One regulation, one idea, one success: The team in Kufstein shows that personal initiative does more than reduce risks – it also created company-wide synergies.
What do you do when an electrical distribution panel overheats? There used to be an obvious answer: hire external specialists – an expensive, time-consuming and hardly flexible solution. Today, the HSE Service Center in Kufstein provides an alternative that reduces costs while also strengthening collaboration across sites.
Each year, a thermographic inspection of all electrical distributors is mandatory for early detection of any fire hazards and to increase operational safety. This requirement has led to a success story – thanks to commitment and personal initiative.
Patrick Franke, HSE Professional at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) in Kufstein, completed an intensive six-day training program to become a level 1 thermographer in line with DIN EN ISO 9712. The curriculum ranged from radiation theory to equipment technology, image analysis, and error prevention. After he passed the theoretical and practical tests, he was able to conduct measurements internally. This was efficient, hands-on, and far more cost-effective than relying on external assessors.
But he took a step further: Since there was no suitable reporting template, Franke simply developed a standard of his own, one that meets the guidelines and is easy to integrate into everyday workflows. The measurements to date clearly show the benefits: Overheated components and poor terminal connections are identified before they become a problem. This can avert potential fire incidents and equipment failures, directly contributing to safety and availability.
By now, the technology is also used for other applications: checking heat radiation areas around furnaces and heat sources, detecting thermal bridges at windows and doors, and monitoring the uniform heating of pressing tools.
From site project to group-wide service
The idea of offering thermography as an internal service quickly gained traction. And Franke became a sought-after expert whose service was already used successfully at multiple European sites – for FST as well as the Freudenberg business group Klüber Lubrication. Judging by the response, the need is there and the solution is convincing.
“I like to sum up my experience from these applications in three words: networking, trust, improvement,” says Franke. For him, visiting other sites is about more than technical support: “It promotes dialogue, strengthens cooperation across the group, and provides new impulses for our HSE strategy. The direct exchanges generate new ideas, solutions and a shared understanding of safety and efficiency.”
Genuine added value for everyone
Ralph Schmidt, Senior Vice President Global Quality Management, HSE & Sustainability, shares this view. “The HSE Service Center is a prime example of how a mandatory task can evolve into real added value. The key lies in sharing resources and expertise – across sites, practice-oriented, and with genuine benefits for everyone involved. We want to expand this approach and establish similar services across all of FST in additional areas, such as measurement technology, FSS5 checks, training, audits, and much more. Our goal is to make existing expertise and capacities visible and systematically interconnected. This is how we create a learning organization in which operational excellence, quality, HSE and sustainability are not just buzzwords but common practice.”
Participation Encouraged
Every site can benefit from the knowledge and skills of others, and everyone is invited to contribute. The HSE Service Center in Kufstein offers support not only for thermography but also in general HSE areas, such as waste management, hazardous materials, FSS5, and the creation of fire protection and evacuation plans. If you would like to learn more, please contact Bastian Waldschmidt.
What other expertise is available? Who has know-how and available capacity? Who needs support? Who is willing to share knowledge as a Subject Matter Expert?
For knowledge sharing and available capacities, employees can contact the Quality Management or HSE teams of the corporate lead function Operational Excellence.
