Hagen,21.12.2010

KOSTAL wishes you a Merry Christmas

The team of the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics thanks for the well partnership in the year 2010. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Please recognise that KOSTAL will shut down while the Christmas season and our office will be working with a skeleton staff. We look forward to welcome you again from 04.01.2010 with the whole team.

Hagen,17.12.2010

Official CEO change - KOSTAL passed on to the forth generation

During the last year’s Christmas party with KOSTAL’s entire German staff Helmut Kostal passed on the baton to his son Andreas Kostal who will now be KOSTAL’s new CEO.  Helmut Kostal was the head of the executive board for nearly four decades. Starting in 2011 he will give advisory support to his son. “Always stay down-to-earth!” is his first advice, a piece of advice for live that was already passed on to him by his father and which has always helped him to successfully lead the company for so many years.

In his final speech Helmut Kostal recalled his past at KOSTAL and said goodbye to his former position as a CEO. As he was passing on the baton he wished his son best of luck and success for his new challenge. Abiding to old tradition, which are engraved in the baton, Andreas Kostal is now responsible to “lead and serve KOSTAL”. He is going to take up employment on the 1^st of January and will represent the forth generation who leads the family owned company.

To express their appreciation all KOSTAL employees thought of a really special farewell gift.

Helmut and Andreas Kostal got one oak sapling for every employee. Those will be planted in a family owned forest in spring 2011. The extraordinary gift was presented by Dr. Laufenberg, chief officer at KOSTAL Automobile Electrical and chair of works council mister Schmolke. A gift that is supposed to prosper and grow - just like KOSTAL.

Hagen ,02.12.2010

KOSTAL increased the number of SPS/IPCDRIVES exhibition visitors by 60%

KOSTAL Industrial Electronics is proudly looking back to a successful SPS/IPCDRIVES exhibition in Nuremberg. KOSTAL could increase its last year’s number of exhibition visitors by 60%; an outstanding result which has exceeded all expectations.

KOSTAL’s success record is due to innovative products such as

• An energy efficient control of synchronous motors by INVEOR
• An expansion of the INVEOR-platform by introducing new performance classes between 11 and 22 kW
• A new INVEOR control system: An intuitive hand-hold control device and a comfortable PC-Software

as well as a delightful ‘Smart-Connection-Party’. Great conversations, delicious cocktails and a unique smart connection with magician Erasmus Stein made the exhibition a pleasant event with plenty of cheerful moments.

We would like to thank all our visitors and invite you, as well as anyone who couldn’t join us in Nuremberg, to a virtual tour of our exhibition stand.

Start the virtual tour right now

Hagen,28.10.2010

KOSTAL Industrial Electronics at the SPS/IPC/DRIVES in Nuremberg

From the 23^rd to the 25^th of November 2010 one of the most important trade fairs for drive technology, the SPS/IPC/DRIVES takes place in Nuremberg and the Team of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics is looking forward to welcome numerous customers and guests at their trade fair stand 1-258.

True to our slogan for this fair “INVEOR – efficiency down to the detail” we are going to present new product components of our innovative INVEOR drive controller platform. The new ones in the family of the drive control system which complete the whole product range are the series from 11kW engine-power-class. Across all INVEOR types KOSTAL offers a reference model which is in view of design, handling and structural principle almost identical. Thus, all customer are able to  benefit from the economies of scale without missing the advantages of individualised adaptations, even if their own demand is just of small quantity.

Another focus of the trade fair is the issue of energy efficiency. The KOSTAL Industrial Electronics demonstrates how permanent-magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), which save energy, could be handled with the INVEOR. After this  trade fair this functionality is going to become a part of the INVEOR serial production.

Due to a  special operating software the user is able to choose the handling of the PMSM freely.

Regarding this important topic the drive controller platform offers options: either you can operate the INVEOR with a comfortable PC-surface or with a hand-held unit which is intuitive operable. Both alternatives will be demonstrated on the SPS fair and we are looking forward to discuss the different advantages of both options with you.

The personal feedback from our customers and conversations with our guest are very important for us which is the reason why we organised a special event for Wednesday the 24^th of November 2010. Be part of many smart connections and experience our philosophy with the magician Erasmus Stein who will perform magical smart connections all over the day. Additionally you are warmly invited to our smart-connection-party which takes place between 17 and 19 o’clock.

We are looking forward to welcome you at our trade fair stand

Hagen,26.10.2010

Solar Power International – KOSTAL completes the fair with a very positive impression

In the last week  the Solar Power International (SPI)  - one of the most important Photovoltaic trade fairs  in the United States – took place. Just as the organisers of the fair the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics, which was an exhibitor in Los Angeles, completes the SPI with a very positive impression.

