METTZ Group FAQ

1. What does your company specialize in?
METTZ Group provides comprehensive solutions in electrical engineering, covering the entire production cycle from design, manufacturing, supply, to commissioning of both general-purpose and specialized equipment, such as those for mining, tropical settings, etc., ranging from 1 to 220kV. We pride ourselves as a professional manufacturer and engineering enterprise from China, catering to electro-technical projects. Currently, we have expanded our footprint across 29 countries, collaborating only with local professional partners.

2. Where is your company located?

METTZ Group’s headquarters are located in Hong Kong, while our primary factories, which have received significant investments from METTZ Group, are situated within mainland China.

3. How many enterprises are part of METTZ Group?

The METTZ Group encompasses over 27 factories situated within China, all of which have benefited from METTZ Group’s investments.

4. What range of products do you manufacture and sell?

Our primary product portfolio spans across 43 categories, including:

MEDIUM AND HIGH VOLTAGE:

1. High-voltage vacuum contactors (stationary and roll-out) ranging from 6kV to 35kV.
2. Vacuum circuit breakers for substations at 6, 10, and 20kV.
3. Vacuum circuit breakers for substations at 35kV.
4. Outdoor vacuum circuit breakers (reclosers) for 10, 20, and 35kV.
5. 35kV outdoor vacuum circuit breakers.
6. Outdoor vacuum circuit breakers for 72 and 110kV.
7. Grounding devices (Earthing switches) for 10, 20, and 35kV.
8. Vacuum load breakers (switches) for 10, 20, and 35kV.
9. SF6 gas-insulated load switches for 10, 20, and 35kV.
10. Disconnectors for 6, 10, and 20kV.
11. 35kV disconnectors.
12. High voltage disconnectors for 110 and 220kV.
13. 35kV outdoor SF6 gas-insulated circuit breakers.
14. Outdoor SF6 gas-insulated circuit breakers for 110 and 220kV.
15. Air-insulated switchgear for 10, 20, and 35kV.
16. Solid-insulated switchgear for 10, 20, and 35kV.
17. SF6 gas-insulated switchgear for 6, 10, 20, and 35kV.
18. Compressed air insulation for 10kV switchgear.
19. Compact bus ducts and bus bridges.
20. Vacuum chambers for products ranging from 1, 3, 6, 10, 15, 20, 35, to 110kV.
21. Switchgear components (insulators, connectors, covers, contacts, etc.).
22. Measurement transformers (current and voltage).
23. Power transformers (oil and dry types).
24. Overhead line hardware.
25. High-voltage frequency converters.
26. High-voltage XLPE and XLPES cables with silicone insulation.
27. Devices for testing relay protection equipment.

LOW VOLTAGE:

28. Low-voltage vacuum contactors, including reversible types for 1.14kV.
29. Mining-specific vacuum circuit breakers and starters for 1.14kV.
30. Low-voltage disconnectors – modular type switches (12 variants).
31. Low-voltage modular type distribution panels (NKU).
32. Components for various NKU types: MNS, BLOKSET, OKKEN, SIVACON.
33. Low-voltage bus systems and bus ducts.
34. Resistor blocks.
35. Terminal boxes and terminal blocks.
36. Digital and analog panel instruments.
37. Low-voltage frequency converters.
38. Electrical installation products and fasteners.
39. Cabinet locks, hinges, and related accessories.
40. Electrical cabinet components: (insulators, terminal blocks, connectors).
41. Controllers for cabinets: (thermostats, heaters, fans, air conditioners).
42. Capacitors and capacitor assemblies.
43. Industrial batteries of various types.

5. Do you engage in engineering and technology transfer?

We offer more than just finished products. We provide components and, most importantly, solutions for manufacturers seeking to produce goods in their local markets. Beyond technology transfer, we train our partners and continue our collaboration as an associate and engineering partner. We assist in devising new modifications for various projects and refining the products.

6. Which of your products have international certifications?

We prepare international certifications for all vacuum circuit breakers and reclosers from 10 to 35kV. We also consistently renew certifications for specific vacuum contactors and transformers. However, our partners often obtain certifications for their local markets. If certificates from our company are required, we refresh them with each delivery.

7. Do you have KEMA international certifications?

Our partners in European countries and other relevant nations obtain KEMA certifications for our products under their brand name. As of now, we cannot feasibly or financially obtain such certifications for our company for all 29 countries to which we supply our products.

8. Can we discuss things in person or over the phone instead? 

Engaging in verbal negotiations isn’t typically productive for any business. In China, we have long adopted written electronic correspondence. To avoid translating phone conversations into written reports later on, we suggest conducting all discussions via email or Skype. Please pose your questions in writing. It is essential for long-term collaboration, allowing both parties to revisit and verify previous agreements and clarify technical issues. This is especially important when partner companies operate in different time zones.

