In today's digital world, nothing works without semiconductors. These tiny components are the backbone of our modern society and characterise our daily lives, from smartphones and electric cars to AI systems. The majority of these key components are manufactured in Taiwan, which accounts for around a quarter of global production. This makes the island in the western Pacific the strategic hotspot of the global technology landscape. Now a German medium-sized company has succeeded in entering this extremely sensitive market: Paul Vahle GmbH & Co. KG has developed an innovative system for contactless energy transmission for Overhead Hoist Transport (OHT) systems. A technology that is proving to be particularly efficient in the high-precision production of semiconductors.

If you want to understand the future of this technology, you have to look to Taiwan. The island state has developed into the control centre of the global semiconductor industry. Above all, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, or TSMC for short, is the world's largest chip manufacturer. Many German companies also source important electronic components and IT components from Taiwan or have them manufactured there.

Strategic market entry

The market entry of Paul Vahle GmbH & Co KG from the tranquil town of Kamen - a town better known for traffic jams and slow-moving traffic at the Kamen junction - into the Taiwanese chip market is no coincidence, but a strategic response to global changes. And hardly any other place in the world is currently as decisive for the industrial future as the island off the Chinese coast. Steffen Fink, Field Application Engineer at VAHLE, puts it in a nutshell: "If you want to be a player in the semiconductor industry, you have to be present in Taiwan or you will be left behind."

A large part of the intralogistics in chip production is based on automated transport systems (OHT systems), which move the sensitive semiconductors between the production steps. "This market used to be firmly in Japanese hands, with its own closed energy supply systems," explains Fink. But the wind has changed: Taiwan's companies are striving for more independence, innovation and new technologies. This is precisely where VAHLE sees its opportunity. With a product that literally makes the connection possible.

Efficiency and safety in production

Because what the system provider for mobile industrial applications has developed in the field of contactless power transmission is unique in the world: the in-house CPS140 technology (Contactless Power Supply) operates at a transmission frequency of 140 kHz. This is more than seven times the frequency used by other market players. This is because established systems are often still based on technology standards from the 1990s and only use 10 to 20 kHz. "The high frequency also enables a significantly lower current," explains Fink. While other providers work with up to 85 amps, VAHLE only needs 45 amps. "In direct comparison, our technology is therefore more efficient, four times less lossy and significantly more powerful than many existing solutions."

Another advantage: CPS140 generates a particularly small magnetic field with an extremely high energy density. This is a decisive advantage in sensitive production environments with high safety requirements. The so-called metal-free zone is also reduced to a minimum. "This means minimal power losses, minimal heating in areas close to metal and therefore greater safety and efficiency in operation," says Fink. In semiconductor production in particular, every degree counts: production takes place in strictly air-conditioned clean rooms at a constant 25 degrees Celsius and defined humidity. Any unnecessary heating due to power loss must be compensated for in a costly and energy-intensive manner. The VAHLE system therefore not only lowers energy consumption, but also reduces cooling requirements and thus operating costs.

Compact design and maintenance-free

The contactless energy transfer system also offers decisive advantages in terms of size and integration: Thanks to the high transmission frequency, the so-called pickups, i.e. the energy collectors, can be built particularly compactly. "Our pickups are among the smallest inductive solutions on the market and impress with their outstanding integration capability," emphasises Fink. Their small size facilitates integration into complex conveyor systems, especially where tight curve radii or limited installation space play a role, for example in extensive intralogistics systems with several kilometres of track.

In addition, the system works completely without mechanical wear. In practice, this means maintenance-free operation from implementation, without defects or spare parts. This is a decisive quality factor, especially in sensitive production environments such as the semiconductor industry. This is because any unplanned downtime, even the smallest production error, can cause high costs and render entire batches unusable. In addition, the entry barrier for the system is low, as it is already being used in various industries such as automotive manufacturing, food logistics and dispatch centres.

High standards for high demands

VAHLE is also ideally positioned in regulatory terms: The SEMI certification (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International), which is central to the semiconductor market, confirms, among other things, low particle emissions, high reliability and compliance with international fire protection regulations. It is regarded as a decisive standard in strictly regulated chip production and is the basis for the worldwide use of VAHLE technology.

