be top magazine from the Friedhelm Loh Group highlights efficiency booster for the energy sector
The energy sector is under a lot of pressure. German distribution grid operators need to get their infrastructure ready for the energy transition. The new edition of be top explains how more speed is being brought into the modernisation of energy systems. The company magazine of the Friedhelm Loh Group – which encompasses Rittal, Eplan, Cideon, Stahlo and LKH – provides a platform for experts from the industry ...
Friedhelm Loh Group announces new member of the Board of Directors
The Friedhelm Loh Group is realigning its group of companies for the future. The global player, based in Haiger, Hesse, is expanding its Board of Directors to achieve this. Prof. Dr. Niko Mohr will join the board, which currently consists of owner and Chairman Prof. Dr. Friedhelm Loh and CFO Ralph Lindackers. In addition, he will take over as CEO of Rittal International and Rittal Software Systems on November 1, 2024. The companies of the Friedhelm Loh Group are globally successful, with innovative system solutions for control, switchgear and machine building, as well as in the growth sector of IT infrastructure and cutting-edge industries such as energy and power.
Rittal develops megawatt cooling for AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) promises revolutionary benefits. Is the IT infrastructure ready? Data centre operators are breaking new technological ground with their technology partners. Rittal now presents a new cooling solution that delivers over 1 megawatt of cooling output and paves the way for AI.
How data spaces are helping industry forge ahead
Challenges such as the energy crisis, the transition to an All Electric Society and the need to protect our climate all call for radical measures. There is pressure to change everywhere we look, including – and especially – in industry. So, which solutions are making the transformation possible? The latest issue of “be top” – the Friedhelm Loh Group company magazine – showcases the successful steps Rittal, Eplan, Cideon, German Edge Cloud, Stahlo and LKH customers are taking, especially when it comes to processes and process optimisation.
Stahlo brings digital transparency to the supply chain
From the carbon footprint to the circular economy – for large industrial challenges, steel almost always makes the difference when such energy-intensive material is processed into products. Not only new processes are needed for green steel, but also independent and standardised documentation along the entire supply chain. Stahlo, as an independent steel service centre, presents new possibilities at Blechexpo: the Stahlo Steel Compass for determining emissions and the Digital Material Passport (DMP).
The “Best Place to Learn” – shaping the future through first-class training
The Friedhelm Loh Group has been awarded the “Best Place to Learn” seal of approval for its in-house training based on over 70 criteria. Evaluators confirmed the Friedhelm Loh Group provides first-class conditions in terms of induction, training course content, practical experience and professional outlook, showing that young people are ideally prepared for their professional future here.
Powered up and full of opportunities – how manufacturing companies can pick up speed
The energy transition is a mammoth task to perform. However, the opportunities facing manufacturing companies are huge, for instance, accelerated grid expansion and smart energy management. In the new issue of the “be top” magazine, the Friedhelm Loh Group shows how manufacturing companies can bring more speed to the restructuring of energy systems and more transparency to energy management. In interviews, best-practice examples, and reference stories, Rittal, Eplan, Cideon, German Edge Cloud, Stahlo, and LKH report on how they support their customers with expert knowledge and innovations – for example in the digitalisation, standardisation and automation of value creation processes, as well as in green steel and plastics technology.
Standing strong together: 580,000 euros in donations for earthquake victims and social causes
Herborn, 21 March 2022 – Give encouragement, alleviate hardship, and set an example, especially when people have suffered hardship. This is a matter close to the hearts of the employees and senior management of the Friedhelm Loh Group – wherever they live and work, regionally and internationally. After the shocking images emerged from Turkey and Syria, together they therefore very quickly collected 380,000 euros for the earthquake victims in the two countries. The annual employee donations in 2022 had already raised 200,000 euros for charitable causes, which will now be distributed to eleven organisations through the Rittal Foundation.
Stahlo will secure “Green Steel” from Salzgitter as of 2025
Dillenburg, 21. December 2022 – Starting in 2021, Stahlo has been purchasing CO2-reduced steel from Salzgitter Flachstahl and delivering it to emission-conscious customers. Now, the Steel Service Centre, a member of the Friedhelm Loh Group, has secured SALCOS steel from the end of 2025. Consequently, according to the Stahlo classification, customers will receive C+ and B+ emission class steels and be able to achieve their goal of further CO2-optimisation of their steel purchasing for the years to come.
