Intellectual property is in Punch Powertrain’s DNA 

Punch Powertrain is headquartered in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, and it has global locations that develop and produce for local markets. The history of Punch Powertrain goes back almost fifty years. It all started with the introduction of the automatic at DAF. There, the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) was developed under the name Variomatic. This was a technology that made it possible to drive without manually shifting gears. Punch Powertrain arose from multiple acquisitions and joint ventures.

By now, the company has grown and has expanded its markets and product range with the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) — a transmission that also shifts automatically. This DCT (DT2) is used in hybrid (48V and Plug-In Hybrid) vehicles, among others. What is unique to the drive systems of Punch Powertrain is that the same number of gears can be eventually achieved with fewer components. This often makes them more efficient and affordable than competing systems.

Multiple global car brands — mainly found in Europe and China — are already using Punch Powertrain’s systems. Starting in 2023, the brands of Stellantis (the former PSA Group), including Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Vauxhall and DS Automobiles, will have the DT2 developed by Punch built into their vehicles.

The market position conquered by Punch Powertrain is mainly thanks to its attention to innovation. More than one in four employees is active in product development in its six R&D centers located in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, India and China. With the know-how that the company has accumulated in this way, it is prepared for the future. After all, the automotive market is changing from conventional technology to full-electric technologies via hybrid systems. And in full-electric technologies — where everything is automatic and fully electric powered — is precisely where Punch Powertrain is placing its full focus.

At Punch Powertrain, its employees are alert to finding the potential crown jewels of the company. The ‘harvesting’ of intellectual property is a fixed component in each phase of product development. Pascal van Troost, Global IP Leader, has put IP on the map at Punch Powertrain in recent years. Here, he focused especially on setting up an IP portfolio, the IP strategy, and the internal processes. V.O. advised Punch Powertrain in these efforts and also in the management of the patent portfolio. Annemie Jaeken, patent attorney at V.O., explains: “This was an intensive process in which mutual trust is crucial to be able to act as a business partner in this. And we still regularly discuss the approach for building up their IP portfolio. At Punch Powertrain, IP protection is not limited to the R&D department. Other departments, such as Purchasing and certainly HR, also play a crucial role in this.”

Pascal adds, “Our people are actually our most important IP assets. That’s why HR plays an important role in the retention of knowledge within the organization. For example, it is possible to secure a part of the knowledge with patents. Additionally, IP is always a bottleneck in the purchase of parts.

Often parts must be adjusted and something new is then created because we need something that is not yet on the market. When the IP of that development lies contractually with us, we have a stronger negotiating position with other suppliers in the event that we want to use a second supplier.”

“Where it concerns patent issues, V.O. is a discussion partner and adviser for us,” says Van Troost. “The attention at Punch Powertrain for the protection of our innovations and for building our patent portfolio has certainly helped us obtain the PSA Group assignment. Because of patent protection, our distinctiveness is secured.” Jaeken adds, “It’s great to see how Pascal has enabled the entire organization to see the importance of protecting IP. It’s a nice example of the way in which a company maximizes the value of its intellectual property.”