Launching Material Systems Concept Boosting Power Electronics Industry

Exclusive interview with Mr. Ralph Merget, Director Sales and Marketing Material Systems, Global Business Unit Heraeus Electronics

Heraeus, headquartered in Hanau, Germany, is a leading international family-owned company formed in 1851. With expertise, a focus on innovations, operational excellence and an entrepreneurial leadership, Heraeus strives to continuously improve the business performance and provide valued material solutions to customers. Heraeus’ portfolio ranges from components to coordinated material systems, are used in a wide variety of industries, including the steel, electronics, chemical, automotive and telecommunications industries. In the 2014 financial year, Heraeus generated product revenues of €3.4 billion and precious metal revenues of €12.2 billion euro. Recently, Heraeus exhibited at PCIM Asia in Shanghai. As a leading media provider in China, we had a chance to interview Mr. Ralph Merget, Director Sales and Marketing, Material Systems, Global Business Unit, Heraeus Electronics

 

Mr. Ralf Merget, Dierctor Sales and Marketing, Material Systems, Global Business Unit, Heraeus Electronics

 

Gavin Hsu: Hello Mr. Merget, We are very honored to have this opportunity to talk with you face to face. Would you please give us some brief information about Heraeus and its electronics unit?

 

Ralf Merget: Heraeus is a family-owned company with a history of over 160 years. Divided by products and applications, we have 11 business units. Each unit attaches great importance to the application market of its own products. For example, the electronic unit sector, which I am working for. has a complete unity of target, marketing and sales, operations, quality control, technical support and after-sale service etc and are well coordinated with each other. It is worth to point out that, we have established a new business unit - material systems, which is the material solutions provided for the power electronics industry, and this is also the reason that we are here at PCIM.

 

Gavin Hsu: What is the highlight for you exhibiting at the show?

 

Ralf Merget: As a family-owned business, our concept is to provide the total material solution. Our booth design also follows this concept, where the visitor can fully understand the total material solutions that Heraeus provides. PCIM is the professional power electronics industry exhibition. We also launched our material systems concept for providing total material solutions for the power electronics industry. As for electronics packaging, wire bonding is just part of it, it also includes DBC boards. We use our advantages to help customers find the best material solution.

In our headquarters, we have a power electronics design and research center, where we can test the power modules if they are working properly in a real situation. If any failure appears, we can always find the solutions quickly and avoid unnecessary loss.

 

Gavin Hsu: Based on what situation does Heraeus launch the material system concept?

 

Ralf Merget: We engaged in a global power electronics research and analysis three years ago. Of course, China is a very important part of it. After understanding and learning through this analysis, we decided to use DBC as the backbone material for power modules. The most advanced power electronics technology market is in Europe and Japan. But from the market growth aspect, the potential is China is huge. Especially in the renewable energy market, who’s growth also adds to the increase in the power electronics industry. Heraeus has been very active in China since the 1980s. Heraeus president used to be the Chairman of the German Chamber of Commerce in China and has met with Wen Jiabao many times.

 

Gavin Hsu: What is your outlook about Heraeus’ material system concept in China market? How do you serve the China local customer?

 

Ralf Merget: The market is huge. With the China government policy support, as well as power electronics application market growth (such as solar, wind and renewable vehicles), the power electronics market in China will continue to grow steadily. We can provide integrated solutions to customers by combing both the advantages of material and systems efficiently. For local customer support, we have our own factory in China, as well as a headquarter, and we can offer “zero distance” services to the customers.

 

Ralf Merget worked as a director sales and marketing at Heraeus Electronics, then the VP Global Key Account Management Heraeus Precious Metals. Heraeus is a globally leading technology group, Heraeus is headquartered in Hanau, Germany. Founded in 1851, it is a family-owned portfolio company which traces its roots back to a pharmacy opened by the family in 1660. Today, Heraeus combines businesses in the environmental, energy, electronics, health, mobility and industrial applications sectors.

 

About the Author

Gavin Hsu worked for i2i Group China / Bodo’s Power Systems China, in which the company that delivered in print and online formats. With company strength and global understanding of the power electronics market, Bodos Power Systems publication focused exclusively on the technical needs of power electronics engineers. Also, Bodos Power Systems provides the global engineering community with detailed technology, applications, products, and news.