Stahlo and Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH conclude partnering agreement
Dillenburg / Salzgitter, 19. Dezember 2022 – The Stahlo Steel Service Center and Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH have concluded a partnering agreement on the supply of green steel. With this step, the company, which is part of the Friedhelm Loh Group, is already securing CO2-reduced steel that will be produced and supplied according to the SALCOS® concept as from the end of 2025.
Three digital twins to tackle tomorrow’s production needs
After nearly a decade of Industry 4.0, factories are still at the very start of the digital transformation in many areas. So, what is needed to drive the progress of smart production? The answer is an understanding of the three digital twins and their structure and networking in data-consistent ecosystems. The new edition of “be top” shows how Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud are using their domain knowledge to help companies achieve just this. Furthermore, the Group magazine presents a new approach by Stahlo for the carbon tracking of supply chains in terms of steel, and shows how LKH is optimising the value creation process for plastic components.
German Edge Cloud and Scheer PAS: Strategic partnership for digital transformation in manufacturing
German Edge Cloud and Scheer PAS are pooling their strengths. The strategic partnership brings together two owner-managed companies with a reputation as pioneers of digital transformation. Faster digitalisation of production processes is the goal. Companies today need a higher level of flexibility and agility to adapt their production processes to new market demands. They must be able to react faster and more purposefully to unforeseen internal and external circumstances. Improvements in the areas of quality, resilience, delivery capabilities, transparency and OEE are the decisive benefits.
Fifty years of Rittal Sweden: A springboard for international success
“Just do it.” It was with great courage that Rittal – then a small company – ventured abroad in 1971: In the basement of a small Swedish house, the inventor of the volume-produced enclosure founded its first foreign subsidiary. It became the springboard for the company’s worldwide growth from a sheet-metal processor in Germany’s Central Hesse region to an international digital enterprise. On the occasion of Rittal Sweden’s 50th-anniversary celebration, owner Professor Friedhelm Loh and the management and employees in Ängelholm looked back on an extraordinary story and how it will continue.
What the smart factory of tomorrow needs today
The goals of digital transformation in industry are clearly defined. It all comes down to more transparency, knowledge and speed in operations – but what does that mean for production managers responsible for machinery, equipment and systems? The new issue of the “be top” company magazine provides answers and presents practical experiences as well as solutions from Rittal, Eplan, Cideon and German Edge Cloud (GEC) that may prove helpful for customers when embarking on the journey to smart production. Also included: Stahlo and LKH with contributions on Green Steel and ways out of the procurement crisis, and a look at the two biggest fundraising campaigns in the company’s history. Around € 1.5 million were donated in total by employees and owners for flood relief in Germany and Ukraine.
Helping and setting an example: € 600,000 donated to people in the war zone
01.04.2022. Ukraine is still firmly in the grip of war several weeks after it started. Millions of people are living in fear and terror, having lost their homes, and with an uncertain future. Helping people wherever possible is the order of the day for the employees and the owner of the Friedhelm Loh Group: Besides numerous relief measures, they have together donated €600,000 for people in the war zone. Last year, a huge amount was given to help the German flood disaster victims. The Group has donated no less than € 1.5 million to people in need during the last eight months, giving hope where it is most needed.
“Top employer” for the digital future
17.03.2022. According to the Top Employers Institute, the Friedhelm Loh Group is one of the best companies in Germany to work for. The company has now received the coveted award for the fourteenth time in a row. The award honours the attractiveness of the family-run enterprise as an employer.
Quick and unbureaucratic flood relief: Employee donations give encouragement
Rapid assistance was needed after a disastrous flood caused significant destruction in parts of Germany last summer. No less than €930,000 was raised for the people affected, thanks to the great willingness by the employees and Owner of the Friedhelm Loh Group to make donations. Now, barely five months later, two thirds of the total amount has already been given to local recipients, representing a vital lifeline in times of great need. Furthermore, things are moving forward in the projects.