“Due to our attendance on the SPI it was again possible to increase the degree of our brand awareness as a supplier of high quality PV–module–connection technology on the US market”, defines Frank Burghardt (Vice President Sales).

In numerous conversations the KOSTAL–team was able to give all visitors a great understanding of the company as well as knowledge of the broad product portfolio of customised and universally usable PV junction boxes. Markus Vetter, Director Marketing and Communication, is in particular proud that all guests could experience the company values – partnership and offensive in quality -  at the exhibition stand on their own. This is supported not only by the entries in the guestbook but also from the fact that the number of visitors in this year increased explicitly in regards to the amount of 2009.

We thank all our guests for their visit and all “smart connections” and we’re looking forward to see you again in 2011 in Dallas.

Hagen,07.10.2010

Smart Connections with cocktails

The winner from the Thirst for knowledge event-contest from the exhibition Intersolar Europe last July, Christiane Eichler, took last weekend the chance to dip herself into the deep secrets of cocktails.

She enjoyed the seminar in Erfurt “very much” and it provided her with a great understanding of all the smart connections of cocktail ingredients which she’s going to use at home as well.

Hagen,06.10.2010

International exhibition „Solar Power International“

Visit our stand 4519 / Southall of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics at the Solar Power International at 12.-14.10.2010 in Los Angeles.

In the focus of the exhibition in this year is the presentation of our innovative portfolio of automatable PV junction boxes. These junction boxes guarantee effective increase in productivity and process reliability.

As one of the leading companies worldwide in the field of PV connection technology we are already working at the technologies for tomorrow.

Entirely in terms of our corporate philosophy: Smart connections.

We look forward to show you new future-oriented products and application solutions and warmly invite you to an interchange of ideas and a personal dialog with the team of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics.

Hagen,24.09.2010

Review of the 25th EU PVSEC Valencia

A few days ago the EU PVSEC in Valencia, one of the most important exhibitions in Europe, took place.

Although the EU PVSEC had to record a decline in visitors the team of KOSTAL was able to hold many interesting conversations, build up new contacts and deepen our existing partnerships.

Therefore we’d like to thank all of our customers, suppliers and all other partners for their visit.

In the main focus of the audience were the UL-certified PV-junction box with leadframe and our automatable PV junction boxes. As a company with a proactive approach to quality, KOSTAL is not simply satisfied with what it has achieved in the past. Therefore we are very happy that many visitors did seek the dialog with us to discuss the PV technology for the future.

Hagen,27.08.2010

KOSTAL Industrial Electronics with new location

Recently KOSTAL Industrial Electronics established another plant in Schalksmühle. The new location is just a few kilometres away from the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics headquarter in Hagen and enables a very close connection and cooperation between both factories. The main reason for the establishment of the new location is the increase in demand of our PIKO inverters. In the new factory it is now possible to integrate a whole state-of-the-art manufacturing concept for all PIKO products on an area of 5,000 sq m. In this way the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics is optimally equipped to serve all future needs of our customers and partners in the well-known “Made by KOSTAL”-quality.

Additionally to the production plant of the PIKO inverters the new location accommodates an extended service team to be able to respond more quickly to customers’ requests. Besides the enlarged service team, the new location offers enough space to embed a very modern training centre which can be used by both group companies: KOSTAL Industrial Electronics and KOSTAL Solar Electric. Entirely in terms of our company philosophy “Smart connections” this enables us with the excellent possibility to foster the dialog with our partners’ and to impart our extensive experience about product and application solutions as well as the terminology “Made by KOSTAL” and its qualities.

Hagen,23.08.2010

New product brochure of the PV junction box now available

On time for the exhibition EU PVSEC and Solar Power International which the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics is going to attend, we revised the product brochures of the PV junction boxes. There you find all interesting information about our comprehensive product portfolio of our customized and universally usable PV junction boxes.

Newly included is our recent development: the fully automatable PV junction box.

Download the product brochure here and learn more about smart connections for your PV modules.

Hagen,13.08.2010

KOSTAL at 25th EU PVSEC in Valencia: Discuss with us the PV junction box of the future

From 06. to 09.09.2010 the 25th EU PVSEC takes place in Valencia as one of the most important european PV exhibitions. KOSTAL Industrial Electronics will be present in Hall 2 / Level 3 / Stand A15.

