In scenic Switzerland, Trasfor is putting years of experience and cutting edge innovations to use across a range of industries. Energy Digital finds out how it works
Written by Chris Farnell & Produced by Thomas Baverstock
South of the Alps, not far from the shores of Lake Lugano, Switzerland is a scenic location, and not one you would immediately associate with an industry leader. But this is the place that Trasfor S.A. calls home, and from here it has built up a worldwide reputation across a range of industries.
“We design and manufacture dry type transformers and inductors for a whole range of industries,” explains Marco Fregonese, Trasfor’s Marketing Manager.
Trasfor is an independent company, and its spirit is rooted deep into the heart and traditions of Switzerland, a country well known for craftsmanship and good business sense. These are values held dear to all the company’s 270 employees, its owners and all parties associated with it.
“Our products are used across a wide range of industries,” adds Fregonese, who says that the quality of its products has led to customers in some of the world’s more demanding industries becoming “regular users” of Trasfor products.
TRAINS, BOATS, WINDMILLS AND MORE
Indeed, there are few industries where you can’t find a Trasfor product. In the supply chain industry, for instance, Trasfor transformers and inductors are aboard many wagons and locomotives. It also provides many of the magnetic components, which it integrates in a single mechanical mainframe of Trasfor’s own design, to meet customers’ mechanical and electrical needs.
“In these environments it is important for products to be compact, light-weight and protected from harsh conditions, as reliability is key,” says Fregonese. Trasfor’s strengths are obvious here. Its range of customised solutions, its reliability and IRIS Certification have led to a supply contract with some of Europe’s largest train manufacturers.
That isn’t all though. If you move away from the railway tracks and out onto the open sea, you still won’t be far from Trasfor. Its products can be found on more than 50 cruise vessels, where its IP44-IP56 transformers with AFWF cooling systems guarantee reliability, a low noise level and a substantially longer life than most of its competitors. Beyond that, they can be found on more than 120 container vessels, 20 Liquid Natural Gas carriers, 60 dredgers, and 50 military vessels. Trasfor is also extremely active in the energy sector. In the oil sector, the company has experience with drilling, thrusters and distribution transformers, and its products can be found on over 20 oil platforms, and over 40 drilling rigs and vessels.
In recent times however, the company has seen the way the wind is blowing, and over the last few years has begun developing products for the renewable energy markets. 40 years of experience designing transformers and reactors has led the company to study specific solutions for the requirements of this industry.
“The company has solutions for both low voltage applications and medium voltage applications,” says Fregonese. This is combined with dedicated software designed to control core and coil additional losses in order to instil absolute reliability in its product.
“The company’s low voltage transformers and inductors can be found in many of the inverter cubicles that wind towers or solar panels use to convert their captured energy into electricity,” says Fregonese. Its dedicated medium voltage cast resin solutions can be found in many wind towers.
MADE TO FIT
The key to Trasfor’s success is its core values of reliability, innovation and experience. Its products aren’t picked from a catalogue, but are instead bespoke solutions, fitted individually to a client’s needs. “We customise our products, giving strong added value to our customers. We can design and produce for a single machine and we have no series production, no catalogue. We just have a company of engineers dedicated to providing new solutions. We can perform the necessary calculations and propose solutions to difficult problems, and we can also manufacture single, special pieces,” Fregonese explains.
Trasfor’s services go beyond simply designing and manufacturing the product though. And, to consolidate its position, Trasfor now provides a complete technical consultancy. This can range from project specific engineering studies all the way to routine inspection and maintenance checks.
Trasfor Consulting offers world-class service for any type of transformer, following it through from the commission stage, right through scheduled or unscheduled maintenance and immediate intervention. 24/7, the firm’s crack team of qualified and certified experts is ready to fly anywhere in the world to face any level of emergency situation in an effort to prevent unnecessary downtime.
If more in-depth technical analysis is needed, the company will draw on its pool of specialist, electrical mechanical and structural engineers, who are able to assist with specific product developments and provide solutions to even the most complex technical requests using the latest methods and technology, including technical equipment for thermographic studies, vibration and shock monitoring.
As if that wasn’t enough, Trasfor is now looking to further expand its business, building the profile of the company and investing in a new factory. By serving such a wide variety of industries, the company protects itself from many of the fluctuations in the market.
“Trasfor is a company that is dedicated to finding solutions,” says Fregonese. We’re sure it’s ready for anything.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
COMPANY NAME: Trasfor S.A.
MARKETING MANAGER: Marco Fregonese
OPERATIONS: The design and manufacture of custom built dry type transformers and inductors
ESTABLISHED: 1952
EMPLOYEES: 270
www.trasfor.com