The triple award-winning magazine “be top”: Shaping the energy revolution
“Shaping the energy revolution” is the title of the new issue of “be top”, which appeared at the end of November. The Friedhelm Loh Group’s corporate magazine (in German, English and Chinese), with a circulation of 30,000, presents some smart ideas and solutions for the growing energy market over more than 80 pages. Topics include the latest energy storage solutions in the automotive industry, battery energy storage solutions for e-charging stations, switchgear with accidental arc protection, secure power supply technology for data centres, and energy-efficient cooling technology. At the time as the new “be top” appeared, the magazine also received two ICMA awards and one Fox award for issues that appeared in 2020 and 2021.
Friedhelm Loh Group acquires Digital Technology Poland
Friedhelm Loh Group enterprises are optimizing and industrializing their customers' value chains in industry and IT. The key to today's progress and future business models for customers is end-to-end data. To further drive this development for custom-ers with Eplan, Rittal and German Edge Cloud, the Friedhelm Loh Group has extended its resources with technical expertise from Poland: The long-term development partner Digital Technology Poland is now 100% part of the group.
Stahlo is focusing on networking and “green steel”
The networking of companies, technologies, processes and services will shape the steel trade of the future, and Stahlo Stahlservice is ideally pre-pared for this. At the 2021 Blechexpo trade show in Stuttgart (26 – 29 October), the company will be presenting its comprehensive synergy expertise as one of the largest mill-independent steel service centres in Germany under the motto “We network people, resources and technologies”. The focus is on steel service, coil trading, the digital marketplace, prefabrication and contract partnerships. “Green Steel,” currently the most important strategic issue, is also more than just on Stahlo Stahlservice’s radar screen. Industry professionals will be given expert information on steel classifications, quality and procurement sources.
New chair and realignment at the Rittal Foundation
The Foundation Board of the Rittal Foundation has bid farewell to its chairman Friedemann Hensgen after 30 years of service to the company. His successor is Rainer Reissner as Managing Director, who has many years of experience in theological as well as welfare and social work. With him, the Rittal Foundation is repositioning itself as the organ of the Friedhelm Loh Group’s social commitment and strengthening its support activities around the company’s locations in Germany.
Rittal celebrates the one millionth VX25 – and its employees
The year 2021 is a triple milestone for Rittal. The company is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding, the 75th birthday of owner Prof. Friedhelm Loh, and now also the VX25. On 16th August, the one millionth enclosure rolled off the production line. Special thanks are here due to the 1,240 employees at the Rittershausen location. The owner and representatives of company management now honoured their achievement at a commemorative ceremony – on the very same production floor where the VX25 is being manufactured day after day.
Friedhelm Loh Group donates record sum of 930,000 euros to flood victims
The images are unforgettable: a few weeks ago, torrential rain in parts of Germany led to major flooding, causing almost unimaginable destruction. The owner and employees of the Friedhelm Loh Group were united in wanting to help. They rapidly collected a total of 930,000 euros – more than ever before in the company’s long history of donations. The money will be made available quickly and unbureaucratically to programs designed to aid schools and kindergartens, youth work and support for the elderly, as well as to private persons via official donation accounts.
Friedhelm Loh turns 75 – entrepreneur, encourager and visionary in the progress of digital transformation
He is driven by curiosity about new things: He is Honorary President of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI), Honorary Professor of the State of Hesse, and has an Honorary Doctorate from the Technical University of Chemnitz. He is in demand on the European political stage when it comes to digitalisation issues and is driving trends and innovations in the marketplace. In addition, he is a passionate mover and shaker and the owner of a globally active family business with 11,600 employees, is socially committed in a variety of ways and a dedicated Christian. Friedhelm Loh – as an entrepreneur and a human being – is all these things. Today he turns 75; he is active in every field that one could (or could not) imagine.
Schuler and German Edge Cloud start a strategic cooperation
German Edge Cloud (GEC), which specialises in edge and cloud systems, is cooperating with Schuler, a machine and plant building company. In this context, Schuler is offering a track-and-trace solution for press plants within the Digital Suite, based on technology from German Edge Cloud. The Schuler Digital Suite with the “track-and-trace application powered by GEC” is being used, among other things, in the Smart Press Shop, a joint venture between Schuler and Porsche.
