Excellence in solutions for electrical energy
Prolec’s presence in the Americas displays qualities aligned to factors such as innovation, optimization, and environmental care, resulting in products and services that contribute to the welfare of society.
Produced by Jassen Pintado Interviewee Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
PROLEC: EXCELLENCE IN SOLUTIONS FOR ELECTRICAL ENERGY
“We are inspired to give the best from ourselves. We confirm our commitment to innovation, aiming to reach excellence in everything we do.”
Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
When we proudly state that Prolec is a leading company that provides integral solutions for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy, it is because our work is supported by the experience, the sense for social responsibility and the boldness to innovate in a constantly changing world.
SUM OF STRENGTHS
The solutions provided by Prolec to the communities and countries in which we have presence, are supported by our business units: Prolec GE, Prolec Celeco, Prolec Energy Solutions and Prolec Labs.
When adding this together, the presence of Prolec’s operations in the United States and Brazil strengthens our leadership, increases the scope of our solutions into the global market, besides expanding the Prolec solutions portfolio to offer to our clients.
We are inspired to give the best from ourselves. We confirm our commitment to innovation, aiming to reach excellence in everything we do.
- Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
TOGETHER WE DESIGN A BETTER TOMORROW
We are the result of a joint venture with Xignux, an important Mexican corporation with more than six decades and with a strong participation in the electrical energy and food sectors, along with General Electric, the worldwide known American company operating in different industries.
Our range of transformers, known globally for its proven quality and reliable performance, is always seeking to generate value to the market for the solutions we design and manufacture, according to our clients’ specific requirements, throughout our cutting-edge technology’s work in collaboration with our strategic partners.
A variety of products and solutions is available for every phase and need in the electrical industry:
• POWER GENERATION: pad-mounted step-up transformers for
renewable energies (wind and solar), power transformers, collectors, and generator stepup transformers.
• TRANSMISSION:
autotransformers, phase shifters, HVDC converters (high voltage direct current), reactors, transformers for FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) applications such as SVC (Static VAR Compensators) and VFT (Variable Frequency Transformers).
• DISTRIBUTION: pole and pad-mounted transformers both for singlephase and three-phase, voltage regulators, network transformers, submersible transformers, substation transformers and power station transformers.
The operational excellence culture at Prolec GE is reflected in the manufacturing processes, services, and integral solutions.
The company’s best practices are supported by TPS (Toyota Production System), which enables us to maintain lean manufacturing under a synchronized production scheme.
YEARS
Supplier
Profile
Number of Employees: 100+
Year Established: March, 1951
Industry: Paint
Main Servies: Industrial coatings and floors manufacturing
Recent Projects:
Prolec GE/ CFE TUXPAN II/ SANTA LUCIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/ DOS BOCAS REFINERY/ LINDE/ KEKEN/ MITSUBISHI.
President/CEOl: Enrique Marín
Webpage: www.pyrolac.com
PROLEC CELECO: A STORY OF INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP
A STORY OF INNOVATION AND LEADERSHIP
With a more than four-decade experience, in Prolec Celeco we are leaders in the design and manufacturing of ceramic and polymer components and electric insulators, serving utility companies and OEMs in the USMCAN market (United States, Mexico and Canada) with cutting-edge products such as circuit breakers, bushings, lighting arresters and other accessories.
Initially, Prolec Celeco focused on the manufacture of porcelain products, however, in the search for innovative solutions, we developed our well-known range of polymer products.
To this product range, we add customers’ assistance solutions that provide guidance in every stage of a project, from product development and manufacturing up to transportation, installation, testing, spare parts, and training.
Prolec Celeco’s experience in the market is supported by certifications and awards
earned by our quality, a huge differentiator. Our world-class manufacturing schemes and our continuous improvement philosophy lead us into becoming the best solution for our clients, exceeding industry standards.
EYES SET ON THE FUTURE
PROLEC ENERGY SOLUTIONS: EYES SET ON THE FUTURE
We are the ideal vehicle to offer our current, new and potential customers the best comprehensive solutions aligned to the challenges of their current and future needs.
Our success in innovation and development is reflected in solutions such as the smart transformer, for measurement of electric energy with the ability of remote connection and disconnection, as well as for fault detection and communication for the distribution transformers.
In Prolec Energy Solutions, we develop the best solutions for the challenges brought up by the industry, focused on:
• Solutions for transformer monitoring and diagnosis
• Measurement and remote connection / disconnection of users
• Solutions to optimize renewable energy generation
• The intelligent use of distributed energy
PROLEC LABS: THE WORLD CHANGES, AND WE CHANGE TOO
THE WORLD CHANGES, AND WE CHANGE TOO
With a proven sense of innovation and boldness, Prolec Labs has a research and development center where we conduct validation tests and develop power and digital electronic systems; magnetic materials for transformers and insulating materials, virtual simulation, and prototyping. We are experts in validationtesting high temperature insulating systems.
We want to be the most reliable strategic in the transformation and delivery of electric energy.
- Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
The opening of Conductores Monterrey in 1957 resulted years later in the creation of Xignux, the corporation Prolec belongs to
We are proud, among other achievements, of our great product: The VG-100®, dielectric fluid elaborated from seeds, a friendly alternative to the environment and 100% natural, which complies with international standards and is UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, not far behind we have different research projects along with
an extensive network of specialists, as well as domestic and international institutions and industry authorities.
INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CONTINUUM
“We thrust tech development and innovation to go along technology trends within our industry, striving to
Innovation has been a constant trait for Prolec throughout decades of providing solutions for electrical energy
be a step ahead.”
Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
In Prolec, R&D, innovation and wellbeing go along. That’s why we share important cooperation relationships with universities in the US such as Georgia Tech, MIT and Stanford University; we also work in specialized projects with higher
education institutions in Mexico such as ITESM (Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education) and the UANL (Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon).
RESPONSIBLE INTERACTIONS IN CONTRIBUTION WITH THE SURROUNDINGS
Prolec carries Corporate Social
STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSFORM STEEL
Ample, diverse and constant inventory of steel products.
Responsibility actions according to ethical principles, values, its community, staff and to the planet’s wellbeing. The company has different programs which contribute to the sustainable development goals set by the United Nations.
Prolec has been awarded multiple certifications and awards making us feel proud. We feel especially honored for those
awarded after subjects such as inclusion, diversity and consideration for our personnel and their families.
Part of our staff engages in voluntary service supporting communities and vulnerable populations in such activities as house building, school remodeling and community workshops about responsible energy management and other matters related
Our planet urgently needs the development of new ways to generate and distribute energy and Prolec is aware of this. All of our work is focused on this goal.
of Prolec to wellbeing and development.
That’s why we prioritize aiming toward sustainability with the development of each new solution capable of generating and distributing energy from renewable sources,
aligning our operations to safety standards well above those required.
“We share the conviction to keep being a profitable company while still being a socially responsible enterprise.”
Ricardo Suárez, CEO
HVDC Converter
Step-Up Transformer for Windfarms
Voltage Regulator
Single-Phase Pole-Type Transformer
Power Transformer
EVOLUTION THRUSTS US INTO TRANSFORMATION
“Our new look is not just about fulfilling an aesthetic purpose, to truly change our corporate image is the result of the transformation we are experiencing as a company.
We need this corporate image to be aligned to these current times of constant change, and we need it to portray the position we are taking by being Prolec.”
Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
A new way of feeling and portraying ourselves is taking shape in Prolec. This is undoubtedly a result of decades of experience and of our reaffirmed purpose to contribute to our society’s progress and wellbeing through innovation in the process of transforming and delivering electric energy.
We are aware that sustaining such a responsible, committed leadership in an ever-changing world will only become
possible by providing excellence in our products and services, and developing the best integral solutions able to positively impact every community in which we have presence.
A new way of seeing through ourselves and connecting by highlighting our purpose of being, based on the values that define us as Prolec, supported by the four elements backing our evolution: focus on the customer, operational excellence, innovation, and our social responsibility based in a solid humanistic culture. Our new company logo and rebranding isn’t just a new look. This transformation means a time for renovation in every one of us. As the great team we are at Prolec, we are convinced that our goals are related to communities’ everyday life, to a society being transformed every day, and to our world, which urgently needs new and improved solutions for a better present and a promising future.
We keep being a profitable company while still being a socially responsible enterprise.
- Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
A STORY OF SUCCESS, A FAIR AMOUNT OF CHALLENGES
AND SOLUTIONS
“We
want
to be the most reliable strategic partner in the transformation and delivery of electric energy.”
Ricardo Suárez, CEO of Prolec
Prolec’s origin goes back to 1957, when Jorge L. Garza, with support from his father, Rómulo Garza, opened Conductores Monterrey, taking the name from the city, which is a symbol of industry in Mexico, a company dedicated to the manufacture of bare copper wires and low-tension wires.
Prolec | Transformar, es evolucionar juntos
This is the birth of the first company of what later would become the Xignux corporation.
Prolec began operations in 1969, after the acquisition of IEI (Industrial Electrical Engineering), located in Mexico City, a small factory which produced medium-power and distribution electric transformers. In 1979,
this operation was moved to the State of Nuevo Leon, in Northeastern Mexico, where a new plant was built.
From the 1990s and on, these companies became bound over a Total Quality Culture being set among them, with help from the JUSE (Union of Japanese Scientists and
Engineers) and the ITESM Quality Center.
In 1995 Prolec established a joint venture with Xignux and General Electric, consolidating Prolec GE’s presence in the Americas.
This joint venture notably increased the range of products: power transformers were joined by residential, industrial and three phase pad mounted transformers.
By mid-2020, this strategic partnership increased its presence throughout the entire continent as two new business units joined the operation: one in Louisiana (USA) and another one in Canoas (Brazil), which allow Prolec GE to offer a wider range of products up to network transformers, voltage regulators, phase shifters and HVDC regulators (high voltage direct current).
PROLEC TODAY: TOGETHER TO TRANSFORM
“Prolec is a strong company covering
everything for energy to get to its destination, offering solutions not only as transformer manufacturers, but also as providers of a wide range of integral solutions.”
Ricardo
Suárez, CEO of Prolec
With a more than 50-year history and presence in 35 countries, Prolec evolves and transforms naturally. We keep updating our purposes to focus on the current needs the world we live in has. Everything changes and we must change, too.
We strive to maintain a responsible and committed leadership that keeps offering excellence in our products and services. We have the necessary experience and talent to always offer integral solutions able to bring a positive impact in every community where we have presence.
We want to be the reliable ally encouraging the co-creation and design of
new, solid, specialized solutions to impact and improve the conditions of electric power delivery.
We are accomplishing this purpose while being aware that every new challenge means there is a new solution. Along with our strategic partners and working in the same direction: together to transform.
Ricardo Suárez graduated in Mechanical Engineering from ITESM. He earned an MBA from the IESE (International Graduate School of Management) business school at the University of Navarra (Spain). Suárez earned a diploma in TQC (Total Quality Control) from JUSE. He has a long tenure working for Xignux companies, holding key positions since 1998 in Prolec Celeco and VIAKABLE in Monterrey as well as in Brazil. He is part of NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association). He’s been CEO of Prolec since 2015.
- The interview to Mr. Suárez was the source for this written feature.
