Personal, pragmatic and direct: The partners for medium voltage
Interview with Anna-Lena Hochuli, Operations Manager and Samira Dupuis, Assistant to the Executive Management of Energie Technik Becker GmbH
Energie Technik Becker builds and maintains transformer stations nationwide and as a grown craft business offers many other services in the low and medium voltage sectors: How the grown electrical engineering service provider also makes use of the advantages of digitalization, how it wants to prevent even more faults with its new cable measuring vehicle, and why the company's personal, pragmatic and direct attitude remains indispensable for further success, was revealed by Anna-Lena Hochuli and Samira Dupuis in the interview.
Wirtschaftsforum: Ms. Hochuli, Ms. Dupuis, Energie Technik Becker is nationally known as a specialist for solutions in the low and medium voltage sector - what is the focus of your company's activities?
Samira Dupuis: Essentially, we cover the entire spectrum in electrical engineering - from classic building technology such as the installation of intercom systems to the construction and connection of transformer stations along with the subsequent maintenance work and troubleshooting. The latter field of activity is also the focus of our nationwide business activities.
Wirtschaftsforum: Given the high demands on network expansion while at the same time being cautious with investments, how do you view the current market situation?
Anna-Lena Hochuli: In the low voltage area, the generally decreasing construction activity is also noticeable in our company. However, the situation looks different in the medium voltage sector, which is clearly the focus of attention for Energie Technik Becker: because for the network expansion, the establishment of a comprehensive charging infrastructure, and the commissioning of solar parks, transformer stations will continue to be needed in large quantities – despite a somewhat diminished investment enthusiasm. While one or another industrial company may currently be more cautious with its expenditure positions, the demand for infrastructure for photovoltaic plants and charging stations has significantly grown, from which our company naturally benefits sustainably.
Wirtschaftsforum: At the beginning of the year, you introduced a new innovation in the market with your cable measurement van.
Samira Dupuis: At its core, our solution functions like an X-ray machine for the power grid. With it, we can check cable runs and thus also detect errors early – ideally, before they even lead to a disruption. By avoiding operational failures, we ensure continuous network security, which can then also lead to substantial cost savings. And even if an error should occur, we can react much faster, quickly remedy the existing disturbance, and subsequently take consistent precautions to prevent it from recurring. This technical solution also represents another groundbreaking step towards an all-around carefree package for our customers, in the course of which they can rely on Energie Technik Becker as a strong partner that fully supports them.
Wirtschaftsforum: What other changes are you currently dealing with in your company?
Anna-Lena Hochuli: Digitalization is also advancing in our company, which has enabled us to achieve significant efficiency advantages. As a traditional craft enterprise, however, we face some challenges in this regard: While administrative processes in the office can be digitized relatively easily, the transition on the construction sites is a bit more complex and also involves a higher training effort for our employees. Here, it has proven particularly effective when experienced electricians work together with younger colleagues, thus allowing both to learn easily from each other. When all plans and documents are directly available digitally everywhere, everyone is ultimately convinced of the clear benefits. After receiving ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 certifications for quality management, environmental protection, and occupational safety, we now also have the BG-ETEM certification for occupational safety – we see this as a clear commitment to continue to appear as an attractive employer.
Wirtschaftsforum: Energie Technik Becker likes to summarize its values with the triad 'Personal. Pragmatic. Direct' – how do you embody this attitude in your daily business?
Samira Dupuis: The human aspect is of high importance to us – within the company with flat hierarchies and a friendly-personal interaction, but also in our customer relationships, which we design very transparently and always on an equal footing. Pragmatism for us means: 'Don't talk long – just do it!' Because our solutions must function smoothly in practice, especially when quick action is required in case of disturbances. Sometimes we would like to act even more agilely, but we are occasionally slowed down by bureaucratic hurdles. However, we are very pleased that our convictions also resonate strongly in the market – especially in social media such as Instagram, where we could build a strong community through our authentic and approachable communication.