Lenze celebrates 50 years of automation innovation in the UK

Lenze, a global specialist in motion centric automation, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the launch of its business operations in Britain.

Founded as Simplatroll in 1969 and based in Bedford, the business quickly established itself as a leading drives and power transmission specialist. At this time, inverters were a new technology and designers that required variable speed mostly used DC drives or mechanical variators. Demonstrating a flair for innovation even in its infancy, the business offered leading solutions to its growing customer base, along with a portfolio of supporting products such as clutches, brakes and couplings.

Over the five decades that followed, the UK operation adopted the Lenze brand from its parent company and flourished. An emphasis on recruiting and developing talented young engineers contributed to this growth and established Lenze as a pioneer of automation and control technology. Today Lenze helps customers solve complex operational issues, enhancing their performance with an extensive solutions-based offering. It is one of only a few providers that work with customers through the entire development process of a machine, from initial ideas to after sales, from the control system through to the drive shaft.

“We are proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversary in the UK and all we have achieved,” said Eric van den Broek, business lead for Lenze Region West. “Technology has developed rapidly in the time since our inception and our business has evolved as a result. Today we are focussed on pioneering advanced motion control solutions for customers, making it easy for them to reap the rewards from Industry 4.0 initiatives while providing the same flexible and reliable service we are known for. We’ll be celebrating this exciting milestone with several special events and activities throughout the year.”

Maintaining its UK base in Bedford, Lenze now boasts sales of approximately £20 million in the UK, employing 45 people, over half of whom are skilled engineers.

Lenze www.lenze.com/en-gb