9. How do we initiate a partnership with your company?

To commence a partnership, please provide answers to the following five standard questions:

1. Name, phone number, and e-mail of the company’s decision-making executive.
2. Name, phone number, and e-mail of the employee responsible for collaborating with our company.
3. Total number of employees, and among them, how many are professional engineers?
4. Sales breakdown for voltage categories: 1kV, 6-10kV, 35kV, above 110kV? (percentages are acceptable).
5. Please provide a copy of your company’s registration certificate. Once we receive this information, we’ll add your company to our potential partners database. After product range agreement and initial shipments, we transition your company into our professional partners category, qualifying you for better product prices.

10. Can you assist in business development and how can one become a partner?

We are always ready to support our partners and customers in business growth. But it starts with the product: which specific products are you interested in? Please send us your product range and your business development strategy vision. We will then provide a comprehensive response regarding potential collaboration opportunities and the development of your electrical business within our capabilities.

11. Do you manufacture products under OEM terms?

Yes, our company produces products according to the technical requirements of clients under their own brand names. For over 110 companies, we manufacture products under their trademark, operating as an OEM partner. OEM, or Original Equipment Manufacturer, refers to a company that manufactures parts and equipment that may be marketed by another manufacturer under their brand.

12. To whom and where do you ship your products?
We dispatch our products exclusively to our professional partners. We seldom deal directly with end-users, believing it’s the purview of our local partners who are more acquainted with their specific markets.

13. Does your company participate in tenders?

We do not directly engage in tenders. However, we offer maximal support to our partners when they participate in local or international tenders. On average, we assist our partners in 15-20 tenders every month.

14. Why do you avoid tenders and not invest in marketing?

Our primary focus is efficient production of high-quality and advanced products. We channel our investments towards new industrial equipment, factory renovations, development of new products, and the adoption of new technologies. We leave the tasks of marketing and sales to our partners.

15. What is the production lead time?

Production times vary depending on the type and quantity of products in an order. For instance, vacuum contactors up to 500 units are produced within 10-14 days; vacuum circuit breakers and reclosers take 25-35 days; control and distribution boards and switchgear take 14-18 days post approval of details and drawings; measuring transformers require 15 days, and power transformers take 25-35 days.

16. Which countries are served by METTZ Group products?

METTZ Group products are distributed to 29 countries globally:

• Eastern Europe — 9 countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine.
• Western Europe — 7 countries: Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sweden.
• Asia — 6 countries: Vietnam, India, Laos, Mongolia, Pakistan, Thailand.
• Americas — 4 countries: Canada, Mexico, USA, Chile.
• Africa — 3 countries: Egypt, South Africa, Ethiopia.

17. Is it possible to manufacture products based on our designs, e.g., partially equipped switchgear (without terminals for microprocessor protection relays, meters), without current transformers, or voltage transformers? 

Yes, we often operate in this manner. We supply switchgear with all interlocks but exclude protection relays, current transformers, busbars, and low-voltage compartments. Our partners then add these components upon receiving the products, perform tests, and then release the full-fledged products under their brand name.

18. Can standard products be customized?

Yes, customization is a primary function of our engineering division. For our partners, we modify vacuum circuit breakers, switchgear cell enclosures based on input locations and technological holes, by types of locks, use of various busbar types, as well as brand-specific labeling and packaging. Customization stems from the idea of adjusting or altering something to better fit a specific consumer’s needs.

19. What types of switchgear do you supply?

We manufacture and supply 4 main types of switchgear for 10-35kV:

1. Air-insulated switchgear at 10, 20, 35 kV.
2. Solid-insulated switchgear at 10, 20, 35 kV.
3. SF6 gas-insulated switchgear at 6, 10, 20, 35 kV.
4. Compressed air-insulated switchgear at 10 kV.

20. Do you have adaptation kits for non-standard switchgear?

We have long adhered to international standards and aim for products comparable to those produced by major global companies for the global market, such as ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Eaton, LS, and others. However, if a client provides drawings or a sample, the development of an adaptation kit for any cabinet or switchgear cell takes 3-4 weeks.

21. Which vacuum circuit breakers are your switchgear designed to work with?

Our switchgear cells and their components are designed to work with vacuum circuit breakers from both Chinese manufacturers and major Western producers like Siemens, Schneider Electric, VB/TEL from Tavrida Electric, VD4 and ZS1 from ABB.

22. Apart from switchgear, what products can you supply in the form of assembly kits?

We supply the following products in assembly kit forms and assist our partners in localization: vacuum circuit breakers for 6-10-20-35kV, reclosers for 10 and 20kV, disconnectors for 10kV, earthing switches for 10 and 20kV, measuring transformers, and power transformers (both oil and dry types), as well as low-voltage distribution devices.

