Eaton Opens New Global Innovation Center to Drive Development of Energy-Efficient Power Systems
January 19 2012 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Diversified industrial manufacturer Eaton Corporation (NYSE:ETN)
joined today with its partners at Czech Invest and the Czech
Technical University in Prague (CVUT) to announce the opening in
Prague of Eaton’s newest global Innovation Center. The new facility
at Roztoky Science & Technology Center will be Eaton's first
global innovation center in Europe and fifth in the company's
global network of advanced innovation centers, also located in the
United States, India and China.
The Innovation Center will conduct cutting-edge research focused
on the development of more energy-efficient power systems and the
electrification of transportation, vehicle and aircraft
applications. Working closely with its partners at the CVUT, Eaton
plans to recruit up to 50 highly skilled engineers within the first
year of the facility’s opening and to increase the total workforce
to about 300 in the next four to five years.
The European Innovation Center will serve Eaton’s regional
global customers such as Škoda Auto, VW Group, E.ON, HP and Czech
Railways to develop next generation power management solutions that
make electrical, hydraulic and mechanical power operate more
efficiently, effectively, safely and sustainably.
Miroslav Křížek, General Director, CzechInvest, highlighted the
importance of Eaton’s announcement to the Czech Republic. “The
opening of Eaton’s Innovation Center in Prague is one of the most
significant inward investments of recent times into the Czech
Republic. This is not only about the creation of 300 highly skilled
jobs, but also a vote of confidence in the ability of the country’s
engineers to deliver world-class innovation.”
Lennart Jonsson, executive vice president and chief technology
officer for Eaton Corporation, highlighted the central challenge
the facility will address. “Eaton’s new Global Innovation Center in
Prague will not only develop technologies that contribute to the
reductions in carbon emissions necessary to stabilize the global
climate, but also help significantly reduce operating costs for
customers in energy-intensive industries from transportation to
information technology. This is important because by 2050, global
energy demand will double, however to limit global temperature
rises to two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, CO2
emissions must be halved. According to the respected International
Energy Agency (IEA), 60% of this target must be met by
energy-efficient technologies – representing a total incremental
investment of $10.5 trillion by 2030.”
Yannis Tsavalas, Eaton’s president for Europe Middle East and
Africa, explained why the decision was taken to locate the facility
in Prague. “We chose to locate the Innovation Center in Prague for
several reasons, but most important for us were the city’s close
proximity to many of our customers in the region, world-class
engineering talent from the Czech Technical University and the
strong support and involvement of Czech authorities. The new
facility will also build on Eaton’s existing operations in the
Czech Republic, which include our Vehicle Group manufacturing
facility in Chomutov and Electrical facilities in Prague and
Suchdol nad Luznici.”
About Eaton in the Czech Republic
Eaton’s Czech operations began in 1993 when they were known as
Felton & Guileaume, which was subsequently acquired by Moeller
GmbH in 1998. Eaton acquired Moeller in 2008. Eaton employs around
1,700 people across facilities in Prague, Suchdolnad Luznici,
Pohorelice and Chomutov. Eaton facilities in the Czech Republic
serve local and global customers including: VW Group, Volvo, E.ON,
HP, IBM and Czech Railways.
About Eaton Corporation
Eaton Corporation is a diversified power management company with
2010 sales of $13.7 billion. Eaton is a global technology leader in
electrical components and systems for power quality, distribution
and control; hydraulics components, systems and services for
industrial and mobile equipment; aerospace fuel, hydraulics and
pneumatic systems for commercial and military use; and truck and
automotive drivetrain and powertrain systems for performance, fuel
economy and safety. Eaton has approximately 73,000 employees and
sells products to customers in more than 150 countries. For more
information, visit www.eaton.com.
Eaton was named in 2011 a Thomson Reuters Top 100 Global
Innovator for its achievements as one of the world’s most
innovative companies.
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