An innovative and comprehensive portfolio of our PV junction boxes is in the focus of our presentation. We give you the chance to experience more about our UL approved PV module connection technology with leadframe or some automatable solutions. As a company with a proactive approach to quality, KOSTAL is not simply satisfied with what it has achieved in the past. We are already actively working on the next generation of connection technology.

Our visitors are invited to discuss new solutions for sustainable uses with us. Entirely in terms of our corporate philosophy: Smart connections.

Hagen,30.07.2010

Finally- winners of the Thirst for Knowledge event-contest has been determined

In the course of the Intersolar Europe we came up with a very special mission with the slogan “Thirst for Knowledge”. Every  entrant who played an active role in our little quiz, received a give-away. In addition, two participants became the chance to win a cocktail workshop for two in the town of his or her choice. And finally we can celebrate the two winners:

Christiane Eichler (from Erfurt, Germany) won the first prize of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics and Angela Klenk (from Weil der Stadt, Germany) was lucky to win the first prize of the KOSTAL Solar Electric.

Both are already notified in writing. We wish the winners to experience many smart connections while mixing cocktails in Erfurt and Berlin.

Hagen,15.07.2010

KOSTAL donates PIKO for school PV project

In line with the cooperation with a secondary school in Hagen, KOSTAL also backed their new PV plant. For dedication of the plant Mr. Vetter hands over a PIKO inverter to the teacher Mr. Warmeling who leads the PV project.

We wish good yields all the time!

Hagen,12.07.2010

Vocational students experience 'Smart connections' at KOSTAL

Within the context of our school cooperations a class of a vocational school visited the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics. Besides the company presentation the focus layes on the technology transfer between the different KOSTAL business areas. A good example for this kind of smart connections is the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics' single-turn absolute encoder which is based on a KOSTAL Automobile Electrical's technology. In 1998 they build with the steering angle sensor for the Mercedes A-Class the 'mother' of the single-turn absolute encoder. The event's final point was the tour through the production where the students could see the assembling of our single-turn absolute encoder and their function directly at the rapid action doors.

Hagen,25.06.2010

The Thirst for Knowledge has been quenched – We thank our visitors at Intersolar Europe

With 72.000 visitors from 150 countries the Intersolar Europe reached again a new record attendance and proves its state as Europeans most important PV exhibition.

Also the team of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics is really satisfied with the trade fair experience. Particularly our newest developments in the field of automatable PV junction boxes received great interest and new contacts were established. Beside the presentation of our existing product portfolio the focus has been on the PV junction box of the future. We get into lively conversations about the features a future junction box should offer.

We are glad that our booth party became a real highlight for our visitors. Wolf Codera’s “Session Possible” gets the vibe going and also the cocktail show elates the visitors. Not only the crowded booth but also various entries in our guestbook document this: “Great music, tasty drinks and a kind team – really a brilliant party!”

The “Thirst for Knowledge” event also found many participant, whose were not only rewarded with useful knowledge but also directly with a give-away (cocktailshaker) and a tasty cocktail. The winners of the first prize will be published also at this place.

For all who have missed the trade fair or those who wants to experience it again, our newscast gives you an adequate chance.

Hagen,01.06.2010

Painting Competition - Second round has been concluded successfully

The second round of our painting competition has been finished. Until yesterday kids could send us their best paintings which show the smart connections in their everyday live. We received many great paintings and want to thank all participants for their cretive ideas. In the next days the KOSTAL jury will appoint the winners and we will publish the winning pictures.you can see the paintings at our website and also at the KOSTAL Solar Electric's website.

After the successful second round we start directly  the third one. If you also have an idea of a smart connection: Grab your pencils and brushes and send us your best picture until 30th November 2010. For the winners we have again a special price and every participant will get a small surprice.

Hagen,31.05.2010

The politician René Röspel visited KOSTAL Industrial Electronics

Invited by Mr. Kostal, Hagens politician Mr. Réne Röspel, Member of the German Bundestag, visited the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics. After a company presentation, Mr. Röspel took a tour through our production. He was impressed by the modern production technology and the research and development results in the photovoltaics.
Last item on the agenda was a motivated discussion about the general conditions for innovative companies at the location germany in general and espacially at the location Hagen.

Hagen,20.05.2010

Opening up new paths with KOSTAL - Sponsorship of the job & career forum at the Intersolar Europe

For covering the demand for qualified employees, KOSTAL Industrial Electronics also opens up new paths in the acquisition of staff. Therefore the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics became a sponsor of the official job and career forum at the Intersolar Europe in Munich. In Hall C2 / Booth 550 our human ressources departement will be present with the slogan "Opening up new paths with KOSTAL" for all interested visitors and affords the opportunity to get in contact with us.

