30 Years of Schukat and MEAN WELL: A Conversation About Trust, Innovation and Shared Success

Congratulations on your 30th anniversary! How did the partnership between Schukat and MEAN WELL begin?

Bert Schukat: Our founder, Hans-Georg Schukat, had a keen eye for emerging technologies. At a time when linear power supplies still dominated the market, he recognized the potential of switched-mode power supplies at an early stage. Through an Asian trade magazine, he became aware of MEAN WELL, a manufacturer that was still largely unknown in Germany at the time. We ordered the first samples and were quickly impressed by their quality. This marked the beginning of a long-standing partnership that continues to this day. Three decades of collaboration are quite remarkable in the electronics industry.

What makes this partnership so special?

Bert Schukat: From the very beginning, our collaboration has been built on trust, mutual respect, and open communication. MEAN WELL keeps us informed about new technologies, standards, and product developments, while we provide valuable feedback on the evolving needs of the European market. For many years, Schukat has played a key role in the German and Austrian markets. We have made a significant contribution to expanding MEAN WELL's business and continuously strengthening the company's market presence in the region.

Ted Cheng: Our relationship has evolved from a traditional distributor-manufacturer relationship into a strategic partnership. While MEAN WELL contributes its expertise in product development, manufacturing, and brand management, Schukat provides market access, logistics, and close customer support. This continuous exchange enables us to develop and deliver products that are optimally aligned with market requirements.

How has the MEAN WELL product portfolio evolved over the past 30 years?

Bert Schukat: The first G2 generation S-Series consisted of just five models with four output voltages, complemented by a few dual- and triple-output versions. Today, the MEAN WELL portfolio includes more than 10,000 standard models, ranging from compact 1 W DC/DC converters to highly sophisticated stand-alone AC/DC power supplies delivering up to 30 kW. The product range includes DIN-rail, chassis-mount, and PCB power supplies. For particularly harsh environments, MEAN WELL also offers fully encapsulated IP68-rated power supplies with outputs of up to 1,000 W. The power supply market continues to evolve at a rapid pace.

Figure 2: The evolution of MEAN WELL catalogs over the years reflects the company's continuous expansion of its product portfolio, technological innovation, and commitment to serving a growing global customer base.

What sets MEAN WELL apart from its competitors?

Ted Cheng: We focus on industrial standard power supplies for low- and medium-volume applications. Our solutions are used across a wide range of industries, from LED lighting and medical technology to transportation applications. Our success is built on more than 40 years of experience, outstanding product quality, digitalized manufacturing and supply chain processes, and comprehensive international certifications.

Today, customers expect more than just reliable products – they also pay close attention to a company's sustainability strategy. How are Schukat and MEAN WELL meeting these expectations?

Ted Cheng: Sustainability is a key priority for MEAN WELL, and we have set ourselves ambitious goals: by 2030, we aim to reduce our CO₂ emissions by 50%, and by 2050, we strive to achieve carbon neutrality. To support these goals, we verify our greenhouse gas emissions and publish product-specific carbon footprints. In addition, we have implemented an energy management system to continuously improve energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption throughout our manufacturing operations.

Bert Schukat: Sustainability is also a key focus at Schukat. Around 65% of the electricity required by our headquarters is already generated by our own solar power system, and we are increasingly using electric vehicles for our field sales operations. Wherever product requirements allow, we use recycled packaging materials and have adopted largely paperless processes throughout the company. Our buildings are designed to low-energy standards, rainwater is allowed to infiltrate naturally on-site instead of entering the sewer system, and incoming fresh air is preconditioned using geothermal heat exchangers.

The past few years have been marked by supply shortages and volatile markets. How were you able to ensure a reliable supply together?

Ted Cheng: Challenging times clearly demonstrate the value of a long-term partnership. Over the past few years, we have consistently expanded our production capacities and further strengthened our supply chains. Close coordination with our distribution partners has been essential, enabling us to respond flexibly to changing market conditions, allocate production capacities efficiently, and secure our customers' projects.

Bert Schukat: Compared to many other electronic components, power supplies were generally less affected by allocation issues in recent years. Nevertheless, the market developments also presented us with new challenges. Our long-term inventory strategy and the high availability of production-ready stock enabled us to mitigate delivery delays and provide our customers with a high level of supply security.

How do you see the future of the partnership? What are your goals for the years ahead?

Ted Cheng: Our goal is to transform MEAN WELL from a leading manufacturer of standard power supplies into a comprehensive provider of power supply and application solutions. We see significant growth potential, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, smart buildings, and industrial automation. Our commitment to quality, product availability, and excellent value for money will continue to be the foundation of this development.

Bert Schukat: As MEAN WELL's largest distributor in Europe by sales, our focus is on continuing to grow together and securing important market shares. At the same time, we are continuously expanding our portfolio and maintaining a proactive inventory strategy to ensure high product availability. New high-power solutions are opening up additional market segments, particularly in demanding e-mobility applications. After 30 years of successful collaboration, we look forward to continuing this journey together with MEAN WELL and our customers.