Studying with fun, courage and a thirst for knowledge
This summer, fifteen young men and women started a dual bachelor’s degree course combining study and practical work experience in the Friedhelm Loh Group (StudiumPlus). The bachelor students are beginning a seven-semester course at Rittal and Loh Services, focusing on mechanical engineering, information technology, and logistics management. A reception by senior executives and an eventful introductory week at the company locations in Herborn and Haiger ensured a successful start.
Friedhelm Loh Group receives awards for employee development
Opening up perspectives and creating spaces for development in digitisation: As the largest employer in the Central Hesse region, the Friedhelm Loh Group was able to impress the Top Employers Institute. This year, the renowned institute certified the group of companies as a “Top German Employer” for the thirteenth time in a row. “We are proud to have been recognised once again,” says Steffen Kuras, ” Head of HR Marketing and Recruiting at the Friedhelm Loh Group: “This seal of quality will motivate us not just to be satisfied with what we have achieved so far. We want to continue improving to create ideal conditions and perspectives for our employees in the digital future.”
Friedhelm Loh Group donates record sum of 220,000 euros
In 2020, Friedhelm Loh Group employees gave hope in especially hard times – through their support for charities Caritas-Werkstätten Westerwald-Rhein-Lahn, Oberlausitz Kinderhilfe, Debora Foundation India and eight further non-profits. Their contributions were made within the scope of the Friedhelm Loh Group’s traditional annual donation – and this past year, the initiative was more important than ever. FLG employees, together with members of management, raised a record sum of 220,000 euros.
From steel manufacturer to an international digital company - in 60 years
It is April 1, 1961, when an international success story begins in a small weaving mill in central Hesse - the standardization of enclosures. Rudolf Loh founds the Rittal company and changes the industry with one idea. What was initially smiled at is now a phenomenon: The standard enclosure is used in millions of product solutions in over 90 percent of all industries worldwide. Rittal is the innovation and world market leader for enclosure technology and IT infrastructure. 10,000 employees worldwide work on new innovations, industry solutions and business models. A small steel manufacturing company has become a global digital enterprise. What hasn't changed: Rittal is a family business - responsibility, solidarity and social commitment have always been a top priority.
Rittal and Stulz: a partnership of pioneers
Rittal and Stulz have announced the immediate launch of a worldwide partnership for the provision of made-to-measure data centre infrastructure, consulting, support and services. Customers will benefit from one-stop IT infrastructure solutions and from an expanded portfolio of premium and precision cooling systems for mid-size and large data centres.
Well-earned applause: Twenty-one students celebrate graduation
A significant milestone on life’s journey: Twenty-one bachelor students on the Friedhelm Loh Group co-operative education programme are celebrating their successful degree results and crowning their three-and-a-half years of work and study with impressive certificates. Grateful congratulations, personal profiles and reliving the time spent studying together made the digital graduation ceremony a personal celebration for all graduates despite their physical distance from each other.
Markus Asch appointed CEO of Rittal International and RSS International
Effective February 1, 2021, Professor Friedhelm Loh, Owner and CEO of the Friedhelm Loh Group, appointed Markus Asch (49) as CEO of Rittal International Stiftung & Co. KG and Chairman of the Management Board of Rittal GmbH & Co. He is therefore responsible for all the Business Units of the world's leading provider of solutions for enclosures, power distribution, climate control, IT infrastructure, software and service with 9,700 employees. Asch also assumes overall responsibility for Rittal Software & Service (RSS) International with the Eplan and Cideon units and 1,400 employees. With software solutions, system technology and machines for automation, the three companies of the Friedhelm Loh Group optimize the processes of their customers in control and switchgear engineering across the board and drive future business areas.
German Edge Cloud and IBM take a hybrid cloud solution for industrial edge computing directly onto the shop floor
The rapid and straightforward implementation of data-driven shop floor applications with simultaneous data sovereignty is currently one of the most significant challenges facing manufacturing industry. ONCITE industrial edge appliance from German Edge Cloud (GEC) has been expanded to include components from the IBM Cloud Paks, which is built on Red Hat’s “OpenShift” Kubernetes platform for enterprises. Even if they have few resources and little expertise, production companies, OEM manufacturers and the supply industry can quickly benefit from digitalisation in manufacturing through hybrid cloud deployment with this package that consists of hardware, software and application management services.