Another door opener for the international market: VAHLE is one of only two suppliers worldwide with additional UL certification. "This is an important factor for market access in Asia and North America," explains Fink. While such certifications are less in demand in Europe, partly due to the traditionally low level of semiconductor production, they are considered standard in Taiwan, for example. The market logic also differs: unlike in price-sensitive sectors such as the automotive industry, price plays a subordinate role in semiconductor production. "Quality, reliability and energy efficiency take centre stage here. These are criteria where VAHLE can score points," says Fink.

Technology alone is not enough

VAHLE's move into the Taiwanese market is not only a technological milestone, but also a cultural one. Access is considered challenging. Not only because of the high technical requirements, but above all due to established structures and long-standing business relationships. Japanese providers have dominated the market for decades, often in almost monopoly-like constellations. If you want to gain a foothold here, you need more than just an innovative product. Trust, local presence and intercultural expertise are required.

For VAHLE, building personal relationships was therefore crucial. Johannes Schipflinger, Product Manager at the company, has been active in the Asian region for years and works closely with his colleagues on site. His regional experience and understanding of cultural nuances were key factors for entering the market on an equal footing. "Of course, you are perceived very differently when someone from your own culture is sitting in front of you," says Schipflinger.

Business models based on partnership

VAHLE's business model is based on partnership-based cooperation anyway. This is because contactless energy transfer is not a visible end product, but a central component within complex conveyor systems. "The invisible lifeline, so to speak. Crucial for operation, but not in the limelight," says Schipflinger. This is why close cooperation with system integrators and OEMs is particularly important, as they integrate the technology into their systems and market it together with VAHLE.

The market entry in Taiwan took place with the support of the VAHLE branches in Asia and the colleagues there, who established initial contacts and carried out technical and cultural translation work. Strategically, the project will continue to be managed from Germany. The proximity to the Asian market is an advantage, but the technological expertise remains clearly "Made in Germany". This promise of quality continues to carry great weight in Taiwan. Despite all the discussions about Germany as a centre of innovation, German engineering enjoys an excellent reputation in Asia. "We feel the trust at the latest when we present our technology," says Schipflinger. "The openness to innovation is there, but you want to know exactly who you're dealing with."

Culture of trust in Taiwan

Despite the westernised surface - German cars on the streets, iPhones in every hand - Taiwan has its own rules of the game: Business takes time, a personal connection and a physical presence. Business lunches at round tables with dozens of dishes, conversations in Chinese, even if English is understood, are all part of the culture of trust.

With every successful installation, trust grows and with it the opportunity to gain a long-term foothold in one of the world's most dynamic markets. The first projects are already on the horizon, and the local team impresses with its expertise, commitment and professional appearance. But in the semiconductor industry, a successful start is not enough: What counts now is consistency. Reliability, technological development and a continuous presence are the currencies used to build trust.

Global opportunities with German technology

VAHLE's entry into the Taiwanese semiconductor market shows how German engineering expertise combined with technological innovation can successfully gain a foothold in one of the world's most demanding technology fields. With the CPS140 contactless power transfer solution, the company fulfils the central requirements of chip production. But success is not based on technology alone. The establishment of trusting partnerships, cultural understanding and a long-term local presence have made a significant contribution to being recognised and accepted as a new provider - even by established market players. Demand is now growing and further projects are on the horizon. "We're not just riding a wave, we've built the right surfboards ourselves," summarises Product Manager Johannes Schipflinger.

Parallel to the expansion in East Asia, Europe, the USA and India are also moving more into focus. New semiconductor locations are emerging there in particular, with similar requirements for reliable and maintenance-free technologies. VAHLE is preparing for this step, for example by exhibiting at international trade fairs such as Semicon Taiwan or Electronica India. At the same time, co-operation with Taiwanese partners provides valuable impetus for the further development of the product. The first work packages for technological optimisation have already been defined. One thing is clear: the entry into Taiwan was more than just a single success. It is part of a long-term strategy to be a permanent player in a globally growing market.

"In the current discussion about innovation, high-tech and Germany's role as a centre of technology, there is often talk of deficits. However, it should not be forgotten that numerous medium-sized companies are actively taking Made in Germany out into the world as genuine key players in an export nation, which Germany continues to be," summarises Schipflinger. VAHLE is one of these companies with technological depth, global orientation and the will not only to serve future markets, but to help shape them.