Arburg
World-leading plastics processing machine manufacturer Arburg is extending its Eastern European reach and capacity for automation.
The German-born company broke the ground at its Brno site in Czech Republic on July 14th 2014, marking the beginning of a major expansion project that will extend Arburg's Technology Center (ATC) by 565 m sq to over 1,600 m sq. The additional floor space will help the growing business to meet burgeoning demand for automated, customer-specific production cells.
Currently the facility lacks the space for constructing and testing complex systems, therefore it was decided in 2013 that the decade-old Brno site would be extended. The ATC is currently equipped to very high specifications and at present covers 1,050 m sq of usable injection moulding machines, which is dedicated to evaluating moulds, application tests and practical training purposes.
Jaroslav Novak, Arburg Managing Director, explained: "The extended capacities will give us enough space to build, test and optimise three automated production cells. Thus delivery times will be reduced in future too. In addition, our customers will have the opportunity to find out about the current state of the art in automation technology and to witness our expertise in this sector."
He explained that the growing trends for automation and turnkey systems has been monitored by the company for some years, with this side of the business growing at between 10 and 15 per cent annually for some time.
"Since 2005, we are present in the automation business in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and implement turnkey projects as general contractor in cooperation with local suppliers of peripheral equipment," Novak said. "Three out of a total of 28 employees are exclusively responsible for automation solutions and specific production cells. These experts are being supported by additional staff."
The extended Brno site will enhance the facility's well-equipped parts store and will offer the company significant benefits when it is ready for occupation at the beginning of next year.
The expansion of the ATC in Brno is an important milestone in the success story of the Arburg subsidiary, which is responsible for both the Czech and Slovakian markets. Novak has managed the company since its foundation in April 1996 and thanks to his years of experience as a former Arburg trading partner, he is extremely familiar with both markets and brings invaluable expertise to the business operations. He has grown his team from three to 28 in the intervening 18 years, offering customers in the Czech and Slovak Republics first-class, comprehensive support, particularly in the booming automation sector.
