Sławomir Kwaśnik: High customer satisfaction thanks to defect-free products and services

We had a conversation with Sławomir Kwaśnik, who serves as the Technical and Commercial Director at Cellpack BBC Poland.

How does BBC Cellpack Electrical Products fit into the BBC?

BBC Cellpack Electrical Products, operating under the umbrella of the Swiss Behr Bircher Cellpack Group, places a paramount emphasis on crafting solutions that prioritize safety and exceptional quality. Our extensive product lineup encompasses cutting-edge offerings in the realm of cable and wire connections. This includes low and medium voltage cable joints and terminations employing heat-shrink, resin, and gel technologies. Complementary accessories complement this range.

The broader BBC Group encompasses entities that significantly align with the profile of BBC Cellpack Electrical Products. These include BBC Power Systems, engaged in the production of transformer stations and low to medium voltage switchgear. Moreover, BBC Cellpack Technology and BBC Cellpack Packaging are integral parts of the Group, involved in specialist plastics processing and applications within the packaging industry. Entities like BBC Smart Access and BBC Automation concentrate on the automation of production processes and secure access. BBC Innovation spearheads the development of futuristic solutions across the BBC Group.

Driven by the progressive direction of our main shareholder, Prof. Dr. Giorgia Behra, and characterized by a degree of decentralization, BBC Cellpack Electrical Products thrives on remarkable operational flexibility. This agility enables swift responses to market dynamics, often setting a benchmark for others to follow.

BBC Cellpack GmbH received the Top 100-Award in 2013 as one of the most innovative German medium-sized companies. TOP 100 stamp has been awarded for over 20 years to companies distinguished by exceptional commitment to innovation and successful on the market thanks to their products or services.

Please tell us about the beginnings of BBC Cellpack Electrical Products and the journey you had to take until the company became ‘synonymous with secure cable connections’.

Cellpack AG was established in 1935 in Switzerland, with its origins tracing back to Gebrüder Dreifuss AG, a plant that produced straw braid. The invention of plastic cellophane in Switzerland, as a resource-efficient alternative to natural straw, prompted the owners of Gebrüder Dreifuss AG to recognize its potential. Consequently, they founded Cellpack, an abbreviation for Cellophan Packaging, which marked the inception of a series of high-quality industrial products. In 1964, the forward-looking electrical products division, known today as BBC Cellpack Electrical Products, was added to the company’s offerings. Since then, the company has been dedicated to developing, manufacturing, and marketing modern cable connection systems.

In 1967, the electrical products division established Cellpack GmbH in Germany. This subsidiary produced cable connection systems and glass fiber-reinforced plastics, effectively serving the internal market of the European Community. In 1987, a new facility was constructed in Tiengener Schlüchtwiesen, followed by an expansion of its administrative facilities four years later. In 2010, a state-of-the-art plant was inaugurated in Radeberg, focusing on the development and implementation of shielded head systems.

Notably, in 2013, BBC Cellpack GmbH was honored with the Top 100-Award, recognizing it as one of the most innovative medium-sized companies in Germany. The “TOP 100” label has been awarded for over two decades to companies that demonstrate exceptional dedication to innovation and achieve market success through their products or services.

What group of recipients is your offer addressed to?

Our products find their primary users in the extensive installation market, frequently involving companies engaged in constructing cable lines and manufacturing transformer stations.

Given the all-encompassing nature of the “installation market,” we maintain continuous communication with Zakłady Energetyczne, which establish stringent standards for cable line and transformer station construction. Additionally, we ensure a consistent product availability within the Polish market through collaboration with robust commercial partners, including wholesale networks. This collective effort guarantees that our offerings align with the market’s requirements and effectively meet the needs of various stakeholders.

What is the strategic potential and driving force of your company today?

BBC Cellpack Electrical Products boasts a significant advantage in providing a comprehensive array of technologies, ranging from heat shrink and resin to gel, silicone, EPDM, and cold shrink solutions. This expansive portfolio is powered by the collaborative efforts of our dedicated team, serving as the driving force behind our success.

What key development investments has your company implemented in recent years in Germany and Switzerland?

Our diverse range of technologies necessitates staying attuned to market trends, which in turn drives us to diversify our investments. These investments predominantly revolve around production technologies, including the acquisition of new and faster production lines for heat shrinkable tubes, the automation and robotization of packaging processes for finished products, the establishment of automated lines for resin packaging, and the expansion of production capacity for head bodies. These strategic investments reinforce our ability to stay competitive and meet evolving market demands.

And what investments did Polish Cellpack implement?

In 2015, as the Polish division of BBC Cellpack Electrical Products, we established a Competence Center with the capacity to develop and tailor products for the Polish, Ukrainian, and Moldovan markets. A significant initiative within this endeavor was the establishment of a picking hall in Warsaw, accompanied by the launch of a station dedicated to the production of disconnectable surge arresters. These strategic moves have enabled us to efficiently cater to the needs of our target markets, ensuring our products align with local requirements and preferences.

The quality of our products gives us a sense of confidence, but what has allowed us to gain the trust of customers is the training system that we guarantee when using BBC Cellpack Electrical Products.

What is the key to success in this industry?

Our products’ exceptional quality brings us a strong sense of confidence. However, the true foundation of our customer trust lies in our comprehensive training system that accompanies the use of BBC Cellpack Electrical Products.

Our product design and optimization extend beyond ensuring long-term safety and functionality. We also prioritize the ease of operation for our cable accessories. We understand that simpler and quicker assembly processes, particularly in challenging weather conditions and confined spaces, significantly reduce the risk of errors and network disruptions. This commitment to user-friendly design contributes to the reliability and effectiveness of our products.

We had the opportunity to meet with representatives of your company, e.g. at the Energetab fair. Soon we will also see each other at the Grid Flexibility and Energy Storage conference, organized by our portal. Please tell me, what are the benefits of participating in industry events?

Engaging actively in industry events provides us with a valuable platform to directly interact with those who install and sell our products. These interactions allow us to discuss and exchange ideas about emerging trends, such as medium voltage (MV) network automation, often referred to as “smart grid.” This direct engagement empowers us to refine our ideas, gain insights, and stay attuned to market dynamics and evolving customer needs.

As a manufacturer, we pay special attention to environmental protection and constantly improve our processes to minimize the CO ₂ balance , i.e. the “carbon footprint”, using renewable energy sources and effective waste management. BBC Cellpack Electrical Products has ambitious environmental goals.

What are your ambitions and company plans for the future?

At the core of our company’s mission is achieving high customer satisfaction through the delivery of flawless products and services.

As manufacturers, we hold environmental protection in high regard. We are committed to refining our processes continuously to reduce our carbon footprint, effectively managing CO2 emissions. This includes adopting renewable energy sources and implementing efficient waste management practices. BBC Cellpack Electrical Products is committed to achieving ambitious environmental objectives.

Looking ahead, we have plans to enhance and refresh various technologies in the upcoming years. These initiatives are focused on enhancing the assembly process of our products, further contributing to our commitment to quality and innovation.

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BBC Cellpack Electrical Products has been focused on one thing for over 50 years: cable connection systems and accessories for low and medium voltage. The expertise we have accumulated includes the processing of raw materials, the production of resins and gels, the development of plastic joining technologies, as well as the assembly and packaging of cable accessories.

BBC Cellpack Electrical Products currently employs nearly 340 people worldwide, including its head office in Villmergen (Switzerland) and production facilities in Waldshut-Tiengen (Germany) and Radeberg (Germany).

BBC Cellpack Electrical Products has been part of the Behr Bircher Cellpack BBC Group since 2003.