Tuesday, 02 December 2008 14:34
Elester-PKP Sp. z o.o.
PRESIDENT: Tomasz Bednarkiewicz
OPERATIONS: Energy Industry
ESTABLISHED: 1992
EMPLOYEES: 140
www.elester-pkp.com.pl
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History review and fundamental factors that maintain success
The company ELESTER-PKP came out of an agreement. Very successful and beneficial one, we should add. It was established and officially has started to operate in December 1992, as a result of a deal between General Management of PKP (Polish State Railways SA) and The Electric Equipment Plants ELESTER SA in Łódź. At the moment company’s shares, in the comparative degree, belong to the two joint-stock companies – GE Power Controls and PKP Energetyka. Today, without no doubt, ELESTER-PKP is a leader in its branch, but as usually, the beginnings on a market 17 years back, have not been easy. On account of many transformations and reforms, concerning at that time Polish railways, the company has been more or less pushed into the search of new solutions and modern markets. Owing to the intensive work and great engagement, it was able to build several devices, which were, as for those times, very modern and technologically advanced. Those entering steps regarded also a construction of the first automatic system for traction substations. It was an event extremely important for the whole company, because by this achievement ELESTER-PKP has proven its product’s predominance over the competitors. After massive development of the technological potential and creativity, nowadays the company is a proud constructor of the completely up-dated equipment and whole systems designed for the railway transport. This complete success is not a coincidence though, but a consequence of meticulously planned strategy involving such factors as: innovative approach towards new products and operational reliability. Innovations base on a well designed and developed constructive department, which is occupied with every newly born idea and solution. Sometimes even, ELESTER-PKP projects and solutions set original international trends themselves. On the other hand the operational equipment sureness is an obligation that has to be taken under the consideration when we proceed in the energetic branch. There is no place for errors, mistakes and half measures, especially at coordination or security systems. That is why company’s management has decided to implemented special control procedures of realizations completed. The reliability factor has also a financial advantage. Owing to the long lasting equipment vitality, the company is able to give a longer guarantee, which simultaneously helps it in creating a better image over the professional rivals.
Human factor in the unusual market circumstances
ELESTAR-PKP’s impressive actions have proven company’s strength and devotion during the years. Nevertheless, each operation taken up has needed a lot of back-up which, directly combined with company’s strategy in general, has given great results. This is the reason, why ELESTER-PKP management rests its hope in the human capital. Till this day it has never failed. Company’s representatives even claim that the work stuff is the most important element holding the organization on a market top. The human factor enables the realization of many complicated, sometimes even pioneering tasks. All employees are being recruited on a highest specialization and substantial amount of experience basis. Additionally, the company puts a lot of pressure on the constant skill development of every employee, because it is believed that the employees constitute a greatest value. Currently there are almost 150 persons working for ELESTER-PKP, 90% of which possess engineer or master titles and have all entitlements required. They are also experienced in the professional environment. The company needs loyal, trustworthy and skilled workers, especially in relation to the features of market, on which it operates. The market itself is quite unusual, because each task and project is being adapted to the individual customer’s requirements. Only close relation and collaboration with the client, especially during the beginnings of the investment, enables advising and help during the key moments of whole realization. Such friendly and open attitude builds close customer-company relations. It influences the mutual trust and respect. Systems formula seems to be also very customers approachable because, as oppose to the most of the competition, ELESTER-PKP solutions are open and match with the elements from other producers. After investing in certain system, the customer gets also a full manual, which permits a free system configuration and any extra expansion later on.
ELESTER’s products prepared for the bright future
Before we explain why exactly the company is so positively future oriented, let us have a closer look at the ELESTER-PKP offer, which rests on so called “three main pillars”. The first one is composed by the complete systems: remote control systems, automatics systems for traction substations, railways turnouts heating, non-traction power control systems, cable and wireless disconnectors control systems and more. Second belongs rather to the services area. It concerns construction and modernization of traction electroenergetics establishments. The company has carried out many impressive and innovative works, such as the construction of the first in Poland substation with one-step transformation 110kV/3kV (Huta Zawadzka on the Central Railway Main Line). Finally, the third pillar, which completes company’s activities, is represented by the specialist software, including the professional passportization systems – computer versions of electroenergetic devices in a railway network. We were wondering what in such wide assortment of products and services is valuable the most for the producers themselves. The answer turned out to be surprisingly obvious. The value is measured by the inside of the system, by its “heart”, which happens to be in most cases a microprocessor driver CZAT 3000plus. It is a modern solution designed especially for the energetic devices. Special construction and careful execution guarantee its resistance against exterior factors. Thus, it guarantees safe and trouble-free work of the whole system. However, the most important quality of CZAT 3000plus lays in its software openness that allows unconstrained configuration. In other words, after the transformation it is ready to be used in different systems. What is crucial and need to be underlined when we talk about ELESTER-PKP products in general, it is their innovative characteristic. The company is not afraid of hard work and new challenges. Those are not just some shallow slogans, those are facts. ELESTER-PKP is a creator of only Polish devices powered by the measured voltage (for example: Electronic ground fault protection type EZZ). The substation with one-step transformation 110kV/3kV, mentioned before, is indeed a first such object in country. Innovation, reliability, safety are strictly subscribed into the company’s philosophy. Are there any doubts or fears concerning the future in business? Not a single one. The company constantly improves its offer, modernizes advanced solutions and elaborated new ideas. ELESTER-PKP does not want to follow anyone. The company is doing its best to set new trends and directions on its own. As for today we can say without hesitation that ELESTER-PKP is a real visionary on Polish market.
We really do not want to boast of but…
ELESTER-PKP is an enterprise with traditions, experiences, with vision and great perspectives. Still, instead of being proud and promotionally oriented, company’s representative seams very modest and subtle. Fortunately we’ve mentioned to acquire several information regarding achievements, successes and evolution process. The railroad branch of transport is rather specific for each country. The reason resides in such features as various voltage, different systems, or even variety of law requirements. Happily, owing to the well organized and composed construction department the company is able to adapt its products to the individual needs. In consequence, each year the number of exported systems increases and ELESTER-PKP builds systematically its own good name abroad. Another great way to promote a brand is co-organizations of various events or taking part in different non-business connected activities. ELESTER-PKP sees its group of receivers among the university circles. The pressure is being put on the brand awareness among the technique school students who, as we can presume, will constitute either a group of employees or clients, in the future. Recently, we could have observed company’s devotion on this field of activity, during the celebration of 50th anniversary of students radio station ŻAK, which operates beside the Technical University of Łódź. On the professional field though, ELESTER-PKP scored yet so many goals, metaphorically speaking, that it is rather a matter of brand increasing repute than awareness. Both, the company and its solutions are appreciated and warmly introduced into the professional and customer environments. Among the pretty impressive number of awards and titles, we should emphasize the latest ones – Golden Medal at the International Power Industry Exhibition EXPOPOWER 2008, President of Associations of the Polish Electrical Engineers (SEP) Medal and recommendations from SEP. “We really don’t want to boast of, but frankly it feels very pleasantly when we can tell you how positively and warmly the company is being treated by its receivers, both professionals and customers”, concludes ELESTER-PKP representative.
