German TUV SUD helps China's industries to go digital

German global testing, certification and inspection solutions provider TUV SUD has vowed to enhance its commitment to the Chinese market and provide more professional services for China's industrial transformation and upgrade.

The company hosted an event in Shanghai on October 26 to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Since its first branch in China opened in 1991, the company has been providing quality, safety and sustainability solutions to support China's business growth.

"TUV SUD has operated in China for 25 years, and has made many efforts in testing and certification," said Dirk von Wahl, president and CEO of TUV SUD Greater China. "More importantly, we help more Chinese companies improve their awareness of safety and quality. During this process, Chinese companies have learned how to produce products with higher quality and safety."

China is one of TUV SUD's most important markets outside Germany. In addition to continuing to provide objective, professional and quality testing and certification services, von Wahl said the company will introduce more core concepts and details relating to the German Industry 4.0 strategy, and help Chinese companies upgrade and transform their industries under the new normal economic environment.

In 2015, China's State Council released the Made in China 2025, a 10-year-long strategy for the country to boost the development of its manufacturing sector and become a powerful nation. It is often seen as the Chinese version of Germany's Industry 4.0 project.

Von Wahl noted that the adoption of digital technology and tools will support the country's development, as the economy is heading toward high-end manufacturing.

Digital transformation is also among TUV SUD's four strategic themes, with others being sustainable development, consumer protection and urbanization.

Axel Stepken, chairman of the board of management of TUV SUD, said the core of Industry 4.0 is to connect technology with people, the internet and the physical world, and the automatic transmission of information between them. He believes all aspects of our lives can be changed through the intersection of virtual reality and reality.

Stepken said the company believes that the digital transformation will have a profound impact on almost all businesses and social fields. "TUV SUD will help more companies to seize opportunities brought about by the digital transformation," he said.

Meanwhile, the company will work to reduce digital systems' security risks and help companies to build trust and gain a competitive edge during this process.

In March, TUV SUD opened a Digital Service Centre of Excellence in Singapore, following the opening of its Digital Service Centre of Excellence in Munich. With an investment of over S$40 million ($28.4 million) over the next three years, the digital center in Singapore will specialize in providing solutions for new technologies involving predictive data analytics, industrial cyber security and functional safety for evolving smart market segments, such as smart infrastructure and Industry 4.0, according to the company.

The move will help companies realize the potential of today's digital transformation initiatives, while minimizing the risks involved in increased connectivity, the company said.

"The key 30 years of internet industries have arrived. It is bound to subvert the existing industry and produce tremendous economic benefits," said Shen Bin, head of Department for Mechanical Engineering of the Sino-German College for Postgraduate Studies, or CDHK, at Tongji University.

Shen noted that digitalization is an important part of companies' trying to remain relevant.

During the company's 150th anniversary ceremony, the TUV SUD Foundation and CDHK signed an agreement to continue to fund an endowed chair relating to the reliability and safety of technology systems, and to cultivate more young scientists in China and Germany. The signed agreement will extend the existing endowment from 2017 to 2021 and will promote exchange between academia and industry.

wanghongyi@chinadaily.com.cn

Technical assistance around the world

Headquartered in Munich, Germany and founded in 1866, TUV SUD is a global testing, certification and inspection organization.

According to the company's website, it has 24,000 employees at more than 850 locations, and partners with clients all around the world.

TUV SUD aims to work alongside customers to optimize their operations, enable them to access global markets and enhance their competitiveness.

TUV SUD Greater China operates from its headquarters in Shanghai with main offices in Beijing, Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei, as well as nearly 40 satellite offices throughout the region, according to the website. The company acts as a supporting bridge between international trade partners.

About 3, 000 experts and trained staff support customers in positioning new products, services and systems for global adoption.

TUV SUD says it is closely aligned with several international chambers of commerce and trade development organizations in the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

According to the website, TUV SUD is also working closely with several reputable organizations in China's mainland, including the China Inspection and Quarantine, the China Quality Certification Center and the China Certification and Inspection Group.

(China Daily 11/15/2016 page13)