23. Can you provide prices for vacuum circuit breakers?

The price greatly depends on both the quantity and technical specifications of the product. To determine the price, we require a detailed specification and a filled-out inquiry form with the product’s parameters. You can download these inquiry forms from our website or request them from your account manager.

24. How is the final product price determined?

The final price is derived based on five criteria:

1. Product specifications (as per the inquiry form or the electrical diagram),
2. Product quantity,
3. Delivery terms (by sea, train, or air),
4. Payment terms (currency type and payment deferral),
5. Customer status (professional partner, distributor, etc.).

25. What’s the minimum supply order value from China?

The minimum supply batch should amount to no less than $7,000 (FOB prices in Ningbo, China). Exceptions might be considered for regular partners.

26. Can you help reduce prices and lower production costs?

For many partners globally, we offer cost evaluation services, aimed at price minimization and cost reduction for products they’ve long sourced from China or other countries. Our finance department requires the product assortment (with parameters), quantity, and current prices. Afterward, we involve a project team of engineers and technologists to find the best pricing solution. For instance, we recently reduced the cost of components for 10kV and 35kV switchgear cells by 18% for a company that had been purchasing this product from China for two years.

27. What are the warranty periods for your products?

The standard product warranty lasts 12-24 months. However, an extended warranty of up to 7 years is available for an additional fee. Our products have a lifespan of 25-30 years and are manufactured according to IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) international standards, a global non-profit organization for standardization in electrical, electronic, and related technologies.

28. How do you handle claims? What’s the procedure?

We adhere to a standard procedure for handling claims. If an item is missing or defective, we draft a report, perform a check, and then provide a free replacement.

29. What’s the delivery process for switchgear cells or their structures?

The ordering and delivery procedure for switchgear cells from our factory in China is straightforward and comprises three main stages:

1. Decide on the type, schematics, and arrangement of the switchgear cells in the room, considering the required dimensions.
2. Choose the type of circuit breakers and their dimensions in CAD (DWG model).
3. Determine the primary components to be installed in China, and which will be installed by the customer upon receiving the cells at their warehouse. After agreeing on the specifications and drawings, we commence production, which lasts 25-35 days, depending on the order’s quantity and complexity. Shipments are dispatched from China, either from the port of Shanghai or Ningbo.

30. In any collaboration, issues inevitably arise. How can we avoid them?

We approach all challenges with a partnership mindset, addressing them swiftly and in a mutually beneficial manner. Our typical «purchase and deliver» transaction with a client concludes once we’ve shipped and they’ve received the first batch of products. That’s when our partnership truly begins. During this collaborative phase, we:

• Respond promptly to all queries,
• Modify the product’s design as needed,
• Strictly adhere to all requirements,
• Make adjustments to components,
• Provide comprehensive details on components and materials,
• Maintain prices, even if material costs rise,
• Conduct training sessions for engineers and technologists,
• Share potential improvements for the product type,
• Introduce the latest materials and components.
  We furnish our partners with a wealth of information on our products and technologies.

31. We’re impressed by your products, but the delivery times concern us. How can delivery times from China be shortened?

We currently establish annual supply contracts with professional partners from various countries. If such a contract is in place, we purchase and stock components at our expense, based on the agreed-upon monthly supply schedule. This method drastically reduces delivery times and the likelihood of errors. Shipping finished products directly from our warehouse is the most effective way to minimize delivery durations.

32. Are you capable of handling substantial orders within a short timeframe?

Yes. Our production capabilities are designed to handle large volumes, especially switchgear cells and vacuum circuit breakers. Our continuously replenished inventory ensures no disruption in operations. We stand ready to fulfill both large and particularly extensive orders within 25-35 days.

33. Do you plan meetings with partners?

Every year, we schedule meetings with partners across different countries. Clients receive our full catalog assortment along with updated technical and pricing information in digital format during these bilateral meetings and presentations. These are held annually at major international exhibitions in various countries. We request that you inform our export department managers in advance if you wish to meet with us.

34. Which products can partners receive presentations on?

We annually update presentations for partners on the primary groups of products we supply. Please reach out to our managers to order the required presentation.

35. Can we visit your production facilities in China?

Yes, we invite partners to one or several of our factories in China right after placing an order. However, visit dates need to be agreed upon in advance since, by January of each year, we schedule visitations and negotiations for the entire year. Additionally, when signing a long-term collaboration agreement, we can also arrange training for your engineers, assemblers, and technologists at our factory in China.

36. How do you ensure confidentiality?
Information about our company’s partners is treated as confidential internal data, and we do not share it with third parties. When entering into an agreement with our company, you can rest assured that neither competitors nor other partners will have access to information about our collaboration.