News –

NORD in Aurich, Germany Celebrates 35 years

For more than 40 years, NORD has been developing electronic control products and is one of the pioneers of innovative variable frequency drive technology.

Waunakee, WI, 2023-04-25

Since the early 1980s, NORD DRIVESYSTEMS, one of the world's leading suppliers of gear units, electric motors, and control products, has produced its own electronics at their Aurich facility in northwest Lower Saxony, Germany. Over time, the production plant and product portfolio have been continuously expanded, increasing current staff to 180 with an additional 40 planned, as well as increasing manufacturing capacity to 400,000 units.

<h2>Product Range and Advancements at the Aurich Site</h2>

The Aurich site produces control cabinet variable frequency drives, decentralized VFDs, motor starters, and electronic drive technology up to 215 hp (160 kW). The NORDAC line of electronic control products is continually expanding to include greater performance, functionality, and energy efficiency. Recent advancements include the decentralized NORDAC ON/ON+ VFDs developed for the special requirements of horizontal conveyor technology and the NORDAC PRO SK 500P cabinet control drives, offering 5 frame sizes with a power range of up to 30 hp (22 kW).

<h2>Flexibility and Responsiveness in Meeting Customer Demands</h2>

No matter where they operate around the world, every NORD variable frequency drive is produced in the Aurich production plant. Site manager Gerhard Harms said, “Frequency inverters are a fundamental component of efficient and intelligent drive systems. In Aurich, we can respond quickly and flexibly to customer requirements and market changes and are ideally equipped for the increasing demand.”

<h2>State-of-the-Art Facilities and Production Structure</h2>

Facilities at Aurich are state-of-the-art and feature an automated, flexible production structure. This allows for any size order, even small batch sizes, to be processed with the same high level of quality and efficiency. In 2022, 185,000 units were shipped from the factory and an even greater number is projected for 2023 as demand for electronic control products becomes increasingly stronger.

<h2>Expansion and Investment in the Aurich Facility</h2>

To meet growing demands, NORD has invested $2.7 million dollars ($2.5 million euros) into expanding the Aurich facility throughout 2022. The two-level area for customer project assemblies has been increased to 32,292 ft2 (3,000 m2), the total production area has expanded to 75,347 ft2 (7,000 m2), and the office area has grown to 13,993 ft2 (1,300 m2).

<h2>Future Plans and Acquisitions for Continuous Improvement</h2>

Expansion plans are far from finished as NORD recently acquired an adjacent site with an area of 4.45 acres, providing plenty of space to continue improving their successful Aurich operations.