Strength in a group COLOREX Group

STRENGTH IN A GROUP

COLOREX Group of Poland is a leading supplier of powder coating services to a wide range of customers. Launched in 1990, when the business first focused on services for the construction industry, the company opened its first Powder Technology Centre in Kraków in 1992. Today the Group is made up of nine individual business entities, which together make up a holding capable of meeting all challenges and customer demands. Piotr Sadowski reports.

When Jacek Figiel started his business operations, the beginnings were humble. Nevertheless, driven by the opportunities opening up on the Polish market following the change of the economic and political system in 1989, Mr Figiel quickly began expanding his enterprise. “When I opened the Powder Technology Centre in Kraków in 1992, it was not only the first such business in the city, but effectively in the whole of Poland,” explains the company’s founder and now president of the Group. “Today we employ 350 staff across all the companies in COLOREX Group, with the powder coating business employing directly 200 of them. Employment is increasing, as is our turnover. We operate 14 modern lacquering lines and are able to varnish elements even up to 15 metres in length. This is a service offer which gives us a strong competitive advantage in the entire southern part of Poland, a natural for our operations.”

Major operations in powder coating

The Powder Technology Centre, launched in 1992, underwent a name change in 2007 and since then operates under the name of COLOREX Play. It specialises in lacquering steel and aluminium elements, as well as providing renovation services for steel and aluminium wheel rims. Seven years before the name change, a second powder coating company was added to the Group: in 2000, Mr Figiel launched the operations of ABC COLOREX Ltd, an ultra-modern powder coating facility which today ensures that the over two decades of industry experience guarantee the provision of lacquering services worthy of the 21st century. Right now a new investment is underway, with PLN 5.6 million of EU co-financing, which will result in the launch of a new automated powder coating facility, the only such lacquering unit in the country.

“We have implemented the most modern technologies in our powder coating lines,” says Mr Figiel. “The company has secured the ISO quality certificate, as well as the European QUALICOAT quality mark, which is one the key registered European trademarks for companies operating in the lacquering industry. It effectively means that we can guarantee the highest quality of products, particularly the quality of decorative coatings on aluminium elements used in the construction industry. For example, we were the providers of powder coating services for elements used in erecting the football stadium in Wrocław, in time for Euro 2012 championships. We are also actively involved in offering powder coating services for other industries, including electro-technical, advertising, as well as wherever there is a need for powder-coated elements.”

In addition to providing services to the above-mentioned sectors, ABC COLOREX is a renowned supplier of powder coating services to the automotive sector, equipped with the required powder-coating certification for supplies to this industry. “Suppliers for the automotive sector continue to increase their presence in Poland and we are very open to cooperation with such business partners,” points out Mr Figiel. “Poland is still a relatively cheap market for locating manufacturing from the point of view of the labour force, thus making the country still an attractive destination for foreign investors, in many different sectors. We are a Group that is not afraid to undertake any challenges and are interested in talking to potential new western partners moving into Poland.”

Being a leading innovator in the powder coating services sector, the company has introduced a cutting-edge novel powder coating technology called DEKOR. It involves transplanting a chosen design (pigment from film), in a process of sublimation, to a surface

previously coated with a polyurethane powder lacquer. The resulting effect is a lasting and highly aesthetic coating which can imitate wood (such as pine, mahogany, oak, beech and others), stone (marble, granite, just to mention some effects) or any other design which can be chosen from a wideranging palette.

In addition to providing excellent powder coating services, ABC COLOREX is also one of the most dynamically developing companies providing complex metal treatment services. The company operates a high-quality metal treatment unit with unusually high, for the Polish market, output capabilities. Vital experience as well as a professional machine park, both conventional as well as CNC, enable ABC COLOREX to carry out all types of services involving treatment of metal sheets, as well as ready elements, in accordance with supplied requirements of projects. Metal treatment services include laser cutting (with the actual area of working laser coverage of 3000mm x 1500mm) of metal sheets up to the thickness of 20mm (construction steel); folding of metal sheets on edge presses up to the thickness of 10mm and on benders up to the length of 6000mm; cutting of metal sheets to required sizes using guillotines, up to the length of 6000mm; welding (MIG/TIG), riveting, gluing; rolling of metal sheets and profiles; grinding, milling and other services. Cutting can also be done on aluminium # 8mm and stainless steel # 12mm.

“The advantages of laser cutting are very important and include the possibility to achieve high speed of cutting while retaining excellent precision and accuracy of cutting,” explains Mr Figiel. “Furthermore, laser cutting guarantees repeatability and high quality of elements being cut; it results in a smooth and clean cutting surface, which means there is no need for further finishing treatment, as well as resulting in low waste of material. By combining our metal treatment services with powder coating and services offered by other companies in the COLOREX Group, we can supply our customers with both half-products, as well as components ready for assembling.”

