Meyer Burger enters into preferred partnership agreement with Mondragon Assembly
Meyer Burger Technology Ltd has entered into a preferred partnership agreement (PPA) with Mondragon Assembly Group, a global specialist in the development of automation and assembly solutions and an internationally recognised producer of equipment for the manufacture of solar modules. Both Meyer Burger and Mondragon view this as an important strategic milestone which further strengthens two global technology leaders in the PV module market.
Mondragon Assembly is part of the Mondragon Group, a leading global industrial company, and it specialises in the development of automation and assembly solutions and the manufacturing of equipment in a wide range of industries. Mondragon Assembly produces machinery for PV systems including core equipment for solar module production and it is also a leading integrator and international turnkey contractor for module lines.
With its expertise in integration and contract manufacturing, Mondragon is ideally positioned as outsourcing partner for the production of equipment for Meyer Burger’s SmartWire Connection Technology. The preferred partnership agreement enables Meyer Burger to benefit from Mondragon’s international manufacturing network and established supply chain. For Mondragon, it is an opportunity to produce manufacturing equipment for the most cost effective cell connection technology on the market today both for mono- und multi-crystalline solar cells. According to the agreement, Mondragon will start production of SWCT equipment for Meyer Burger at the latest by end of the fourth quarter 2018. At that time, Meyer Burger will cease its own manufacturing of SWCT equipment at its production site in Thun, but will continue to drive R&D as well as marketing and sales of the SWCT technology going forward. Patents, marketing and all sales activities regarding SWCT will continue to be managed by Meyer Burger.
Luis Mari Imaz, CEO of Mondragon Assembly, commented: “We strongly believe that our partnership with Meyer Burger will be of mutual benefit to both companies. We are excited about the working together with such a recognised solar technology leader.”
Daniel Lippuner, COO of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd, stated: “Collaboration with Mondragon with their strong experience in contract manufacturing and automation ideally complements our in-depth PV module equipment expertise. By outsourcing the production of our SWCT equipment to Mondragon, we are able to benefit from their flexible, cost-competitive manufacturing structure. This will help us to expedite the industrialisation of our innovative SmartWire Connection Technology.”
Caption: Meyer Burger and Mondragon will from now on collaborate in the PV module market (photo: Meyer Burger)