Sustaining growth Andritz

SUSTAINING GROWTH

Tiszakécske in Hungary is home to Andritz Kft, a world-class factory that specializes in producing components for the electrical power industry. In recent years the company has invested, improved, refined and developed its operations and products to maintain and build on its reputation as Edina Beale discovers.

Andritz Kft became part of the Andritz Group based in Graz, Austria, in 2007. Since the takeover, the Hungarian subsidiary has developed to be a vital member of the globally operating Andritz group. The group is a leading producer of plant equipment, and services for hydropower stations, steel and metalworking industries and the pulp and paper industry; but also engages in a number of other activities including the development of equipment used to produce energy from renewable sources.

Since 2011 Andritz Kft has maintained an ongoing program to develop its products and increase its staff levels whilst maintaining its reputation for quality and innovation. In addition the company has made considerable investments in new equipment to support these objectives including a new drilling and milling machine, valued at 3 million Euro, with dimensions of 24m x 6m, which is unique in Hungary and demonstrates the company’s determination to continue to meet its customers high expectations. A new rolling machine has also been added to the inventory at a cost of 1.5 million Euro.

The company has a turnover of 33 million Euro per annum which is an increase on the 30 million Euro turnover in 2011. Where many companies have been losing staff over recent years, Andritz Kft has been taking on new employees to meet the increasing demands of the industries it serves.

The increase in staff numbers and new equipment has meant that space was at a premium. The company has addressed this problem by building a new, modern office block, that provides pleasant office accommodation for 100 staff and shower and locker facilities for an additional 400 workers.

Mr Károly Mezei, the managing director of Andritz Kft, has firm views on why the company holds its current position and how they have managed to expand whilst maintaining the highest levels of quality. “We have no rivals in Hungary but the key to maintaining our competence is to make continuous investments to improve our technology and to extend our product profile as well as providing advanced specialist training for our staff.”

New Products

This philosophy of highly trained, professional staff, combined with technological know how and investment has led to the development of

new products and improvements to existing product lines. In 2011 the Yankee Dryer Cylinder with welded structures was state of the art, new technology. Three years on and still only the Hungarian Andritz manufacturing plant is capable of producing this specialist equipment. In recent times the company has also developed a number of new and exciting products. The Hungarian factory now offers a wider range of water generators and their component parts. The company has also delivered a 12-meter dimension housing for generators. Other achievements include developing the field of housing generators and the manufacture of new gas cooled GE generators housings.

The company has well established trading partners and exports all of its goods. Machinery and components for the hydroelectric and paper industries still dominate output. Whilst most products are exported to Austria, Finland, Italy, Germany and Switzerland the company is now gaining a worldwide footprint through its products for GE.

Building on its recent success the company is seeking to introduce additional specialist equipment including a Vertical Turning

and Milling machine with a 6 meter diameter and a 4 meter height processing ability.

Andritz Kft has learnt from previous experience and understands that along with new technology and machinery there is a need to develop the company infrastructure. Constantly reviewing the infrastructure, identifying areas where there is room for improvement and ensuring that the business is in a robust position to meet the stringent requirements of its customers are key components of its success.

Boosting output

Mr Károly Mezei is clear about the future. “Our short term objective is to meet the demands of the Andritz Group by supplying our products for them and to achieve 500.000 – 600,000 hour per year productivity. On the long term our goal is to increase this rate to 800,000 hours per year. However, this can only be achieved by continuous staff training and development.”

What is clear is that Andritz Kft has taken the decision to continue to explore new markets and develop new products that meet customers needs and expectations. The company also understands the need to develop professional and highly trained staff to meet the challenges of successfully integrating new equipment and technologies. All this is supported by a flexible approach to the existing infrastructure thus ensuring that all new measures are able to be incorporated, quickly, efficiently and reliably.

Andritz Kft has established itself as a leading supplier of quality goods to the world market. The company’s ambitious plans to increase productivity and meet the demands of the Andritz Group clearly demonstrates the commitment of Andritz Kft to continued success. n

Szolnok, Tiszakécske, Törökszantmiklós Grinding, drilling and dressing tools.

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www.tyrolit.com

One of the world’s largest producers of grinding, cutting, sawing, drilling and dressing tools as well as a provider of tools and machines.

Services and Industries: • metal / precision • construction • stone / ceramics / glass • trade Iron-Fém Trade Ltd is predominantly engaged in supplying steel plates, however, we are also able to provide stainless steel products and non-ferrous metals at short notice. Our aim is to completely satisfy the needs of our customers and to meet their expectations.

Even requests for extra sizes and unusual qualities are no problem. Our plant is situated in Dunakeszi; on a 13000 m2 area we constantly stock nearly 3000 tonnes of products. Drawn and stainless steel products are stored in our covered warehouse facilities.

www.ironfem.hu

Plant address: 2120 Dunakeszi, Belterület 8029 hrsz. Headquarters address: 1044 Bp., Nagyszombati u. 5. Postal address: 1550 Bp. Pf.:21 Adrienne Fejes: +36 209 669 614; ironfem@gmail.com Gergely Szabó: +36 209 669 394; gergely.szabo@ironfem.hu Phone: +36 27 351 747 Fax: +36 27 351 812