TRADITION FOR INNOVATION: HOW GANZ COMBINES 200 YEARS OF HERITAGE WITH MODERN HIGH-VOLTAGE SOLUTIONS

As a company with more than 145 years of heritage, Ganz Electric’s mission is to combine historical traditions and unique expertise with innovation through digitalization for all their solutions, products and services with the aim to support the electrification and the Net Zero Targets.

What does “reliability” mean for your customers today, and how has your company’s definition of reliability evolved in recent years?

For our customers, reliability means uninterrupted operation, predictable performance, and long equipment lifecycles in increasingly complex power systems. As energy demand grows and grid infrastructure ages, the cost of unexpected downtime has become significantly higher.

At Ganz Electric, reliability has evolved from a purely engineering concept into a lifecycle approach. Beyond designing robust equipment, we now integrate monitoring systems, predictive diagnostics, and lifecycle services that allow operators to detect issues early and optimize performance throughout the asset’s lifetime.

Our nearly 150 years of engineering heritage provide a strong foundation, but reliability today also means adaptability. By combining traditional expertise with digital solutions and advanced technologies, we help customers maintain stable and resilient energy systems.

Which specific features of your products or solutions most directly impact reliability for your customers’ operations?

One of the most important contributors to reliability is the fact that our transformers, motors, and generators are engineered as bespoke solutions tailored to each customer’s operational requirements. Unlike mass-produced equipment, our products are designed for specific environments, operating loads, and integration conditions.

It is also important to emphasize that transformers and rotating machines are themselves critical elements of the power system. With its engineering heritage and industrial experience, Ganz Electric offers a long-standing tradition of reliability and technical expertise that continues to guarantee quality for customers worldwide.

What role do data, monitoring, or predictive technologies play in improving reliability and preventing failures for your clients?

Data-driven prioritization, monitoring and predictive technologies play an increasingly important role in ensuring reliability and preventing unexpected failures in modern power systems. At Ganz Electric, digitalization is therefore a key pillar of how we support our partners in maintaining safe and stable operations.

In 2022 we launched our intelligent digitalization platform, Ganz Intelligent Solutions, applicable to both new and older transformers and rotating machines regardless of brand. This system enables the early detection of developing faults, allowing operators to address potential issues in a timely and cost-effective way before they impact network stability or operational continuity. By applying digital monitoring systems, operators can receive continuous, real-time data on insulation and bearing conditions. The system provides customizable alerts, ensuring that maintenance teams are informed when specific thresholds are exceeded. This approach helps extend the reliable operation of electric machines even beyond their expected service life.

In 2024, we further strengthened the platform with the AI-powered Ganz Expert System module. This advanced capability enhances asset health assessment and supports data-based prioritization of maintenance schedules, which is particularly valuable for large-scale renewable energy projects where reliability and availability are essential.

How do you balance innovation and speed-to-market with long-term reliability and operational stability?

Our motto is ‘Tradition for Innovation’. We build on almost one and a half centuries of experience and expertise to provide the best products and services, adapting to new challenges and shaping the market with innovative solutions. New technologies are integrated through controlled development, extensive testing and close customer collaboration, ensuring that innovation strengthens reliability rather than compromising it.

Can you share an example of how your solution helped a customer reduce downtime, improve process stability, or increase operational confidence?

One of the most illustrative examples is the deployment of our digital transformer solution for E.ON’s substation in Budapest and Pécs. The transformers are equipped with an integrated digital monitoring system that continuously tracks key operational parameters through a network of online sensors. These sensors collect real-time data, providing operators with a detailed and continuously updated view of the transformer’s status. With advanced diagnostic tools and AI‑supported solutions, the system greatly improves operational transparency and enables a shift from reactive to proactive asset management. Earlier interventions and more precise maintenance planning help reduce downtime risk, lower costs, and strengthen confidence in the stability of critical power infrastructure.

How do service, maintenance, and after-sales support contribute to overall reliability and customer satisfaction in your business model?

Service and lifecycle support are fundamental pillars of reliability, as proper maintenance significantly extends equipment lifespan, reduces material and energy consumption, and minimizes the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transporting new equipment. As lead times for large power transformers now stretch into years, extending the life of existing equipment has become increasingly urgent. This is why we strengthened our Service Division, which delivers maintenance, inspection, refurbishment, modernization, and expansion services for transformers, motors, generators, and switchgear – including units originally supplied by other manufacturers. Our global service network and tailored solutions allow customers to maximize the value of their equipment while improving reliability and operational efficiency.

Customer satisfaction and reliability are central to our operations. To ensure this, we maintain a continuous presence throughout the entire project lifecycle – from design and manufacturing to installation and after-sales service. In addition, we provide testing and servicing for equipment produced by other manufacturers as well.

What standards, certifications, or internal benchmarks guide your approach to ensuring consistent quality and performance?

Quality assurance plays a central role in our operations. Approximately 10% of our workforce is dedicated to quality management, overseeing ISO compliance, audits, and continuous process improvement. We also maintain strict internal benchmarks aimed at minimizing operational failures and lowering the cost of poor quality.

Comprehensive supplier qualification processes and material testing also contribute to consistent performance. This is why, in 2023, we decided to restart in-house manufacturing of steel structures for our transformers, a key step in ensuring that Ganz products can be manufactured in Europe.

In recognition of our financial stability and operational reliability, Ganz Electric was awarded the Dun & Bradstreet certification for the most financially reliable companies in 2024.

Looking ahead, what do you see as the next big shift in how industrial companies will need to think about reliability to stay competitive?

The next major shift will come from the convergence of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and the rapid transformation of energy systems. However, electricity demand continues to grow while much of the existing grid infrastructure is aging. This creates significant pressure on equipment manufacturers to deliver solutions that are not only reliable but also smarter, more flexible, and easier to maintain.

Meanwhile, strengthening European manufacturing and supply chains is becoming a strategic priority. By relying on European suppliers and maintaining production in Europe, we contribute to the resilience and serviceability of critical energy infrastructure.

Finally, people remain a key factor. Through talent development, educational partnerships, and a strong international business network – supported by global industry exhibitions and collaborations – we ensure that our expertise and solutions continue to reach customers worldwide.