Going for green Hajdu

GOING FOR GREEN

In the past decade Hajdu, Hungary’s best-known manufacturer of household goods, has began to shift towards the renewable energy segment to meet the current trends. In the past four years the company has made significant technological investments and launched many innovative energy-saving products. Edina Beale reports.

Founded in 1952, the formerly state-owned Hajdu company has established a strong brand and became a household name in Hungary in the mid 1970s by supplying reliable automatic washing machines and spin dryers. Since then the company has continued to manufacture its traditional line of products and has continuously extended its portfolio with a wide variety of water-heating appliances including electric and gas-fired water heaters. In 2006 the company turned its main focus to the renewable energy market and established a new division to develop new products for this sector. Hajdu Ipari Zrt began to supply solar systems and condensing gas-fired boilers in addition to maintaining its traditional markets.

In 2008 the company started a two-year investment project. The aim of the 780 million HUF investment was to develop and install new technologies required to manufacture new products including indirect tanks and products for the renewable energy sector as well as increasing efficiency. This also involved the development of the full production processes and the implementation of new machinery including laser cutting equipment, coil producer and welding robot. In addition, the company has invested in improving its IT structure, staff training and marketing.

Owing to the new developments, in 2010 Hajdu introduced a new buffer tank and solid fuel boiler to the market and in 2011 launched its new heat pump boiler. In addition to its long list of renewable energy system components the firm today also offers planning, installation and financing services

provided by its recently established network of specialised subcontractors.

As a result of the new green focus, last year Hajdu Ipari Zrt achieved a 7.3 billion HUF turnover while also increasing its number of employees to a total of 488. Managing director, Mr István Novotni revealed, that the company is currently involved in a test production of a newly developed heating pump based on a Swiss licence and sees further opportunities for growth in the development and manufacture of complete renewable systems especially in the domestic market. He adds, “I hope that by this time we have managed to deliver a breakthrough that Hajdu is now not primarily known as a washing machine and electric boiler manufacturer but as an innovative, environment-conscious company with a renewable energy focus. To maintain competitiveness continuous product development and site development is crucial. Currently we employ 49 staff with higher education degree, from which 26 are engineers. However, we believe we are still in a need of further developments primarily in the area of technologies.”

Hajdu Ipari Centre

Another important part of the company’s activities is the Ipari Centre, located in Téglás, Hungary and housing Hajdu Infrastruktúra Plc and many other companies. This industrial park contains the entire range of infrastructural and other additional services available from the Hajdu, including public utilities, industrial railway, non-stop security service, reception with weigh bridge, offices, storage and production buildings for rent.

Hajdu is always looking for new companies to set up base in the park, where they can benefit from the most sophisticated electric power, heating, water, sewage and telecommunication systems. The location of the park is advantageous as it is located near to both the Ukrainian and Romanian borders and can be reached by both motorway and rail routes. In addition, Debrecen International Airport is only 21 kilometres from the park.

Diversified operation – automotive supplier

The Hajdu group includes another important manufacturing division, the automotive supplier Hajdu Autotechnika Ipari Zrt, which began its operation during the 1990s. In recent months the company has increased its turnover significantly and expects sales of 5.1 billion HUF this year. From its largest customer – the French company Faurecia – Hajdu installed a new metal processing work machine last year which produces exhaust system parts built into the biggest auto brands including various Porsche models. The company had to make significant technological investments including the purchase of new CNC work stations in order to meet the increasing product and tooling orders. Two years ago the company has also set up its own tool making unit which proved to be a great investment, as it allows Hajdu to win projects that require firms to develop their own tools to manufacture products. According to the managing director the company plans to spend over 200 million HUF to develop its tool making unit in the very near future.

Continued focus on highquality green products

Thanks to its strong brand and well established products Hajdu has acquired a firm market position in Hungary. Even during the economic crisis the company has successfully maintained its turnover and managed to further increase its market share. In recent years Hajdu has acquired a good reputation in the renewable energy sector and has become a recognized name.

The company received a number of prestigious awards last year: it won the Hungarian Quality Product Award for its innovative buffer tanks while receiving the Hungarian House of Quality award for developing indirect tanks. The firm was also rewarded with the Business Ethnics Award 2010 in the category of large companies. Mr Novotni says:

’we are committed to providing high-quality products and this route has to be pursued without making any compromises.

“The utilisation of renewable energy will grow enormously in the near future – there is no other possibility looking at it either from the environmental protection aspects or from the energy policy point of view; in fact, this has today become a distinctively formulated expectation on behalf of the society. Hajdu is prepared to meet these expectations and aims to join in the energy rationalisation process ahead.” n