Spotlight on growth: Livarsa AG
Saving energy is the topic of the moment. This was not the case in 2010 when Livarsa Switzerland was founded to increase energy efficiency and reduce power consumption on the basis of a unique transformer design and industry know how. Today, after 13 years in business, and despite a difficult start, Livarsa AG is very successful thanks to persistence and constant innovation. Around 200 large companies across Europe achieve energy savings of 3 to 6 percent with Livarsa technology. In an interview, the founders Salvi Donato and Mario Ditella talk about their approach and the breakthroughs that have helped them achieve this success.
What’s the main business problem that Livarsa addresses?
Energy savings and efficiency. You can’t save electricity. The most we can do is reduce electricity, turn it off or use less. The biggest challenge is the network architecture. Here Livarsa’s induction filters also help because they not only reduce energy losses, but also improve grid stability, power and network quality.
What where the breakthrough moments for Livarsa?
There were two events that made a material difference to our business. The first was the 2011 Fukushima reactor disaster in Japan. The second was the validation of our measurement method from Professor Dr. Ing. Jörg Bausch of the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg.
How did Fukushima affect your business?
The reactor disaster in Fukushima, Japan put the topic of energy saving in the foreground. Suddenly the demand was there, because even a few percent savings suddenly paid off. Jumbo, Manor and McDonalds were our first big customers. In the Swiss market alone, we were able to install 40 systems within a short period of time. We then founded our German operation in 2013. In Germany we were able to gain a foothold more quickly, mainly due to the higher energy prices and the lower level of regulation compared to Switzerland.
Why was the validation of your measurement method so important?
Only with the scientific validation by Professor Dr. Ing. Jörg Bausch from the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg, we have made the decisive, long-awaited breakthrough: the Livarsa-ECV® measurement method has proven to be watertight. Measurement technology and laboratory tests have shown that the Livarsa filter saves 3 to 6 percent of energy, depending on the project.
In which industries does the use of Livarsa’s system make the most sense?
Large industrial companies with a consumption of over one million kilowatt hours (KWh) benefit most from Livarsa’s approach. These include, for example, companies from the metal and plastics industry, as well as the food sector including, large bakeries such as the German REWE. These organisations typically achieve a positive return on investment within three to five years. Constant innovation shortens the time it takes for their investments to pay for themselves. To achieve such improvements, Livarsa offers both the expertise in architectural efficiency and in-depth knowledge of power grids.
Does Livarsa also install the filters on site?
We undertake the entire project planning and management on site. The professional installation is carried out by experienced partners from our network. This approach is extremely important as the Livarsa team must determine the optimal placement of the filters and ensure that they suffice what are very often, complex architectures
How do you convince potential clients?
With the positive return on investment (ROI). Nevertheless, not all energy suppliers have understood the topic and how we achieve the ROI. We still have to do a lot of educational work here and bring the network operators to the table.
What are your future plans?
Having survived Covid, where many projects were postponed, we are now expanding our international reach and service offering. Inquiries are now coming not only from our existing markets, but also from the U.S. and throughout Central and Eastern Europe. We have also expanded the business model to include efficiency architecture consulting.
A final question: Where does the name Livarsa come from?
It was named after Salvi Donato’s three daughters: Livia, Ariana und Sabrina, an idea from his wife.
Vicki Tanner
Partner
+41 43 300 56 72
EN / DE
Victoria Tanner works with CEOs and communications leaders of international and local companies to help grow their businesses. Clients rely on her extensive business, media and government networks and strategic communications advice, especially across mergers and acquisitions, launches, transformation and business development programs.