More capacity for the highly efficient IE5+ synchronous motor
NORD-factory-Wiechlice.jpg: The NORD factory in Wiechlice was only opened in 2019. Now it will be expanded due to required production capacities. Image: NORD DRIVESYSTEMS
NORD will almost triple the size of one of its two Polish production locations: the factory in Wiechlice, Western Poland. Among others, the innovative IE5+ motor is produced there. Apart from the extension of the existing factory hall, a new geothermal system will be installed.
After Nowa Sól, Wiechlice in Western Poland is NORD DRIVESYSTEMS’ second production site in Poland. Only established in 2019, the required production capacities already require more space. This is why the factory will be expanded. An extension will be added to the existing factory hall from two sides. This will almost triple the current area from 11,000 m2 to 32,000 m2. “The demand for the IE5+ motor and other electric motors is further increasing, and made this extension necessary”, explains Jörg Niermann, Head of Marketing at NORD.
Construction works started in April 2023; the opening is expected in the second quarter of 2024. Currently, 10,000 motors are produced at the site per week. After the expansion, the production is planned to be tripled. The workforce of currently 220 employees will also significantly increase.
This is where the IE5+ synchronous motor is manufactured
Within NORD’s international production association, the factory in Wiechlice is of special importance. The IE5+ synchronous motor is manufactured here. It is characterised by its very high energy efficiency that even exceeds the highest defined IE5 efficiency class. Further motors in sizes between 63 and 160 are also produced at the site that is located 100 kilometres from the German border. Aside from this, they have the stator manufacturing there, whose heart – the winding – runs completely automatically in two production lines.
The employees in Wiechlice are highly qualified; the production facilities meet the latest requirements. “With the automatic winding, we are in a leading role”, Niermann emphasises, “This is no industry-wide standard yet.”
NORD-factory-hall-extended.jpg: The existing factory hall will be extended on two sites. Deep boreholes in the earth will allow for the extraction of geothermal energy to be used for CO2-free heating. Image: NORD DRIVESYSTEMS
CO2-free heating with geothermal energy
Another innovative project will be advanced during the construction work: the installation of a geothermal system. A total of 52 boreholes – each up to 250 metres deep – will allow for the extraction of heat from the earth that can then be used for CO2-free heating of the factory halls. “From a geological point of view, the premises in Wiechlice are extremely suitable for the use of geothermal energy”, says Jörg Niermann. “Being a value-oriented family business, we take sustainability for an important part of our corporate responsibility, and here we see a good possibility to further reduce our corporate carbon footprint.”