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Welotec Now Part of Westermo

Westermo provides robust and easy to use industrial network solutions, routers, switches and IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) connectivity

Welotec Joins Westermo: A Game-Changer for Throughput Technologies

On 2 April 2025, Welotec GmbH officially became part of the Westermo (Ependion Group) family. This strategic acquisition marks a milestone in the evolution of industrial networking - bringing together Welotec’s industrial computing and edge‑to‑cloud capabilities with Westermo’s leading data-communication systems. For Throughput Technologies, Westermo’s exclusive partner across southern Africa, this means even more comprehensive, high-performing solutions for our clients.

Who is Welotec?

Based in Laer, Germany and founded in 1969, Welotec is an expert in industrial computing, IoT edge gateways, and automation for energy and manufacturing sectors. Notably, the company:

  • Delivers rugged, fanless industrial PCs with features like wide operating-temperature ranges, extensive I/O, and long-term processor availability
  • Offers IoT Edge Gateways seamlessly integrated with platforms such as Azure IoT Hub and Azure IoT Edge
  • Produces industrial routers and switches with secure,

Welotec’s customers include European energy providers, OEMs, and system integrators.

Why the Acquisition Matters

Jenny Sjödahl, CEO of Westermo, states:

“The acquisition of Welotec will significantly enhance Westermo’s capabilities in industrial networking, particularly in the areas of edge computing and solutions for the energy and manufacturing segment…”.

The acquisition creates powerful synergies:

  • Expanded product portfolio featuring complete Edge‑to‑Cloud architecture for substation automation and factory automation
  • Stronger global sales and customer access, reinforcing market presence in Europe and Africa
  • Enhanced innovation, enabling a fusion of cybersecurity, edge processing, and communication
  • Technology Center in Laer, cementing Welotec as Westermo’s hub for industrial computing

Throughput Technologies stands to benefit directly from this partnership, offering richer, integrated solutions to southern African clients.

What This Means for Throughput’s Clients

As Westermo’s trusted distributor since 1997, Throughput will now offer a broader, deeper product suite combining:

  1. Industrial Grade Networking: Westermo’s robust routers, switches, and wireless extenders—built for extreme environments and long lifecycles
  2. Edge-to-Cloud Intelligence: Welotec’s industrial PCs and edge gateways enable on-site processing, AI-enabled analytics, and secure cloud connectivity
  3. Substation & Manufacturing Automation: Pre‑validated Edge Gateways tailored for smart substations, aligned with industry software like SyncConnect 
  4. Enhanced Cyber-Security: Integrated cyber-physical solutions combining secure communication hardware with edge-computing firewalls and secure boot capabilities
  5. Regional Support & Presence: Throughput’s Johannesburg office and technical team are fully backed by Westermo’s global support network

Deep Dive: Welotec’s Product Highlights

Industrial PCs (Arrakis & Alderamin series)

  • Fanless, rugged designs built for harsh environments
  • Intel Atom, Core i, or Xeon processors supporting diverse processing needs from automation to AI
  • Extensive I/O (serial ports, digital/analog I/O), wide temperature ranges, and EMC resistance tailored for industrial applications

IoT Edge Gateways

  • Enables real-time data collection and processing at the device level
  • Seamlessly integrated with Azure IoT Hub/Edge, and supports OPC UA and MQTT for robust IIoT 
  • Secure, purpose-built to operate in remote sites with limited connectivity

Industrial Routers

  • Rugged, compact routers (e.g., TK500 series) with LTE/4G, Wi‑Fi, and multiple Ethernet ports 
  • Built-in firewall, VPN support (OpenVPN, IPsec), and DIN-rail mounting for critical infrastructure

The Competitive Edge for Clients

  • Integrated systems reduce complexity in procurement and support 
  • Tailored solutions for mining, utilities, transport, water, and energy sectors
  • Future-proof infrastructure using Edge-to-Cloud platforms, AI processing, and secure networking 
  • Local service and expertise with both regional knowledge and global engineering support

What’s Next

  • Welotec will continue operating from its Laer base under Dr. Reinhard Lülff alongside the existing team 
  • The acquisition has been finalized June 2025 
  • Throughput will soon begin rolling out joint Westermo‑Welotec solution bundles to customers across southern Africa, enhancing its offerings in Edge‑to‑Cloud, smart substations, and industrial automation

In Summary

Welotec’s acquisition by Westermo represents a strategic milestone - building teams, products, and innovation into a unified platform. Throughput Technologies is ready to leverage this enhanced partnership, delivering:

A richer product portfolio spanning from rugged networking to intelligence at the edge Cutting-edge technologies for mission-critical sectors Stronger, integrated support and service across the region

For industrial operators, SCADA users, utility providers, and process manufacturers in southern Africa, this partnership means greater reliability, smarter systems, and a competitive edge in digital transformation.

Stay tuned: Throughput is excited to bring these next‑generation Westermo‑Welotec solutions to market - empowering clients to build resilient, intelligent infrastructure from edge to cloud.