active role in shaping the future of rail transport with solutions for a safe, digital infrastructure.

Industry-proven automation solutions from Pilz are already used in classic railroad applications, such as point control systems or level crossings, but also in the interfaces between industrial and railroad applications. With the establishment of the Rail business unit, Pilz is further strengthening its activities in the rail industry.

Comprehensive offering for the railroads of the future

The expert for safe automation solutions is focusing more strongly on the rail industry and, with the independent business unit, is creating more resources internally to expand its portfolio and application engineering specifically tailored to the rail sector.

The fusion of industrial automation with railroad technology is creating digital solutions: Thanks to open interfaces and Commercial Off-the-Shelf solutions – i.e. standardized products – Pilz wants to help dissolve proprietary applications. In addition, Pilz will in future be transferring its expertise in the areas of machine safety and operational safety regulations to operational facilities for rail transport, such as workshops or depots.

Industry proven solutions

“Our industry-proven automation solutions already fully meet the requirements of the rail sector! With the newly created business unit, we want to actively shape the future of rail. We want to be the first choice for a safe, digital infrastructure on and off the rails,” explains Sebastian Lüke, Head of Business Unit Rail.

Sebastian Lüke has been responsible for building up the Rail business unit from the outset and now heads the international team based at the Ostfildern headquarters. The recognized rail expert Michael Fohrer will accompany the business unit with his experience as former VDB President (German Railway Industry Association) and his expertise from 13 years of management responsibility at Bombardier Transportation.

For him, Pilz is taking exactly the right step: “Industry has taken the path of digitalization much earlier. The strengths and experience Pilz has gained in industrial applications are ideally suited to the extensive requirements of railroad technology. The open interfaces and standardized Pilz solutions offer great potential for replacing previously proprietary railroad applications,” emphasizes Fohrer.

In the service of safety

Beyond automation solutions, the automation company’s expertise flows into rail-specific services such as project planning and management, programming, documentation and support in the approval process. Know-how in the areas of machine safety and the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health is also required for the equipment on the rail operators’ premises. Rail operators benefit from this comprehensive rail portfolio from a single source.

Pilz at the Innotrans
Pilz will be presenting its solutions at the international trade fair for transport technology, Innotrans, in Berlin from September 20 to 23, 2022 (Hall 27 Stand 550).

Web:
www.pilz.com