The international expert organization DEKRA has acquired Hungarian Electric Large Laboratories VEIKI-VNL Kft. in Budapest. In doing so, DEKRA is expanding its range of testing and certification services in the power and energy market. VEIKI-VNL specializes in the testing and certification of electrical transmission and distribution (T&D) equipment.
VEIKI-VNL has around 60 employees and is a member of the Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL), the association of companies for short circuit testing laboratories. At its in-house laboratories in Budapest, VEIKI-VNL offers a broad range of services, e.g. short circuit testing, high voltage testing, temperature rise testing, as well as mechanical and aging tests. The company supplies its services to reputable national and multinational T&D equipment manufacturers as well as energy utility companies in over 40 countries on all continents.
"DEKRA and VEIKI-VNL complement each other well with their respective service portfolios," says Ivo Rauh, Member of the Management Board of DEKRA SE and Head of DEKRA's Industrial activities. "From VEIKI-VNL's perspective, being incorporated under the DEKRA roof creates exceptional opportunities to boost existing business, expand further, and leverage synergies through DEKRA's broad network of laboratories and local offices. DEKRA is going to be the global partner for a safe world."
Next to Product Testing and Certification, VEIKI-VNL's expertise and strong, long-lasting foundation will support other strategic DEKRA business units, such as Material Testing & Inspection and Business Assurance. In recent years, DEKRA has put itself in a strong position regarding e.g. renewable capabilities in the power and energy segment.
"For us, the acquisition of VEIKI-VNL is a major step in our strategy of expanding our expertise in the industrial energy sector assuring safety and compliance to standards for e.g. electrical equipment manufacturers, utility companies, and grid operators," says Bert Zoetbrood, Head of DEKRA Product Testing and Certification. "We offer our international customers, testing services that range from established energy generation to a wide range of newer, innovative applications. There is a growing demand for these services due to technological developments, such as renewable and distributed power generation, smart and micro grids, energy storage, and EV charging. The energy markets worldwide are in transition."
