Organized by the business association ACICAE for the sixteenth time, the award recognizes persons or companies that have made a special contribution to the competitiveness of the automotive industry. At a ceremony held at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, this year it was the turn of Rheinmetall subsidiary Pierburg S.A.
The award acknowledges Pierburg’s contributions to innovation in the automotive industry, including a wide spectrum of solutions covering internal combustion engines, hybrid motors and electric mobility solutions as well as applications beyond the drivetrain. Creating added value for projects around the world, Rheinmetall’s strong commitment to the Basque region, exemplified in its cooperation with local Tier 2 suppliers, was also emphasized.
Rene Gansauge, CEO Rheinmetall’s Sensors & Actuators division, was on hand to accept the prize, which took the form of a makila. A symbol of strength and authority, the presentation of this traditional Basque walking stick at the awards ceremony was a token of great respect. Present at the ceremony were over 200 representatives and actors from the automotive sector. In the words of Rene Gansauge, “We’re proud that Rheinmetall’s commitment to continuously providing our customers with only the most innovative technologies and the best possible service has been recognized in this way. This is particularly true given that the industry now faces some of the biggest challenges in its recent history.”
Founded in the Basque Country in 1993, the ACICAE is a non-profit business association dedicated to improving the competitiveness of the automotive sector. It constitutes one of Europe’s first auto industry clusters.
Rheinmetall’s Sensors and Actuators division is synonymous with outstanding expertise in thermal and fluid management in the mobility sector as well as other industries. Its five business units – Actuators, Air Emission Systems, Commercial Diesel Systems, Pump Technology, and Solenoid Valves – develop solutions that address the major challenges now facing the mobility sector, including the competing needs of downsizing, emission reduction, increased efficiency, and enhanced performance. The division’s extensive product portfolio encompasses a variety of AGR systems, electrically powered throttle, regulator and emission flaps, solenoid valves, actuators and valve systems as well as oil, water and vacuum pumps for cars and commercial vehicles, plus light- and heavy-duty off-road and industrial applications.
