Joe Zirnhelt is president and CEO of Power Systems Research, a company that provides global data and intelligence on engines and power equipment. In this podcast, Joe describes components modules and how clients use this information to enhance the power and utility of the base data. Key components include Spark Plugs, Filters, Turbos, and Axles that are added to the engines and equipment tracked by Power Systems Research.
Transcript
Welcome to the PSR PowerTALK podcast, produced by Power Systems Research.
00:06 Joe Delmont:
From Power Systems Research I’m Joe Delmont, editor of PSR PowerTALK. Today, we’re talking with Joe Zirnhelt about PSR’s database offerings and how clients use them to grow their markets.
Last time, Joe discussed the main features of PSR databases. Today we’ll talk about several component modules offered by the company. These modules increase the power of the base data offered by PSR. Joe is President and CEO of Power Systems Research.
Joe let’s review some of the information about PSR you provided last time. You say PSR is a research company. What kind of research does PSR perform?
00:55 Joe Zirnhelt:
Well thanks, Joe.
Since 1976 we’ve been collecting worldwide production information on engines as well as the OEM’s that install those engines into their powered equipment.
01:11 Joe Delmont:
Production data — what does that involve? What kind of information can a client purchase from PSR?
01:19 Joe Zirnhelt:
Well, our production data includes attributes such as the engine type and size, for example, and the applications that use those engines. We also show details about the equipment models where those engines are installed, as well as information about the OEM’s that are actually producing the equipment.
01:43 Joe Delmont:
Can you be more specific? Can you give us an example?
01:46 Joe Zirnhelt:
Well, it’s pretty simple, really. Take, for example, we’ll list a 300-horsepower engine that’s used in a tractor that’s produced by any one of a number of OEM’s located in the United States. We can tell you what the production is for that tractor with that engine installed.
02:13 Joe Delmont:
OK Joe, using that example, tell us how your database information is organized.
02:21 Joe Zirnhelt:
Actually, we have four very targeted databases: EnginLink, OE Link, CV link, and PartsLink. We cover information globally that includes production, sales, and in-service population of the equipment.
02:44 Joe Delmont:
Joe, for those clients who need information on specific components. Now, how do you meet their needs?
02:52 Joe Zirnhelt:
For those types of clients, we can provide specific component details such as turbocharger supplier, turbocharger geometry, turbo layout and the quantity of turbos per engine installation. These types of details for the turbo, for example, are important for component suppliers who need information about the components that are attached to either the engines or the equipment.
03:25 Joe Delmont:
So what can you tell us about the component modules that Power Systems Research offers? How do they differ from your extracts and how are they different from what other research firms offer?
03:41 Joe Zirnhelt:
Good questions, Joe. “Data is just data” some would say. “It’s just a commodity” — And that is true to a certain extent. But not everyone has the same data or the same level of comprehensiveness, backed up by a team of global analysts, as well as a consistent and systematic process for both researching and validating the data and then putting those items together for the total picture.
04:16 Joe Delmont:
OK, so let’s talk about component modules. What is a component module?
04:21 Joe Zirnhelt:
What we refer to as a component module includes both consumables and major parts that can be related. The key is that they’re related to either an engine or a piece of equipment. And we believe Power Systems Research offers really the widest selection of the most detailed types of component modules in the industry.
04:48 Joe Delmont:
That’s a pretty broad claim, Joe. Why do you say that?
04:52 Joe Zirnhelt:
Well, for this reason: if you look at the PSR component modules available in the component module directory on our powersys.com website, you’ll see a wide range of components that are available. For example, when I mentioned consumables, we have things like spark plugs and filter information. On the more fixed attributes of components we have information about the engine or vehicle, such as the transmission or the axle configuration of a medium or heavy commercial vehicle, or the type of turbocharger or fuel injection equipment that’s used on an engine that is installed into that equipment. So the offerings there on the types of components are very broad.
05:51 Joe Delmont:
I’m still unclear on exactly how you’re defining a component. Can you explain that to me?
05:59 Joe Zirnhelt:
Sure, Joe. We define a component really as anything that can be related or is attached or connected to an engine or a piece of equipment. Things like spark plugs, and filters, I mentioned before, turbos, transmissions. Additionally, a component can be, uh, more of a descriptive attribute about the equipment, such as detailing the possible axle configurations for an equipment model, vehicle model, or the engine oil specifications, or the engine oil change intervals. We can relate those engine oil specs or change intervals to a certain equipment model.
06:50 Joe Delmont:
Got it.
Did these component modules contain current and forecasted component production data?
06:59 Joe Zirnhelt:
Joe, this is really where the powerful aspect of our component information comes into focus.
So let’s take spark plugs for example. Considering the first fit types of installations, the number of spark plugs consumed on an annual basis depends on how many engines are produced and then installed into various types of equipment. Alternatively, for those interested in the aftermarket, we have the in-service population of equipment that’s out there operating. Furthermore, we know what engines are installed into those types of equipment. Thus, we know the demand for spark plugs in the aftermarket will be relatable to that in service population. So, in essence here, the demand for any component we cover is quantifiable when it’s related back to the type of equipment that actually uses that component.
08:08 Joe Delmont:
Well, that’s pretty impressive.
Now, how often do you update your data?
08:13 Joe Zirnhelt:
We’re continually updating our information and we publish a major update report for our subscribers each quarter.
08:22 Joe Delmont:
Well, OK Joe, I’m sure you could dive into more detail about these components packages, but we’re running out of time today. We can discuss more about specific component modules and the available fields associated with each one in future podcasts. In the meantime, please tell our listeners how they can learn more about the component modules you offer.
08:48 Joe Zirnhelt:
Joe, listeners can go to our website at powersys.com and download the component modules directory. That’s available from the Component Module section under the Products dropdown menu on our website. This directory has the full list of information on all of the components we track.
09:12 Joe Delmont:
Joe, thanks for joining us today and updating us on the component modules offered by PSR.
Look for industry reports every month in the PSR PowerTALK news report and on this podcast. Contact us for more information at (651) 905-8400 or email us at info@powersys.com.
Thank you for joining us today and please visit the PowerTALK archive for other episodes of the show at powersys.com.
09:50
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