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Research, Development and Innovation
conSoliDateD MANAGEMENT REPORT / PERFORMANCE OF PALFINGER
Research, Development and Innovation
The PALFINGER brand stands for innovation, quality and reliability. In order to maintain or expand its
leadership in the field of technology and service, PALFINGER regularly invests in the enhancement of
existing products and the development of new products. PALFINGER’s target is to make its customers
more successful in their business.
PALFINGER’s research and development centre, which accommodates numerous centres of excellence,
is located at the Austrian business location in Köstendorf. Additional R&D departments have
been established at various international sites. The targeted strategic orientation of the centres of
excellence, as well as the R&D priorities within the PALFINGER Group, guarantee the best possible
use of synergies, the development of modular sub-assemblies and system components, and
proximity to the market.
In addition to further development at the international level, the R&D centre in Köstendorf has been
expanded continuously. Under a multi-stage investment programme, a modern testing facility with
an outdoor testing environment was built in 2011.
Further development of electronics
and mechatronics know-how was a
priority in 2011.
In 2011, PALFINGER placed its strategic innovation focus on further development in the fields of
electronics and mechatronics, which are of material importance for product functionality, efficiency
and reliability. In this connection, the existing centre of excellence for electronics was expanded to
include sensor systems and complex hydraulic control systems. PALFINGER is now able to analyze
and further develop all interfaces of the complete crane system within the framework of its own
R&D structure.
Product development during the production phase (simultaneous engineering), already intensified
in 2010, was expanded to include additional areas. This has helped to reduce complexity and allows
for a quick ramp-up of the production of revised and new products.
In addition, uniform product data and product life cycle management software is being implemented
for all R&D functions. It provides a common basis for the entire manufacturing process and thus
promotes the further standardization of processes and components.
In 2011, PALFINGER invested EUR 18.0 million in research and development, which corresponds to
2.1 per cent of the Company’s total revenue.
Patents and ideas
The PALFINGER Group currently holds 61 active patents, utility models and special registered designs
for the protection of functional design elements. Seven additional patents have been applied for.
Developments in 2011
Truck-mounted knuckle boom cranes
The stability control system which had been added to the product range upon introduction of the
crane standard EN12999:2011 was developed further in 2011. The new High Performance Stability
Control (HPSC) is currently the most innovative system on the market. An intelligent real-time data
algorithm in combination with sensors makes the positioning of stabilizers fully variable and allows
for the widest possible working range and maximum flexibility in crane use.
After the successful market introduction of the SH models in 2010, three additional models in the
large crane segment (over 60 metre tonnes) were added to this product range.
In order to be able to meet the steadily growing demand for large cranes outside Europe, two new
cranes in the 45 and 60 metre tonne range were developed. These cranes can be equipped with
either a manual control system or with the PALFINGER HPLS system.
palfinger Annual Report 2011
77