German Edge Cloud teaches a lesson: Cloud solution for Hesse’s school portal copes with high demand
With a tablet computer instead of a blackboard: In schools, the future is a digital one. The coronavirus situation makes this quite clear. Since the start of the 2020/21 academic year, Hesse's school portal has been used as a digital educational learning and working platform for teachers and students. German Edge Cloud (GEC) provides services such as a cloud architecture based on the requirements for scalability and the special features of educational activities. GEC’s services permit high usage figures and make the portal easy to use. This was crucial at the start of the year as Hesse’s school portal experienced an enormous demand on the first day of school and – unlike other federal states – coped without any problems. Hesse expects up to about 2.5 million users in the future.
Friedhelm Loh Group bundles expertise: German Edge Cloud is formed from three start-ups
Three companies in the Friedhelm Loh Group – German Edge Cloud, IoTOS and iNNOVO Cloud – have now become one. The expertise of the companies in the IIoT, cloud and edge computing markets, is now being powerfully combined in German Edge Cloud (GEC). The merger has two main focuses: Customers in the manufacturing industry will gain significant efficiency advantages from the company’s edge cloud solutions, for example through data analytics and will maintain full data sovereignty. Secondly, as a cloud automation partner, GEC permits the migration and automation of customer applications in multi-cloud environments, as well as enabling secure, Gaia-X compliant and highly available operation.
Dr Clemens Weis is Cideon’s new managing director
There has been a change in the management of Cideon Software & Services: Dr Clemens Weis took over the operational management of Cideon Software & Services on 1 November 2020. With his experience and expertise in digital transformation processes and the latest platform technologies, he will be maintaining the company’s steady development.
We’re on our way! Fifty-seven new recruits join the Friedhelm Loh Group
Ready for the future! This summer, fifty-seven young men and women began either a vocational training or a bachelor degree course combining study and work experience at the Friedhelm Loh Group. In the first few weeks, the 40 trainees and the 17 cooperative-education students got to know the Group, gaining an insight into Industry 4.0 production, and having a “hands-on” introduction to digitisation and team building with their new colleagues.
The Friedhelm Loh Group’s annual donation raises €215,000 for charitable causes
Doing something big through many small individual donations is what drives the Friedhelm Loh Group’s annual charitable donation. This year, the employees of the family-run business, along with proprietor Professor Friedhelm Loh, donated the considerable sum of €215,000. In doing so, they are supporting eleven regional non-profit organisations at the group’s locations, as well as the international organisation “Aktion Deutschland hilft” (Germany’s Relief Coalition).
Friedhelm Loh Group is a founding member of the GAIA-X organization
GAIA-X, the major European digital project aimed at strengthening Europe’s position in international competition, is to become an organisation with the capacity to act and with legal capacity. The goal is to establish a European data infrastructure for the secure digitisation and networking of industry, finance and healthcare, and as a basis for the use of new applications with artificial intelligence (AI). Professor Friedhelm Loh was one of the co-founders of this major European project, which was launched last autumn by Peter Altmaier, Germany’s Federal Minister of Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy. The Friedhelm Loh Group with its German Edge Cloud subsidiary will be a founding member of the new GAIA-X Foundation.
5G at Rittal: The new mobile communications standard finds its way into manufacturing
Rittal is one of the first industrial players to receive a 5G frequency allocation. Before the end of the year, a private 5G mobile communications network will be installed in the new Haiger plant. The first pilot projects, for example in production monitoring and analysis, have already been defined.
