Purdue Expands Partnership With Rittal and Eplan With Launch of Two Engineering Technology Labs
October 6, 2026
Purdue University, Rittal and Eplan, sister companies in industrial, electrical and automation engineering, celebrated the opening of two new learning labs Tuesday (Sept. 15) in Dudley Hall, part of Purdue’s Engineering and Polytechnic Gateway Complex.
The labs expand an international partnership announced in October 2025 to strengthen workforce development and prepare students for careers in advanced smart manufacturing.
Purdue is engaged in a five-year collaboration as the primary U.S. academic research partner within the Rittal + Eplan Partner Network. The collaboration reflects Rittal and Eplan’s broader commitment to strengthening education with technologies and integrated workflows increasingly used across industry.
Developed through a collaboration between Purdue Polytechnic Institute and Rittal and Eplan, Germany-based Friedhelm Loh Group, the experiential, project-based facilities bring industry expertise and engineering technology into Purdue’s learning environment while creating a pipeline of skilled talent.
“The Rittal and Eplan labs present unique environments where Purdue students can develop hands-on experience with tools and processes that are critical to a vast array of tech-focused industries,” said Daniel Castro, dean of Purdue Polytechnic Institute. “Purdue Polytechnic has always focused on practical learning and problem-solving skills as we prepare the next generation of job-ready talent. Integrating Rittal and Eplan into our curriculum gives our students insight into a seamless path from design to production.”
Central to Purdue University’s School of Engineering Technology, the two dedicated labs — the Eplan Electrical Engineering Technology Projects Lab and the Rittal Automation Systems Lab — give engineering technology students opportunities to conduct studies and develop hands-on experience with tools, technologies and processes used throughout industry.
The Eplan lab focuses on computer-aided engineering and electrical design, while the Rittal lab gives students experiential training with physical infrastructure, including industrial enclosures, power distribution systems and automation hardware.
By bringing these capabilities into a connected learning environment, students can experience how digital engineering connects with physical infrastructure and automated manufacturing, from electrical design and documentation through system configuration, assembly and production. This integrated approach mirrors how manufacturers are increasingly connecting engineering and production to improve efficiency, standardization and scalability – while providing students with industry-relevant skills applicable across major American industries, including automotive aerospace and manufacturing.
“Industry is changing rapidly, and the next generation of engineers need more than an understanding of individual technologies. They need to understand how engineering and manufacturing work together,” said Sabastian Seitz, chief executive officer, Eplan. That is what makes our partnership with Purdue so important. Giving students the opportunity to learn in an environment that reflects the realities of modern industry will help them enter the workforce ready to contribute, innovate and lead. We’re not simply investing in two labs; we’re investing in the engineers who will shape the future of American manufacturing.”
As the primary U.S. academic research partner within the Rittal + Eplan Partner Networks, Purdue’s collaboration with the companies expands beyond the two labs. The partnership also includes plans for scholarships, internships, workforce development opportunities and joint research and development initiatives.
https://www.rittal.com/us-en_US/News/Purdue-expands-partnership-with-Rittal-and-Eplan
