Quality comes first at Hirschmann

Despite a significant growth in demand for switches and their increasingly higher performance, Hirschmann retains a strong focus on Quality – so that customers can be certain of getting the best possible solutions.

Hirschmann has the widest portfolio of switches, which are applied in key vertical markets including machine building, oil and gas, public transport, traffic control, alternative power generation, power transmission and distribution, data centers, professional broadcast and audio/video, safety and security, and enterprise. To serve this wide range of markets, the company manufactures a growing range of highly sophisticated switches. In 2009, the company produced an estimated 3.500 separate types of device – and since then, the volume of individual units has increased by a massive 20%.

Ability to align the manufacturing capacity
According to Hans-Jürgen Springer, Director Operations, excellent customer solutions from Hirschmann™ require a strong focus on quality: “More than ever, our business is defined by the switches we make, the customers we serve and the work environment we create for our associates. Our key strength is our ability to align our manufacturing capacity to be close to our customers and partners.

“We have adopted efficient, environmentally sound manufacturing processes and
Practices, so called LEAN manufacturing processes that help to reduce waste, and deploys energy efficient technology. The Hirschmann™ production facilities employ a modest number of staff, who are responsible for our growing portfolio of switches, which serves the wide range of markets on which we focus.

“We only build to customer order, so there is no stock with finished goods, yet we are able to guarantee delivery within 10 days, and each switch is tested in accordance with a large number of requirements – meeting all approvals necessary for their specific application. Building to order, as we do, requires very detailed and accurate planning – and in practice it means that every week, we produce a new switch which we have never made before.

“Productivity and flexibility are key drivers for success. However, equally important is the quality of our associates. We have an ongoing training program that ensures we maintain very high levels of quality level - and motivation.

“The events of the past years have taught us a few lessons. For instance, we now know that almost everything can be done better, faster - and leaner. We have fully embraced this particular lesson, so we focus providing solutions that are cost effective and add significant value for our customers. Given the strong emphasis placed on quality, productivity and flexibility, customers can be certain that each of our switches meets the highest standards of quality – and that our overall solutions will deliver added value throughout their lifecycle.”