Friedhelm Loh Group wins innovation award with ONCITE
Rittal Cup results in record donations: football for a good cause
The top league of automotive suppliers
Into the monastery – for progress
Perfectly prepared for electro-mobility
Rittal receives special award for digital transformation at paint shop
The Friedhelm Loh Group is taking over IoTOS, a start-up based in Limburg, Germany
German Edge Cloud, Bosch Connected Industry and IoTOS provide a comprehensive solution for an industrial ecosystem
Oliver Sonst is the new Managing Director at Stahlo Stahlservice
German Edge Cloud demonstrates that edge computing is a key technology for smart factories
They did it: Young professionals celebrate successful completion of courses
“betop” magazine awarded gold and silver
Bosch Global Supplier Award for Rittal
Stahlo Customer Event: First insights into the new plant
New member of the Rittal Management Board
A milestone for strong cooperation
Rittal awarded prize by German Design Council
Innovo Cloud at Hanover Trade Fair 2019
Supporting electromobility
Rittal, SICP and WestfalenWIND IT win German Data Centre Award
Uwe Scharf is Managing Director responsible for Rittal’s IT and Industry Business Units and Marketing
New forms of collaboration: “be top” now also available as an online magazine
Using curiosity to stay on the ball
Hand in hand – Friedhelm Loh Group gives untrained refugees a chance
Hand in hand – Friedhelm Loh Group gives untrained refugees a chance
Experience makes us stronger – the Friedhelm Loh Group honours its long-serving employees
Learning and working worldwide: Around 80 new young talents in the Friedhelm Loh Group
Learning for life: 110 young professionals complete training and studies
Impetus for a digital future – Rittal endows a chair for Industry 4.0
Rittal honoured as a driver of innovations among medium-sized companies
Rittal honoured as an electronics pioneer
Girls’ Day gets girls interested in technology
A new start in life: Rittal Foundation supports at-risk people
A decision for the future: Stahlo invests in Gera
Friedhelm Loh Group named a top employer for its commitment to its people
Friedhelm Loh Group employees and owner donate €180,000 to help people in need
Cool award – Rittal cooling unit wins Best of Industry Award
Focus on people: Rittal wins award for best PR picture of the year
Entrepreneur and standard-bearer: receives Leadership Award
From personnel number to distinctive personality: Seventeen new trainees join the Friedhelm Loh Group
Help that gets to where it’s needed – Rittal Foundation celebrates fifth anni-versary
96 young people have acquired the knowledge and skills needed in digital manufacturing
A “hands-on” display of Control and Switchgear Manufacturing 4.0: Grand opening of the Rittal Innovation Center
Rittal lays foundation stone for new, highly advanced production plant
A powerful motivator and a hard worker: On the 70th birthday of Dr. Friedhelm Loh
Goals and entertainment at the Rittal Cup – and money raised for a good cause
Those who dare do something new will win: Seventeen new students at the Friedhelm Loh Group
A growing community: The Friedhelm Loh Group’s ‘SeniorenClub’ celebrates its fifteenth anniversary
Biggest investment in company’s history – Rittal gears up for future
Work experience for 33 girls at the Friedhelm Loh Group
The Friedhelm Loh Group helps the Oberndorf Youth Retreat
The Friedhelm Loh Group is one of the best enterprises providing training
Friedhelm Loh Group apprentices move onto permanent positions
A strong community: Friedhelm Loh Group is "Top Employer" again
Man of action and visionary: Friedhelm Loh receives honorary doctorate from the Technical University of Chemnitz
Karl-Ulrich Köhler becomes Chairman of the Management Board of Rittal International
Empowered by values, courage and positivity
Opening new horizons: the Friedhelm Loh Group launches a new exchange programme for students
Friedhelm Loh Group: trainees take action for the region
Friedhelm Loh Group: trainees take action for the region
German Industry Innovation Award: Blue e+ is the best product in 2015!
Funding for innovative refugee training project approved
Welcome to the world of work!
Pilot project offers refugees unique skills development opportunities
“be top” wins prestigious award
Freedom on four wheels
Spontaneous fundraising campaign: staff collection raises €170,000 for earthquake victims
Still top: The Friedhelm Loh Group is an outstanding employer
Field tests planned for later this year
Friedhelm Loh Group takes over Kuttig
Rittal buys Kiesling Maschinentechnik
Eplan presents new website
Mr Guido Stannek appointed Rittal President
Managers from 52 countries meet in the Rittal Arena
Friedhelm Loh establishes charitable Rittal Foundation
€ 570,000 donated for social and charitable institutions
Hermann Tetzner is the new CFO of the Friedhelm Loh Group
School's out – what next?
50 years of success thanks to you
To give is to gain
On course for future careers
260,000 euros to fight famine in the Horn of Africa
Enclosure manufacturer makes a major contribution towards protecting the environment
Rittal extends its sponsorship of the "Rittal Arena" and HSG Wetzlar 
€ 3 billion sales worldwide by 2015
50,000 euros for children with cancer
Huge praise for Rittal trainees
Support for new disabled facility in Burbach 
Friedhelm Loh Group among the worldwide growth champions