Special solution for data centers – Interview with Joe Wolfe

Joe, you are Director Engineering and Sales at Wöhner and responsible for sales processing and strategic development of the market in the USA.

In which areas in the USA are you there for your customers with Wöhner solutions?

Joe Wolfe: Wöhner supports North American customers across all industrial electrical markets, with a focus on Automation & Control and Power Distribution. Data Centers fall within the Power Distribution segment, and our solutions address the needs of this market very well.

Nowadays, it is not uncommon for customers to approach us with specific product requirements and custom requests. These requests are often the result of individual needs that cannot be covered by standard solutions. What was your last experience here?

Joe Wolfe: A recent example of this is a US-based customer who required a custom length CrossBoard for an RPP (Remote Power Panel) application. Our standard portfolio includes 9 lengths, up to 1,100 mm.

In this case, by customising the CrossBoard length, the customer was able to ensure their specific requirements were met, resulting a compact power distribution solution for their RPP.

The forecast for this requirement is 80,000 CrossBoards over the next 5 years. At what quantity is such a special solution worthwhile?

Joe Wolfe: Each custom request is unique. Therefore it’s difficult to put an exact figure on that. What I can say is that special solutions offer great added value to the customer, even in smaller volumes, and we are happy to make them a reality through our know-how.

Did the customer have any other application requirements?

Joe Wolfe: Yes. The customer required CrossBoard to be mounted in a vertical orientation, with phase rotation capability. This adaptation was crucial to meet NEC requirements for the end-use application.

Another important aspect of the project was UL certification. In order to meet the high demands of the industry, all components must comply with the relevant UL standards. This ensures safety and reliability of the system.

From idea to implementation in just 5 months – how was that possible?

Joe Wolfe: This project would not have been possible without the intensive and trusting cooperation between everyone involved. From the very beginning, it was crucial that the client had a clear idea of their requirements and goals. This foundation formed the basis for all further steps. Through regular meetings and open communication, all participants were able to contribute their expertise and develop the solution collectively.

The adjustments and structural changes resulting from the customer's request illustrate the complexity and challenges associated with tailor-made solutions.

We are pleased to have accompanied our customer on this journey.