Phoenix Contact sounds international, but stands for traditional German electrical engineering – this is how CEO Frank Stührenberg presents his company in “So techt Deutschland”. Nevertheless, the e-supplier relies heavily on China. Because that is where the future of electric mobility is being created.
As an entrepreneur, Frank Stührenberg has only known Chancellor Angela Merkel as the German head of government. The appearance of Federal Chancellor Scholz at the industrial fair in Hanover in a few days is therefore a novelty for the head of Phoenix Contact. Even if the company name appears internationally, the company is a “hidden champion” from Ostwestfalen-Lippe. Deeply rooted in the “traditional branch of German electrical engineering”, explains Stührenberg in “So techt Deutschland”.
Despite its regional roots, Phoenix Contact has a strong presence in China. The country will always be very important for the company, says the manager, referring to electromobility. Stührenberg calculates that 20 times as many charging stations are being set up in China as in Europe. These are huge economies of scale for Chinese companies.
“There is no longer a lack of knowledge,” says Stührenberg. The whole world has understood that the “maximum provision of renewable electrical energy is correct.” Phoenix Contact wants to supply all the necessary products to make electromobility possible. The current problems in building the charging infrastructure are a short-term effect of the disrupted supply chains, says the CEO. “From my point of view, everything is solvable.”
