ZAplus is the best fan of the year

Cpro is successful at the international Plus X Award 2013

Cpro and ZAplus have each received multiple seals _pxa_ihqfoe_de_neg

Development Director Dr. Walter Angelis (left), and Christopher Strobel at the Plus X Award Night 2013 in Cologne

ZAplus received multiple awards at the Plus X Award and was named the best fan of the year - front view - persp2 - cmyk1

ZAplus_Best product of the year_pxa_bp_pos_en

The Plus X Award is a symbol of brand quality with 130 independent jurors. The fan manufacturer Ziehl-Abegg received 11 seals for product quality this year and was awarded "Best Product of the Year 2013" in two categories. The awards pertain to the business areas of air technology and automotive.

Complex products are difficult to place in design competitions. Because the Künzelsau-based company primarily values low noise development and energy-efficient operation. Only then does design come into play. And it is precisely this that the expert jury at the Plus X Award appreciates, which collaborates with institutes such as TÜV during the evaluation. Both the fan wheel Cpro (radial fan) and the system unit ZAplus (axial fan) were awarded multiple seals for innovation, high quality, ecology, and functionality. "It is an important sign for our technicians and engineers that the ZAplus unit is awarded as 'Best Product of the Year' in the fan category," emphasizes CEO Peter Fenkl.

The technical director of Ziehl-Abegg, Dr. Walter Angelis, accepted the award at the Award Night in Cologne. He considers the composition of the jury as a sign of the quality of the competition. The jury for residential and building technology, for example, was led by Christopher Strobel, who is well-versed in the industry. Strobel is managing partner of several trade magazines in building and energy technology.

The Jury's Reasons

Cpro:
The design of the innovative fan "Cpro" from Ziehl-Abegg was modeled after a water droplet. This makes it run quieter and consume significantly less energy than conventional products. The new material ZAmid, with properties similar to steel, enables a rotational speed of up to 70 meters per second. The wheel is used in precision climate systems, ventilation and exhaust systems, cooling systems, climate cabinets, and cleanroom technology. Thanks to the material, the fan is completely corrosion-free, 100% recyclable, and consumes 15 percent less electricity during operation than steel impellers.

ZAplus:
"ZAplus" from Ziehl-Abegg stands for a fan system with groundbreaking efficiency, extreme flexibility, and ease of handling. The silent flight of the owl inspired the company's engineers to design the fan blades. As a result, significant improvements in efficiency and noise levels have been achieved. Through several technical modifications and a completely new compact unit, further – industry-revolutionary – improvements in energy consumption, airflow behavior, noise level, and handling have been realized. ZAplus represents a bionic axial fan in a compact unit made of high-strength composite material, with integrated motor and control, and a diffuser can be added. The system saves over 20 percent energy.

The award in the automotive sector concerns the electric wheel hub drive ZAwheel, which is used in city buses. This decision by the jury was anticipated by the CEO of Ziehl-Abegg. "Our e-mobility solution for city buses has received very positive feedback everywhere since its presentation at the IAA Commercial Vehicles last September," Fenkl recalls, mentioning the award by the Energy Globe Foundation in April. "No CO2 and no NO2, and it is more efficient than all other electric drives – that impresses," says the manager. For a few months now, this drive has been in series production in new vehicles of the sixth-largest European bus manufacturer VDL Bus & Coach (Netherlands).

About the Plus X Award
The Plus X Award is a symbol of brand quality: the recognized and independent jury of the award, with more than 130 industry-neutral jurors from 32 nations, all prominent trade journalists and industry personalities, voted on the best products of 2013.