You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
38 3<br />
Projects aimed at making production more flexible – primarily by reducing set-up<br />
times at the welding facility – progressed on schedule. The SAP implementation has been<br />
launched successfully, and will result in a clear improvement in the transparency and quality<br />
of process-related information, and enable customer inquiries to be dealt with even more<br />
quickly.<br />
Alongside the development of new products to build AFG Arbonia-Forster-Holding<br />
AG’s position as an integrated supplier to the construction industry, the division is also work-<br />
ing closely with customers to integrate additional procedures and value-adding processes into<br />
the value chain. Examples include processes for polishing stainless steel window and door<br />
profiles, and stamping and pressing processes for finishing tube components for shutters, to<br />
name but a few. Here synergies with purchasing, production and distribution logistics are<br />
being fully exploited.<br />
Forster Precision Steel<br />
Tubing seeks growth<br />
primarily in the European<br />
automotive sector,<br />
by far the largest market<br />
for high-end precision<br />
steel tubing.<br />
Precision steel tubing for the automotive industry<br />
When it comes to precision steel tubing, Forster’s traditional strength has been tubes for<br />
furniture and shopfitting (trade name WBKV) that are ready for finishing (in most cases<br />
chrome plating). Forster is looking primarily to the European automotive sector, by far the<br />
largest market for high-end precision steel tubing, as a source of substantial growth. To this<br />
end, in recent years the company has laid the necessary foundations through an upgrade to<br />
ISO TS 16949 certification, and technology and process audits from well<br />
known OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and first-tier suppliers<br />
(direct suppliers to OEMs). The implementation of a computer aided<br />
quality assurance (CAQ) system acquired in 2004 was successfully completed<br />
by the end of 2005, and now all quality management functions<br />
from quality planning and risk management (failure modes and effects<br />
analysis or FMEA) to statistical quality controls and complaints handling<br />
are computer aided from start to finish. Efforts to grow the tubing business<br />
are based on a substitution strategy involving the replacement of<br />
expensive tubing applications with more cost-effective tubing solutions<br />
offering customers the same benefits. The most important of these is to<br />
substitute custom-rolled, welded tubes for cold-drawn tubing. Samples<br />
of a whole series of substitute products for steering, chassis and drive train systems have already<br />
been successfully produced, and some have been mass-produced and delivered.
Change language