Modern Technology, Know-how, Commitment... ...are the components that determine success – today and in the future.

KLEBCHEMIE M. G. Becker GmbH & Co. KG, producer of KLEIBERIT products – modern and innovative. The company’s competence is especially reflected in the tremendous development and productivity in PUR-adhesives, which is why KLEIBERIT products have become market leaders in this future technology sector – worldwide!

In our modern laboratories, experienced, innovative and highly qualified chemists develop high quality products in accordance to customer requirements. Emphasis is placed on the development of environmentally friendly and ecologically clean adhesives.

Our applications laboratory has an extensive range of machinery, so our skilled technicians and engineers are able to conduct tests under “real life” conditions.

The combination of our inbound quality control, production quality control and constant product development ensures that our customers will only receive quality products.

KLEIBERIT products are being used worldwide by many well known companies in the woodworking, plastics and automotive industries.

• PUR-Adhesive: One and two components • PUR-Hotmelts, PUR-Glue • Dispersions: PUR, EVA, PVAC • Hotmelts: PUR, EVA, PO, PA, PE • Two component PUR and Epoxy Systems • Foams and Sealing Compounds • Solvent based Adhesives

Working internally and in the field, our highly motivated employees always provide the best customer service through excellent customer care, high quality technical assistance, fast order processing, and quick, worldwide delivery.

Collection Futura is a range of special fi nishes for use on exterior architectural metal components. A favourite of architects for over 15 years, Collection Futura has been specified on numerous prestigious projects. Together with PeclersParis we have created 5 global themes and fi nishes inspired by nature.

Finishes shown on this card are made with AkzoNobel’s Interpon D2525 technology. Interpon D2525 is an ultra durable powder coating, which meets the demanding weathering requirements of the leading industry specifications Qualicoat Class 2, GSB Master, and AAMA 2604-05, as well as BS EN 12206.

Collection Futura means your design will be both contemporary and long-lasting, keeping its stylish visage for many years to come.

When specifying or ordering, ensure you include the full product designation, e.g. Product: Interpon D2525; Shade: Halamhera 2525, Product Code: YW052F.

For further information, please contact. Projects: Malwina Krosta - Specification Advisor – Buildings & Furniture +48 605 109 704 / malwina.krosta@akzonobel.com Sales: Mariusz Popielecki - Account Manager - Buildings & Furniture, Poland +48 785 016 902 / mariusz.popielecki@akzonobel.com

Inver Polska Sp z.o.o.

Inver Poland, a part of the Italian group named Inver, manufactures powder coatings.

The thermosetting powders are coatings in solid form; they do not release solvents during application. They are not flammable, have no special restrictions for transport, can be stored simply and safely. They are ready for use and give a high coverage. The overspray can be recovered.

The company’s production range includes various types of powder coatings: heat hardened powder coatings based on polyesters, for external use, epoxypolyesters for internal use, epoxy for special internal use, and polyurethane, with a wide range of shades and levels of brilliance.

Range of other services

Certainly a major strength of COLOREX Group lies in the fact that the various companies provide a range of complementary services or, indeed, products. Customers can have a project, which would normally require the use of two or more suppliers, delivered by entities in the Group – guaranteeing uniform quality, reliability and timeliness. “For example, COLOREX LIFT designs a range of passenger lifts, many of them non-standard, such as for use in hospitals or the construction industry,” says Mr Figiel. “We are then able to install them and of course provide excellent after-service. Naturally, lift elements can be appropriately powder coated, according to customers’ requirements, which is an example of complementarity of the companies in the Group. We have delivered many unique and often complicated lift solutions for customers in the country.”

The Group’s cooperation with its key suppliers also plays a huge role in its continued success. It has well-established relationships with some major names, including AkzoNobel, Decoral, Inver Poland and Axalta Coating Systems.

From the outset of the Group’s activities, it has also been involved in the manufacturing of fencing, an operation which in 2007 was transferred to a new dedicated company within the Group, the Fencing Factory COLOREX Ltd. The factory employs modern technologies and specialist staff to provide fencing solutions for a wide range of properties, private, housing, municipal, sports facilities and others. All solutions can be naturally appropriately powder coated.

“Continuing the provision of services for the construction industry, KOLTEX, another company, was created as one of the first veneering facility in Poland, offering the highest quality services of refining PVC, aluminium and steel profiles with a range of wood-imitating Renolit EXOFOL foils, as well as glues from renowned company Kleiberit,” concludes Mr Figiel. “Our aim is to continue moving forward and to develop all of our companies, focusing on improvements, innovations and cost savings, as has been the case with the recent introduction of an integrated management system. We will also potentially fill other market niches, as we did with the launch of a company manufacturing appliances for the production of mineral water for homes and businesses, which can produce hot, still or sparkling water, on demand, from the same unit.” n