TOBOL – headquartered in Leinefeld-Worbis, Thuringia – specializes in customized ICA technology and building automation. TOBOL offers its customers, who are mainly from the commercial and industrial sectors, everything from a single source: from analysis to project planning, programming and switchgear construction to service and maintenance. TOBOL is also a proven expert in automating data center infrastructure. More than two-thirds of the switchgear is used in data centers – both in numerous new constructions in Germany and other projects in Europe. TOBOL relies on WAGO rail-mount terminal blocks and WAGO controllers because they are low maintenance, reliable and flexible, among other things.
The Entire Technical Infrastructure for Data Centers from a Single Source
A Long-Term and Successful Partnership in Switchgear Construction
Another important factor in the implementation of projects: a reliable partner at your side like WAGO. TOBOL has relied on WAGO rail-mounted terminal blocks for switchgear construction since its founding in 1997. In addition, they have also been using WAGO automation solutions, such as the WAGO I/O System 750 Controller, for ten years – a long-term partnership. The customer and their wishes are always the focus at TOBOL and WAGO: both offer customized solutions for their customers with their flexible range of products.
Apart from their products, the customer service provided by the WAGO Sales Department is also a critical factor for the many years of successful cooperation. “We especially appreciate the strong customer loyalty by the WAGO Sales staff, who are important partners here on site,” emphasizes Olaf Beykirch, Managing Director of TOBOL.
TOBOL Relies on WAGO Rail-Mount Terminal Blocks and WAGO Controllers
“Initially, it was the low maintenance requirements that won us over. With WAGO rail-mounted terminal blocks, there are no screws to tighten, which creates significant time savings throughout the entire process of switchgear construction. This was one of the primary benefits that led us to choose WAGO back in 1997,” reports Chris Heinemann, Managing Director of TOBOL. Another major advantage: The compactness and the resulting space savings. Since high-density wiring in the control cabinet is increasing, it is not something to overlook.
“WAGO rail-mounted terminal blocks allow us to install more I/O points in a control cabinet,” continues Chris Heinemann. For this reason, they rely on WAGO rail-mounted terminal blocks, especially in series switchgear construction for industrial customers – according to Managing Directors Beykirch and Heinemann this is, “an important development” that they definitely want to further expand in the future.
In data centers and building automation, TOBOL uses WAGO automation components such as the WAGO I/O System 750, which is a perfect fit thanks to its modularity and flexibility. With this WAGO Automation System, TOBOL can operate in a modular and flexible manner that's specifically adapted to the respective building solutions. For example, they can retrofit relatively quickly on site if necessary – which is a great added value. Another enormous advantage: In data centers, there are numerous error messages from the electrical supply in a small space – 3000-4000 electrical messages per building – which can be optimally monitored by WAGO controllers.
Using rail-mount terminal blocks and the I/O System 750 from WAGO, TOBOL not only reduces its wiring and maintenance costs, but also prevents work interruptions, downtime and service costs due to the components' extremely high reliability.
The Future of Production Is Digital
TOBOL is currently working hard to make its production digital and paperless: Each workstation is equipped with a computer and a touch screen, giving employees access to all the documents they need for digital production via the cloud. This also applies to testing switchgear: Each switchgear unit is manufactured and tested per applicable standards and guidelines – such as the switchgear standard DIN EN 61439. The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and logging naturally also occur via digital channels. TOBOL also relies on the EPLAN Data Portal for data transfer because of the high data quality, and it makes for quick work when searching for WAGO components – tremendous added value for digital engineering.
Joint Growth and Future Projects
After initially expanding the site by adding a 500 square meter production hall for switchgear in 2007 and a second expansion by another 500 square meter production hall with a storage area in 2011, another expansion is coming. On 2800 square meters of floor space, TOBOL's complete range of services is now united under one roof: analysis, planning and design, programming, switchgear production, as well as service and maintenance. Since the new location also provides enough space for future expansions, TOBOL will be able to meet the demands of its customers well into the future. At the new plant, WAGO rail-mounted terminal blocks with push-buttons will be increasingly used because they meet the requirements for automated wire set production.
Another future project: TOBOL would like to become part of the WAGO Solution Provider Program – a network of supporters and consultants that helps customers implement their projects with WAGO solutions. Chris Heinemann goes even further, “We want to take our many years of successful partnership with WAGO to the outside world and help customers solve their challenges as an official WAGO partner.”
