Clear vision Lahti Precision

CLEAR VISION

Lahti Precision is a market leader and a specialist in the development and manufacture of bulk handling systems for a broad range of industries. Philip Yorke talked to Roberto Quintero, the company’s deputy managing director and head of the Project Business, about its increasing focus on the hollow glass industry and move into new markets.

Lahti Precision was founded in Finland in 1914 when it established a workshop to manufacture scales. Over the last 100 years Lahti Precision has grown into a leading global expert in the bulk handling and processing of powder-based products, as well as many other materials.

Today the core products developed and manufactured by Lahti Precision include dosing and weighing equipment, as well as systems and plants designed and manufactured for a broad range of customers across the process industry.

Unrivalled accuracy

Since its foundation, accuracy has been key to Lahti Precision’s success and it continues to upgrade and innovate so that customers can be sure they are always receiving the best possible dosing, weighing and mixing. The company offers strong mixing technology and automation and electrification to ensure that the whole supply chain adds value for its customers. Its industrial weighing division is focused on providing highly accurate, tailored weighing and dosing solutions for a multitude of industries including materials handling, mining, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals and pulp and paper.

Broad product offering

Lahti Precision operates two major business units: Project Business and Service & Industrial weighing. The Project Business is dedicated to service distinct industries and customer segments as it relates to bulk materials handling, industrial dosing and weighing and all other industry-specific processes. Lahti’s core expertise also lies in its industry-specific process knowledge and design, plant design and automation, as well as in engineering and project management.

The industries that Lahti serves include the glass industry where it provides batch house solutions for projects of all types and sizes, and for all glass sectors. This includes float, container, fibre, wool, pharmaceutical, electronic and other glass types. In dry mix operations the company provides complete factories for producing all types of dry mortars. In addition, it provides services for developing dry mortar product technology, which can involve diverse recipes for clients worldwide.

A third important business sector for Lahti is its OEM business, where it provides exclusively tailor-made products in the field of autoclaved, aerated concrete production plants and metal smelting. When it comes to service and industrial weighing, Lahti offers dedicated sales services to all industries including consultancy and technical services, parts sales and modernisations.

Focus on glass

Lahti Precision has been involved in the glass industry for more than 30 years and today is clearly focused on the hollow glass market. Quintero said, “We are increasingly focused on the hollow glass market and have traditionally been mainly involved with the float and fibre glass segments, where we have achieved a strong market position and brand recognition in a relatively short period of time. Over the years Lahti has served the hollow glass market having numerous references with widely recognised global companies. Given our widely proven technical expertise, we consider the hollow glass segment to be an attractive opportunity for the continued growth of our Project Business.”

Quintero added, “We serve a multitude of industrial sectors; however, if we consider specifically the glass industry, our cus-

tomer base includes most leading global companies as well as regional and local companies. In the recent past our key markets have been North America, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia.”

In relation to the glass industry and Glasstec, Lahti is a leading batch house supplier to all glass sectors, having executed over 200 projects globally. The company has been traditionally focused on the float and fibre segments and certain niche sectors, where quality and performance requirements are of the highest level. However, today the company is placing increased emphasis on serving the growing hollow glass market. Global expansion

As one of the world’s leading suppliers of glass batch and dry mortar plants, and the market leader in the weighing business in Finland, Lahti Precision is globally active. It is expanding worldwide wherever its core markets of glass, dry mix and other industries are demanding accurate weighing and dosing. The company sees a great many opportunities for growth ahead and continues to invest in R&D and new technology. With its long-term strategic partnerships with well-known companies the company is justifiably confident about its future. n

For further details of Lahti Precision’s innovative products and technical services visit: www.lahtiprecision.com