16 Brand & markets <strong>AHEAD</strong> Issue 02.2012 poSITIvE SIGNALS FroM SoUTHErN EUropEAN MArKETS Stories about the worrying situation in southern european countries dominate our media headlines on a daily basis. but there is another way. despite the difficult economic situation, there is encouraging news from the real economy, especially from the plastics industry. Classic holiday countries offer more than just sun, sea, and sand. The following examples are certainly impressive. TexT: MaRKuS beTSCHe SoUTHErN EUropE Classic holiday countries offer more than just sun, sea, and sand.
KraussMaffei Brand & markets ITaly’S PlaSTICS PRoCeSSoRS aT THe PlaST 2012 TRade faIR THrEE SUccESS STorIES This year’s Plast 2012 trade fair provided a good opportunity to cast an eye over the Italian plastic processing industry. We have taken a closer look at three Italian manufacturers of injection molded parts for the automotive and domestic appliance industries who have benefited from KraussMaffei’s expertise in energysaving, premiumquality investment casting solutions and advanced integrated processing technology. Cromaplast srl has its headquarters in Valdagno in the province of Vicenza, where it employs 140 staff and in 2011, achieved an estimated turnover of 16 million euros with the manufacture of chrome-plated automotive molded parts. All of the company’s ten injection molding machines are units with hydraulic drive provided by KraussMaffei. Their machinery includes one machine each with 65, 120, 200, and 300 tons of clamping force, four with 420 tons and two with 650. Most of the KraussMaffei machines were introduced as part of a machinery modernization program in 2010. The last four Italian units were replaced by the four KraussMaffei CX machines with 420 tons of clamping force in 2011. According to Managing Director Stefano Tecchio, the grease- and dust-free KraussMaffei machines are optimally suited to meeting tight dimension tolerances and achieving the perfect surface quality that is demanded of automotive molded parts. The parts are chromeplated on production lines with a plating capacity of 1,800 square meters per day. Plast3 srl in Fiume Veneto in the province of Pordenone is one of the three injection molding companies of the Pezzutti Group. The group employs 150 staff and possesses 140 injection molding machines. In 2011, their turnover achieved an estimated 42 million euros. At Plast3, 30 employees work on 23 injection molding machines. The company operates with four KraussMaffei machines: one MX 850-12000 and now three C2 machines with 420 tons of clamping force, the last of which was not acquired until 2012. All machines are equipped with robots from KraussMaffei. A KraussMaffei C2 420-3500 molds transparent red and white, rectangular carry boxes made of recycled PET for the furniture manufacturer IKEA. To qualify as a supplier at IKEA, KraussMaffei’s “Blue Power” energy saving procedures, such as cylinder insulation and short cycle times, were a decisive contributory factor, because in this case, ecological aspects and a low level of CO 2 emission played a special role, reports Managing Partner Ivano Castelli. Another product, which is manufactured with a Krauss- Maffei 420-ton machine, is a one-piece child seat insert made of PET. A highly integrated, 60 percent glass-fiberreinforced polyamide part manufactured with an 850-ton MX type machine is used as a component in textile machines. In this case, it was possible for the temperature of the compound to be reduced by 40 degrees through the use of a KraussMaffei HPS highperformance screw. As a result, Plast3 was able to dispense with a master batch charged with micro balls. This was previously necessary in order to achieve a better flow rate and the high level of dimensional accuracy required, as well as an aesthetically pleasing, uniformly colored surface. Sole, a manufacturer of automotive molded parts founded in 1964 with its headquarters in Oderzo (region of Veneto, province of Treviso) is part of the Gruppo Prima. The company has an eventful history. It passed from Zanussi (1973) to Electrolux and Gränges with Plastal, and entered insolvency in 2009. QUALITy GUArANTEE KraussMaffei Cx 200750 with a linear robot from KraussMaffei at Cromaplast In 2010, Plastal was taken over by the Gruppo Prima and re-assumed its original name, Sole SpA. With around 740 employees, Sole achieved an estimated turnover of 183 million euros in 2011. The eleven Italian companies in Italy and the five European non-domestic factories of Gruppo Prima probably turned over 343 million euros in 2011. The large-scale factories in Oderzo and Suzzara (three injection molding machines up to 3,000 tons in Suzzara) are supported by German firms in Ulm (assembly) and Wörth (four KraussMaffei machines). In Oderzo, Sole uses 50 injection molding machines from various leading 17 ContinuEd on pagE 18
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