General Manager at EASA Europe, Asia & Africa Chapter, Frédéric Beghain, shares how he found his way into the electrical engineering sector, explores the power of industry collaboration and explains why data will redefine the future of maintenance and sustainability.

How did you first get into the electrical engineering industry?

I came into the industry somewhat by chance. My academic background is in mechanical engineering, and at the time, there wasn’t much focus on these topics within formal education.

My entry point came through an opportunity with ABB, where I was asked to develop long-term and performance based maintenance contracts. That’s where I really discovered the sector and quickly became enthusiastic about it.

What struck me then, and still motivates me today , is  the potential to improve performance and extend the lifetime of existing machines. With today’s data revolution, that potential is even greater. It’s a field that’s evolving rapidly, and I believe it offers a very strong future.

Can you tell us about your career journey so far?

I’ve now spent more than 30 years in this industry. Half  of my career was with ABB, where I developed complete solutions around motor management and full-service offerings.

I then spent then two years with Vestas, gaining further experience in the wind energy sector. For the past 12 years, I’ve been leading EASA in Europe, Asia and Africa, which has been a particularly rewarding chapter.

In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with key decision-makers across the industry. Managing a professional association allows you to have a broader impact — helping to shape ideas, drive innovation and support the development of the sector as a whole.

What is the main goal of EASA, and what do you hope to achieve in your role?

At its core, EASA exists to strengthen the electromechanical service and repair industry by bringing together a strong professional community. It provides a framework where experts can learn from each other, share ideas, and collaborate on challenges that are difficult to tackle alone.

By working collectively, EASA enables investment in areas such as training, technical resources, databases, and regulatory alignment — all of which are far more effective when developed together than individually.

In my role, what I find most rewarding, and what I hope to continue supporting, is the creation of an environment where professionals can grow, exchange knowledge, and ultimately strengthen the wider industry.

Why do you choose to attend CWIEME Berlin?

I’ve been attending CWIEME Berlin for more than ten years, so I’ve seen how the event has evolved over time. What makes it particularly valuable is its strong focus on winding, which is central to our industry, especially when it comes to electric machines and rewinding.

It’s a unique opportunity to meet a wide range of companies and stakeholders all in one place. The location in Berlin also makes it very accessible for an international audience, which is important for an organisation like EASA.

Overall, it’s a key meeting point for the global community we serve.
 

What are you looking forward to most at this year’s event?

Our industry is incredibly active right now, with a lot of innovation and creativity emerging. I’d like to see that energy reflected in the event, not just in terms of new technologies, but also in new ways of thinking.

We can’t rely on “business as usual” anymore. The challenges we face require fresh ideas and new approaches. I’m particularly interested in seeing how companies are pushing boundaries and exploring different ways to move the industry forward.

Which technology will have the biggest impact on the industry over the next decade?

Without hesitation, I would say data. It is already transforming the world and will fundamentally reshape the maintenance sector.

With better access to data, we can understand how machines truly perform, optimise their efficiency and significantly extend their lifespan. This has major implications not only for cost and reliability, but also for sustainability and energy efficiency.

What makes data so powerful is that it allows us to measure, analyse, compare and improve performance in ways that  weren’t possible before.  I believe regulations will also take advantage of these new capabilities and companies that don’t embrace this shift risk falling behind.

We now have the tools to do things better, and the responsibility to make full use of them.