Schüco photovoltaic business goes to Viessmann

N/AMay 30, 2014

Schüco International KG will relinquish its photovoltaic system business in the New Energies division on 1 June 2014. Subject to approval from the German anti-trust authorities, Viessmann Photovoltaik GmbH in Allendorf will take on existing customers and complement its core business with the Schüco product range. In future, Schüco will focus on its core expertise in windows, doors and façades. This will continue to include building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), which forms part of the Metal division.

For more than 10 years, Schüco has been developing and selling energy-generating system technology for small and medium-sized firms, as well as for family homes and apartment buildings. However, it has become evident that synergies with the core business of Schüco are insufficient to be successful alone in the long term in a market which has become more challenging. For a number of years, for example, subsidy cuts in Europe and therefore increased competition between suppliers have made it very difficult for the solar industry. Andreas Engelhardt, Chairman of the Schüco Executive Management Board, is therefore pleased that, in Viessmann, a renowned family firm has been found that will continue to run the solar business in the spirit of Schüco.

In future, Schüco will focus its entire power of innovation on its core business: the development and sale of pioneering system technology for energy-efficient buildings. For in the years to come, unprecedented conditions for energy efficiency and sustainability - but also for design, safety and security - will play a role. From now on, Schüco will concentrate all its development processes on these complex requirements.

Socially acceptable solutions are being sought for 70 employees of the New Energies division in Germany. In the words of Andreas Engelhardt: "As a family business, Schüco places particular value on acting responsibly with a long-term view. However, to secure the future of the company in the long-term, as well as social responsibility, economic circumstances dictate how we must proceed. We deeply regret that we cannot continue to run the division successfully."