Tungsram – an iconic name – returned to the global market in 2018 as an innovative, premium European brand with the acquisition of GE Lighting’s Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Turkey general lighting business along with the global automotive operation.
Tungsram, originally established in 1896, is a brainchild of the 2nd industrial revolution – resulting in the electrification of the world. Tungsram was founded in the year of Hungary’s Millenium celebration: Budapest was then the second most dynamically growing city after Chicago. “From its earliest beginnings through GE’s acquisition of the brand in 1989 and to the present day, Tungsram has systematically built new solutions, primarily around its Lighting core and opportunities for electrification – telephone technology, medical and radio tubes, and other applications, often leading to exponential sales growth,” says the company’s CEO, Joerg Bauer. That’s why we’re not exaggerating when we say that innovation is in the company’s bloodstream. Joerg Bauer has a strong focus on the company’s future and builds on the solid foundations of the company’s rich history, to which not only he but all employees feel connected.
Tungsram wants to tackle some of the pressing challenges of our time
The company wants to help tackle some of the pressing challenges of our time: smart and innovative technology, livable habitat with lower energy consumption and cost, safe, sanitized environments – or in short “human wellbeing”. Tungsram also decided to build systematically on both their innovative heritage and technology and materials know-how, leveraging their state-of-the-art teams and infrastructure in the heart of Europe. Consequently, the company is moving from analog products to data-driven solutions, aiming to offer turn-key solutions, often including alternative funding models for our customers. Tungsram Group invests in future-safe technologies and dynamically growing global markets, such as component manufacturing, aviation, smart solutions, smart cities, and food autonomy, while still strengthening the Lighting core of its business.
Back to the future
Tungsram Aero Space Power Kft. is a new company set up within the Tungsram Group headquartered in Budapest and with a site at Kisvárda, a workforce of 125 persons, and equity of HUF 2 billion. The company dealing with the repair and maintenance of aircraft engines is ready to break into a market with a global turnover of USD 100 billion. Tungsram Aerospace Power offers first-class quality solutions and engine repair services to the largest turbine manufacturers and MRO service providers. This new company is a rapidly growing division of Tungsram Group, specializing in MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) services provided to the aviation and energy sector.
Tungsram offers first‑class quality solutions and engine repair services to the largest turbine manufacturers
Tungsram Aero Space Power was set up as an independent business within the Tungsram group to give it greater freedom to define its strategy and manage the financing. “I have made the conscious decision to keep these activities completely separate from one another and do not measure the success of one based on the performance of another. That’s because I want each of these new segments to develop as quickly as they can, without being affected by our core lighting segment, which will always continue to exist in a steady-state,” Joerg says. The business already counts GE Aviation, GE Power, and GE Renewable among its partners. It also has the only plant in the region that has EASA and FAA certification from both the European and U.S. aviation authorities, respectively. Tungsram Aero Space Power is working to acquire CAAC certification from the Chinese aviation authority.
The flexibility and agility to go after opportunities
Tungsram’s Components and Services business unit was established in April 2018 with the stated objective of placing the industrial capabilities and technologies related to traditional lamp manufacturing in the service of other large corporations while also searching for new industrial opportunities and market segments to enter. The business unit is mainly focusing on the production of components used in lamp manufacturing, such as wire manufacturing, metalworking, plastic injection molding, machining, welding, and electronic assembly.
Tungsram targets the green economy, health care, and contract manufacturing
The component and services business unit are responsible for identifying win-win business opportunities that can be achieved with Tungsram’s current capabilities or can be implemented with focused capability development. “Reacting to market information and global megatrends, the company has identified three main target areas for the most efficient use of our manufacturing area: the green economy, health care, and contract manufacturing,” Joerg lists the opportunities he sees in the market.
Tungsram guarantees a strong engineering background, best‑in‑class service, and a spirit of continuous improvement
With excellent infrastructure, maintenance and development support, and EHS and quality compliance the industrial infrastructure and related services of their Nagykanizsa site offer the capabilities of a complex industrial park with available halls measuring thousands of square meters and tens of thousands of buildable green areas. Tungsram wants to put its unparalleled engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities at the service of healthcare as well. “The years that have passed since have proved us right, and we are proud of our successful projects completed so far,” says Joerg Bauer. Tungsram’s portfolio includes a large number of diverse and exciting assignments ranging from the manufacturing of parts for surgical robots to the assembly of CT machines.
Based on multiple years of experience in lighting, automotive, and other industries Tungsram offers contract manufacturing services from the conceptual designing phase thru supply chain management till the implementation. “We guarantee a strong engineering background, best-in-class service, and a spirit of continuous improvement,” continues Joerg.
Company in a box
“Starting a business involves meticulous planning, making key financial decisions, and completing a series of legal activities,” Joerg says. Tungsram is there to help partners plan, prepare and manage their business. Being an integrator of operations and manufacturing with headquarters in the heart of Europe, they offer a wide range of services and facilities to all types of businesses from start-ups to enterprises seeking to expand their activities or market presence. The scale of Tungsram’s contribution and support is all-encompassing, ranging from laboratory equipment or services to academic partnerships, financial, IT, HR, legal advisory, to involvement in R&D projects or access to a global distribution network covering more than 100 countries. For those seeking a less complex service package, Tungsram offers a training center and co-working space.
Tungsram companies and capabilities
Tungsram is reinvigorating a 125-year-old tradition of playing a leading role in manufacturing technology and service solutions. The company is present in one hundred global markets and exports 95% of its production. Its highly-productive supply chain is centered around its 5 factories in Hungary working to the highest quality standards with its 3200 employees and a network of 1600 suppliers and partners around the globe.
