YOKOHAMA, JAPAN – Zuken will open a technology competence center for transportation in Erlangen, Germany, extending its efforts to develop electronic architecture and wiring harness software for the transportation end-market.

The electronics design software company has named ECAD veteran Reinhold Blank to head the new center, which is located within the fertile technology environment of the IGZ Innovation and Incubation Center.

Blank will be responsible for spearheading the development of dedicated solutions for automotive, special vehicles and the wider transportation market. 

Zuken Europe general manager Gerhard Lipski said, “Zuken has a long pedigree within the transportation sector and our electrical and electronic tools are used to design today’s market-leading traditionally-fuelled automobiles, as well as for electric, hybrid, racing and commercial vehicles. We work with many leading global OEMs, as well as their tier 1 and engineering providers. Reinhold Blank has the expertise to further grow our position in the marketplace in collaboration with our global colleagues.”

Chief operating officer Jinya Katsube added, “Zuken is well on the way to becoming a truly global solution provider. By establishing an international transportation competence center we have met a major milestone in reaching this goal. I am confident that the center will bring substantial benefits to our customers around the world.”

Blank has more than 25 years' experience in ECAD, with recent positions at Leoni and Intedis. His technical expertise  lies in developing electronic architecture and wiring harness tool solutions. He brings global market experience, most recently as general manager for Intedis in Shanghai.

Blank sees Zuken’s solutions portfolio and his team’s expertise as a perfect fit to address the automotive industry’s needs in the quickly growing area of vehicle electronics. “Zuken has an excellent reputation for its professional tools and solutions in the electronic and electrical  system design area. By combining the technologies and skills of the Zuken operations in Asia, U.S. and in Europe we will be able to offer a unique solution portfolio to our global customers. I am proud that my team and I can contribute to this strategic operation.”