November 28, 2019

Reilhofer’s 20th anniversary in the USA with TED

Anyone involved with Reilhofer KG’s acoustic diagnostic systems on the North American market quickly gets in touch with TED, Test Equipment Distributors. RHF is not represented by its own office in the US, but by the Troy (Michigan) based partner company. This partnership celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. Together with Jason Beardslee from TED, we can look back on two decades. 

In the 1990s, Reilhofer KG worked intensively on its eolANALYSER for quality assurance in production. Quickly, interest in this product, especially in the Greater Detroit area grew large. As the company was already committed to customer proximity and spontaneity in customer service back then, it quickly became clear that a local RHF presence had to be established here. In November 1999, the partnership with TED began. The importance of the North American market grew in addition to the awarding of the Henry Ford Award to the Reilhofer KG in 2001 due to the eol technology (read “The Lucky Break We Owe to a Competitor“). Ford alone has integrated more than 25 end-of-line systems in automatic transmission test beds in Michigan and Ohio. At the same time, GM and Chrysler started with their first deltaANALYSER applications in their powertrain R&D centers.

Valuable experience of all applications and evaluations in 20 years

With TED, a partner was found that could provide direct customer communication and support due to its geographic proximity to most major automotive companies. Since then, Jason Beardslee has been TED’s main contact for Reilhofer customers. He got to know the measurement systems right from the start and thus has 20 years of experience in all measurements, evaluations and fields of application of the products. The focus of his work today is still on data analysis, on-site technical support and sales. If you ask Jason about his job during the last 20 years for Reilhofer KG, he cannot believe that it’s been so many years. “But if you have experienced the variety of applications and the further development of measurement and evaluation technologies, then it is also clear that there is a lot of work in it and something has matured. Yes, then you know that there are a few years of experience that come together here.”

Jason looks after the customers on site and is also looking forward to the business visits of the German colleagues, which take place several times a year. “Then we head to customer visits. Most of all, I am happy about the direct exchange. Is something different than on the phone.” Whether he has ever been in Germany in the company headquarters? “Yes! It is very helpful to meet all colleagues in person. I would like to do that again soon. But my wife is against it. Because the last time I was in Munich in the fall. And I had to spend a few days vacationing in order to visit the Oktoberfest … ” And he laughs mischievously and says “Well, I cannot come to Germany in the fall anymore anyway, because since 2014 we have our ‘RHF Technology Day’ every year in September, which is in high demand. The German colleagues are also there.” In addition, the Automotive Testing Expo Novi will always take place in October, adds Jason, and we are exhibiting there. Also in 2020, there will again be a “Reilhofer Technology Day”and a joint trade fair appearance.

No more water damage because of the deltaANALYSER 

In 20 years, one or the other curiosity happens. For example, on a long holiday weekend at Easter, the lab rooms of a well-known automobile customer were flooded and the testing lab engineers were called in: some test components in the test field that worked without a deltaANALYSER had exploded and flying parts hit the water pipes. Not a nice moment, but after the joint cleaning action pizza was ordered. And then the company ordered more deltaANALYSER, financed quickly and easily from the safety operation budget.

“On the subject of investment, I would like to say something final,” said Jason: “I thank Reilhofer KG, that over the years they have increasingly invested in their manuals or in the English language of their employees. In the beginning, the English of the manuals was so badly translated that I hardly dare to hand over the manuals. Today I can proudly pass them on and know that they are a great help to the customer – and me, too. “

We thank TED for a reliable and professional partnership and especially Jason for his commitment. For the next years!