The federal government is toying with a new missile defense system, for the industry the upcoming budget consultations are about several billion euros.
“Vincorion” in Altenstadt would also like to get a nice piece of the cake.
The company has positioned itself broadly and dropped the name “Jenoptik” two years ago.
In Altenstadt, the flags of Jenoptik are no longer blowing in the wind, but those of "Vincorion"
The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Jena group
Mainly energy systems are produced for the Bundeswehr
Great hopes are now placed on an order for a new German missile defense system (TLVS)
Altenstadt - A lot has happened on the southern Roman road in Altenstadt.
The Jenoptik flags have disappeared, now the name “Vincorion” is blowing in the wind.
The heads of the successful company have remained the same.
"We can identify very well with the new name," they say.
The child got a new name because it doesn't have much to do with optics
“Vincorion” is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Jenoptik Group.
The child was given a new name two years ago because it has always had little to do with optics.
Then, as now, the Altenstadt site was primarily dedicated to mechatronics.
Ultramodern and robust units and generators are developed and manufactured.
The main customer is the military.
The machines generate electricity for small and large camps, for example.
They drive radar systems and other "safety-critical systems".
And they generate the electricity for the American Patriot missile defense system.
To protect the EU's external border: power for the American missile defense system Patriot
As is well known, the Americans used the defense system to fetch the Russian Scud rockets from the sky, which dictator Saddam Hussein had fired at Israel, back in 1991 during the Iraq war.
Patriot is still used today by the military in the European Union to protect the EU's external border.
The trailers with the power units for the weapon system are mainly supplied by “Vincorion”.
The Bundestag decides on the new system, and Altenstadt is also looking forward to Berlin
But now a new era is about to dawn in Germany.
Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to purchase a new, so-called tactical air defense system (TLVS).
According to government circles, it could cost up to eight billion euros.
It is considered to be one of the most expensive armaments projects in recent years.
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Well positioned: “Vincorion” site manager Philippe Euzennat and product manager Daniel Zeitler in front of the new portable modular energy system for the German armed forces.
© Jörg von Rohland
In Altenstadt, too, people are now looking forward to the budget deliberations in the Bundestag, which could soon release the funds for TLVS.
Provided that he does that and "Vincorion" comes into the tender for the energy systems for TLVS, the currently 220 employees in Altenstadt would get a few more colleagues: Site manager Philippe Euzennat expects 17 new employees in development alone, the five years permanent be busy.
“That would be half of our resources today,” emphasizes the French.
How many euros could ultimately ring in the cash register of "Vincorion" with TLVS, the location boss leaves open.
The company has two other hot irons in the fire of the Bundeswehr
The energy system for TLVS would be a very big fish that the people of Altenstadt would love to pull ashore.
But they are not dependent on the order.
According to product manager Daniel Zeitler, there are currently two other hot irons that the company has on fire in the Bundeswehr.
For example a portable modular energy system.
It can be fed from various energy sources;
for example also from photovoltaic systems.
The highlight: Every soldier can easily operate the device on the touchscreen.
The transformation of the input voltage to the current that comes from the socket is fully automatic.
Diesel aggregate fleet is being renewed: Several thousand devices are involved
The second hot iron promises even more sales: The Bundeswehr wants to renew its entire fleet of diesel engines.
That is several thousand units, according to product manager Zeitler.
In 2021, “Vincorion”, which has two other locations in Germany and one in the USA in addition to the one in Altenstadt, will be tendered for the units.
It is said that the market is competitive.
Nevertheless, the Altenstadters expect good chances.
Rail and aviation are also customers
And then there is also the company's second mainstay: “Vincorion” develops and produces not just for the military.
A third of customers come from the civil sector.
In addition to aviation, the Altenstaders primarily serve the rail sector.
For example, when it comes to manufacturing and installing a tailor-made diesel unit for an electric locomotive.
It is used on the so-called last mile: when the train changes from an electrified to a simple railway line.
The diesel engine starts and supplies the electricity in the required strength via the unit.
The diesel is likely to become obsolete soon
But the diesel will probably soon be a discontinued model even with “Vincorion”.
Hybridization, battery storage, photovoltaics and fuel cells are all areas that flow into the development of new systems, according to the site management.
And with or without the new missile defense system for the Bundeswehr, one thing is clear: "We are continuing to grow in development."
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