Opening up new paths with us - Visit us at the job & career forum and get to know our company KOSTAL Industrial Electronics, catch up on job vacancies or hand in directly your application documents.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Hagen,19.05.2010

KOSTAL at the Intersolar Europe - We quench your "Thirst for Knowledge"

This year again, the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics will exhibit at the Intersolar Europe in Munich. Under our traditional claim “Smart connections”, we will be staging a joint presentation with KOSTAL Solar Electric at our 160 sqm shared stand. In Hall B4 / Booth 350 we will present you not only our customer specific PV junction boxes, but also the whole portfolio of universally usable PV connection technology. The highlight will surely be the automatable PV junction boxes.

Besides new product and application solutions, we will also be staging our ‘Thirst for Knowledge’ event. With this event the smart connections between the both KOSTAL  business units, but especially the smart connection between the visitors and KOSTAL can be experienced in an innovative way.

Become our guest at our modern Booth 350 in Hall B4 and let us quench your "Thirst for Knowledge". In anticipation of your visit, download the exhibition flyer even now.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Hagen,22.04.2010

Girls'Day 2010 at KOSTAL Industrial Electronics

The yearly Girls'Day in Germany is an event that should spark the girl's interest in technical jobs.
Also the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics gives some students an insight into the company. They get to know our philosophie of smart connections in a special presentation for the kids. While a tour through the production the kids took a closer look at our product portfolio of PV inverters, PV junction boxes and drive controller.
In the end of this visit both, the girls and the KOSTAL Team, looked back on an interesting day with much fun.

Hagen,20.04.2010

KOSTAL Industrial Electronics at the SolarExpo in Verona

From 5^th to 7^th May 2010 Italy’s leading exhibition for renewable energies, the SolarExpo takes place in Verona. At the booth of our sales company for PV inverters, the KOSTAL Solar Electric, also the KOSTAL Industrial Electronics will attend the exhibition. In hall 7, booth A4.2 you will get an insight in our portfolio of PV junction technology. Representative for our universal usable PV junction boxes we will present our junction box with leadframe as well as an automatable junction box.

We are looking forward to your visit!

Hagen,19.04.2010

Interview with Andreas Kostal about our drives control platform INVEOR

With our press breakfast at the last years SPS/IPC/Drives exhibition in Nuremberg we were able to spark the medias interest in our innovative INVEOR. Based on this exhibition event there are already numerous of reports published in several business magazines.
To the recent technical report in the messtec drives automation a comment of Andreas Kostal is added. We are glad that he dedicate his first interview as general manager to our INVEOR.

Read the whole German interview.

Hagen,09.04.2010

KOSTAL presents automatable PV connection solutions at the PV Technology Show

This year KOSTAL Industrial Electronics attends for the first time at the PV Technology Show (27. - 29.04.2010) in Stuttgart. As one of the leading companies worldwide in the field of PV connection technology, we develop constantly new solutions for future-oriented applications.

Underlined through our traditional claim "smart connections", we are offering an insight in our portfolio of pv connection solutions at our booth L16 in hall 4. In view of the exhibition focus which is on PV production technology, we will present as part of our wide product portfolio of customer specific and universally usable PV junction boxes only the automatable solutions at our booth. These PV connection solutions fits in the highly automated production process for PV-modules without any difficulties and build simply a "smart connection".
Be inspired by the facts:

• Optimal reliabilty through minimization of contacts
• Effective increase in productivity based on automatable production
• Improved quality through increased process reliabilty

Besides many product and application solutions certainly the interchange of ideas, a personal dialog and the transfer of knowledge are in the focus of our exhibition presentation.

We look forward to seeing you at the show!

Hagen,08.02.2010

PV junction box with leadframes attains an UL certification mark

As one of the very first companies, KOSTAL Industrial Electronics has checked his PV junction box by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). Our PV junction box with leadframe got the certification mark "UL Recognised Component". No other certification is more approved by consumers, regulatory authority and insurance industry in the USA and Canada.
Within the last years America shows a growing interest in renewable energy, so there will be an attractive market for photovoltaic systems. With the UL certification mark, KOSTAL makes allowance for his worldwide activity and has now already established the condition to open up the American market. Furthermore this certification mark makes it easier for our customers to certify the whole module, because there is no additional check of our as "UL Recognised Component" certified junction box necessary.

Hagen,04.01.2010

KOSTAL wishes a happy New Year 2010

The Team of KOSTAL Industrial Electronics wishes a healthy, happy and successful year 2010. We look forward to further smart connections with you.