GEA : 125 years GEA Separation – From machine manufacturer to integrated solution provider and global technology leader

Another example: cruise ships. GEA separators are used here for heavy oil treatment as well as for treating bilge water, an oil-water mixture. Simple 'discharging' into the sea is strictly prohibited - so solutions have to be found, and GEA is developing them.

In the shipping sector, for example, the new GEA marine Separator with integrated direct drive was presented at SMM 2018 in Hamburg. This innovative separator massively changes the working day on board a ship and offers an extremely simple service concept, compact design, more output per square meter of floor space and intelligent connectivity. Compared to previous systems, the efficiency of the directly driven GEA marine Separator has been increased to 96 percent. This direct drive requires no belt or clutch. Spindle and motor are available for the first time as a 'modular exchange drive unit'. This is exchanged as a complete unit after 16,000 operating hours with a factory-overhauled and OEM-certified drive module, which is delivered worldwide to a location of choice - 'Same Day Delivery' is possible. This reduces maintenance on board by up to 90 percent. Separately switchable, intelligent systems such as GEA EffiClean, with which disk stacks can be cleaned in just 20 minutes - instead of the usual up to eight hours - make this innovation very customer-friendly. The core idea behind all GEA developments has remained the same for over a century: The benefit for the customer is the focus of all innovations. For this reason, the innovative concept should also be available for other areas of application in the future.

'All these examples demonstrate our innovative strength and the commitment of the entire GEA team. I am convinced that our will to constantly develop and improve ourselves and our feeling for our customers will continue to make us successful,' says Steffen Bersch. GEA is already a solution provider for all kinds of applications. The company has innovative service concepts covering the complete life cycle of the machine and plant, such as monitoring, asset management, consulting and performance optimization for the customer. Continuous innovation and proximity to the customer through the global network and competence centers such as Oelde are further advantages. GEA is already well positioned, says Bersch. However, further major efforts are needed to stay at the top of the world league. And this is where digitalization comes in.

'Only by using digital solutions and technologies is it possible to create sustainable and future-oriented products and structures to increase efficiency,' says Tobias Brinke, Head of Product Group Management Separation. According to Brinke, GEA is already in the middle of a digital journey to continue playing at the top of the world league in the future. GEA therefore fills the term 'digitization' with new life every day.