Weidmüller launches Academy Asia

A center for education, training, research and knowledge networking has been opened by Weidmüller in Shanghai. In the Weidmüller Academy Asia, trainees will be taught, employees coached and technology research conducted in cooperation with universities, institutions and experts.

“Academy Asia is the center of training and knowledge networks with which we plan to build our expertise in China,” said Weidmüller CEO, Dr Peter Köhler. “The new competence and knowledge centre in eastern Asia brings us closer to the local market – and to the people with the potential and motivation.”

Head of the Weidmüller Academy is Dr Eberhard Niggemann, who has built up the Academy since its launch at the company's headquarters in Detmold, Germany, in 2003. The Asian offshoot has been built based on this successful model.

“We have already won the support of renowned universities in China, for example the Shanghai Jiaotong University and the North China Electric Power University from Beijing,” Dr Niggemann said. “With our local Academy we are closer to the regional trends and requirements, and also to the potential future employees. We also increase the know-how of our Chinese employees and train them in a targeted way.”

One of the targets in China, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce and other German companies, is to further strengthen the dual vocational training. Other aspects are personnel development with comprehensive training programs, supporting students and young research scientists as well as product and application training for Asian customers.

Weidmüller has been present in China since 1994, initially with sales structures established and located in Shanghai. The company now has a production facility in Suzhou along with two R&D centers for developing new technologies for electrical connection technology and electronics.

“Many companies still have concerns about the loss of knowhow. Our experience shows that strengthening partnerships and relationships as well as placing manufacturing facilities and research centers locally in Asia has strengthened our group,” affirmed Weidmüller CEO Dr Peter Köhler.