Whether cast resin or oil distribution transformers, power transformers or large transformers: the products of the SGB-SMIT Group are in demand all over the world, enjoy an excellent reputation and are considered a benchmark in many areas when it comes to power distribution.
However, it is not only the finished products of the individual group members that are in demand - but also the technologies and consulting services of our specialists. For this reason, the "Licensing and Consulting" department was founded some time ago, which intends to develop its own profit center from the licensing of our exclusive transformer designs and from consulting proven services. It conducts worldwide discussions with transformer manufacturers, e.g. if they want to enrich their own product range or bring their production up to the current state of transformer technology. SGB-SMIT also makes its expertise available to pure investors who want to enter transformer production, i.e. for "greenfield" projects. The coordination of such activities in the "Licensing and Consulting" department ensures that, on the one hand, this field is not only worked on "opportunistically" but also through active acquisition in selected markets and, on the other hand, that SGB- SMIT is growing in importance as a brand, since the projects are concentrated on "protected" markets for which there are few opportunities for product sales.
Tubos Trans Electric S.A. (TTE) and SGB-SMIT have been working together since 2011. SGB-SMIT was asked by TTE to evaluate their current power transformer technology and a contract was signed to review the current state of the art of the manufacturing facilities of TTE. Both companies have been in close cooperation for several years now - without any competition, as they operate in different markets.
Within the framework of such technical assessment service agreement, a TTE delegation, namely Technology and Engineering Manager Eduardo Tolcachir and R&D Manager Jorge Leiva, visited three SGB-SMIT sites in November 2019: SGB Regensburg (cast resin and medium-power transformers) and SBG Neumark (distribution transformers and compact stations) in Germany and RETRASIB in Sibiu, Romania. The visit to Romania in particular, proved to be very beneficial for TTE, as it was possible to visit a plant which is in the middle of the transition from the previous production to production according to SGB-SMIT standards.
Eduardo Tolcachir commented after this visit: "The most important thing about such an exchange is that you look beyond your own nose and put well-worn processes to the test. At RETRASIB in particular we have experienced that sometimes only small optimizations are needed to significantly optimize a production - and thus the products".
In February/March 2020, two experts from the SGB SMIT Group - Reinold Bertel for production and quality and Gilberto Moreira for technology - spent two weeks at the TTE plant in Cordoba, Argentina for the agreed assessment of the processes and production quality. They were able to make valuable observations, validate the projected layout of the facility, and the purchased equipment, make recommendations and carry out a benchmark evaluation of four pre-selected power transformer designs. The visit was perceived by both sides as very cooperative, supportive and efficient.
Reinold Bertel comments on the results achieved as follows: "Energy distribution is a task that requires high standards to be maintained globally: There is no room for small-scale thinking, international cooperation is required. For us, the exchange with TTE was further proof that all participants benefit from each other in such cooperation".
Joaquíin Cáceres Alvarez, Managing Director of TTE, summarizes the cooperation so far: "In such consultations, it is not important to transfer the corporate culture from one company to another - that would not work at all. Nevertheless, you can learn a lot from what others do differently. The consultants from SGB-SMIT have shown us where improvements can be made - and how we can maintain our own corporate DNA and use it effectively.
The final evaluation report has now been submitted to TTE and both sides agree that cooperation should continue and possibly be raised to another level. The common goal is to support TTE in gaining competitiveness and increasing its importance in Latin America.
On the companies:
TTE is one of the leading manufacturers of distribution and power transformers in Argentina and can look back on more than 60 years of experience in the design and manufacture of transformers up to 300 MVA and 220 kV. Having achieved IEC 60076-5 short circuit test in 2014 at CESI, it exports to United States of America and most of the countries in Latin America. And it is in process of expanding and technologically updating its manufacturing facility to serve its growing local and international demand.
The SGB-SMIT Group, based in Regensburg, Germany, is the leading independent European transformer manufacturer with highest customer dedication and more than 100 years of production experience. Thanks to their transformer specialists, their flexibility, their hands- on mentality and their utmost commitment to quality SGB- SMIT has grown to 14 sites worldwide owning technology for low voltage, power distribution, transmission and generation up to 1200 MVA and 765 kV.
