Global Power Solutions Leader Saft Power Systems Innovates for Industry and Telecom
Saft Power Systems keeps business running
Saft Power Systems (SPS) is a leading global provider of premium power supplies, systems and solutions to some of the world’s most demanding markets and industries.
With a presence in 18 countries the company offers a unique product portfolio including AC and DC modular systems for telecoms, customised and standard AC-DC and DC-DC converters, standard UPS, customised UPS for industrial applications, industrial chargers and DC systems, power controllers for high-tech industrial applications and solutions for transportation systems. SPS also provides products to the new energy markets of solar-generated and wind-generated power.
Established in 1947, the ensuing years saw Saft make several acquisitions and it underwent a significant merger with Alcatel Converters in 1999. In 2005 Saft Power Systems was acquired by Ripplewood and today it is an independent company.
Through its three brands – Saft Power Systems, Harmer+Simmons and AEG Power Supply Systems – SPS is a world leader in the provision of dependable power systems for telecommunications, information technology and industrial markets.
One of the secrets of SPS’ renowned product reliability is its dedication to continuous product innovation. Investing up to eight per cent of its turnover in R&D and application engineering, Saft Power Systems guarantees innovation and continuous product improvement using the latest in power conversion technology, system integration and monitoring methods. With a strong focus on protecting its intellectual property, SPS has a very impressive patents portfolio in Power Conversion, with more 70 active patents.
This dedicated approach to innovation includes strong teams for each product line and competence centres that are responsible for product strategy, R&D and business development for each product line. Global co-ordination ensures system compatibility and the teams are supported by state-of-the-art solutions integrating the latest technologies.
Alongside this dedication to innovation, the products are designed and manufactured to the most stringent international quality standards, both national and international. SPS has invested in its own test laboratories including equipment such as a semi-anechoic Faraday cage, fully equipped for EMC and electrical testing.
To achieve the highest standards of quality, SPS established its ‘world class’ programme, a continuous quality improvement plan, which uses methods such as PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act). Each unit within the group works to the tenets of ISO 9000, and SPS’ in-house quality assurance specialists, who are trained to implement the highest standards and procedures, assist them in areas such as selection of proven components, regular quality audits of suppliers and sub-contractors, quality control on bought-in components and follow up of customer satisfaction indicators.
As a major player in the power industry worldwide, SPS also has long experience of international quality standards such as CE, UL, ETSI and IEC, as well as being certified by sectors such as rail, the nuclear industry and utility companies.
Saft Power Systems’ network of factories, plants and offices enables the company to offer complete turnkey and project management of power installations at any location worldwide. Located at each Saft Power Systems’ unit are skilled application engineering teams, who provide technical expertise and support for customised solutions. This translates to SPS being able to manage all technical and practical aspects of projects and installations, whether it is a new site or installation, an upgrade or a refurbishment.
Understanding that customers need a reliable partner, Saft Power Systems can also manage and supervise a project at every stage, from requirement analysis and technical audit to final site acceptance and delivery.
In addition to these services, SPS can also arrange the organisation of comprehensive service and maintenance contracts which are designed to provide year round peace of mind for clients. At every stage of a project, the customer can be supported by SPS power experts for the lifetime operation of the equipment. The flexible range of support options include a help desk for technical trouble shooting, on site repairs and equipment disposal, replacement and recycling. SPS can also provide the service contract most appropriate for an operation, such as preventive maintenance (one visit per year), full maintenance (including spares and repairs) or express call-out and repairs.
2006 was an exciting year for SPS. In September, AEG Power Supply Systems – a company of Saft Power Systems – won the Uninterruptible Power Supplies – 2006 Product Line Leadership of the Year Award at the Frost & Sullivan Industrial Excellence Awards Banquet. Two months later, SPS was demonstrating its latest advances with the launch of two new products at the Electronica exhibition in Munich. The SM2000 rectifier and MP60-Series system sub-racks were the latest additions to its range of temperature-hardened, embedded power solutions. Kirit Wadhia, vice president of Telecom Power Solutions at Saft Power Systems explained the benefits: “The MP60- Series systems, with the SM2000 rectifier, offer telecommunication companies a total embedded solution in a compact, easy to deploy package.”
It is this kind of problem-solving approach, dedication to innovation and a full commitment to engineering excellence that has propelled SPS to the front of its field. This mind-set will also enable the company to maintain its position as a world leader in the provision of power for industrial and telecom applications into the future.
Saft Power Systems
Products: Power supplies, systems and solutions
Sites: 18 worldwide
Employees: 1600 worldwide