Product category:
Manufacturing orders, contracts, financial reports
News Release from: Kennametal UK
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 March 2007
Demand for solid carbide drills grows
To cope with the high growth rates in the drilling business, Kennametal's German Vohenstrauss plant - producing solid carbide products for drilling and boring - has invested EUR 4 million.
Kennametal is targeted for growth around the world and does not diverge from in its commitment to Germany as a production location The Vohenstrauss plant, renowned for its production of solid carbide products for drilling and boring, increased number of employees by more than 100 within the last year, introduced the six day production week and invested more than EUR 4,020,000 in new equipment
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 30 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Micro tooling system speeds up auto lathe changes
Quick-change tooling system for automatic lathes, featured in the "Micro Machining Tools" catalogue, has achieved time savings of up to 40% and can be used in turning and boring operations.
Modular drill can be changed in the machine
Modular high-performance drill, that can be changed while in the machine, adds value by reducing machining time and down-time in drilling operations.
These investments had become urgent to keep up with the above-average growth rates in the drilling business in recent years.
Especially the demand for modular solid carbide drills like KSEM and KenTIP has grown out of all proportions and no end to the boom is in sight.
The production rate for KenTIP could be quadrupled in the last two years and that for KSEM was doubled.
Further reading
Face milling system is cost-efficient
Face milling system is a cost-efficient option for machining steel and cast iron materials, such as grey iron, ductile and vermicular graphite cast irons
Mould and die production partnership benefits
Mould and die production imposes special demands, which have to be met by the machine and tooling, as well as by CAD/CAM and CNC systems - and are now being met by Competence Centre partnership.
Coated carbide increases milling cutter life
MTCVD multilayer coated carbide milling grades enable users to increase tool life by up to 30% for the medium to heavy machining of steel, VA steel and nodular cast iron.
This goes in accordance with a stronger demand for modular precision tools.
A total of 10,000 drills are shipped from the Vohenstrauss plant every day.
To achieve even higher customer satisfaction Kennametal and, most importantly, the plant's workforce implemented numerous innovative solutions.
Since early 2006 the 'Customer help line' for solid carbide drills, in particular specials, has been established which is intensively used, especially for key accounts: Any time there is a risk of a production breakdown at the customer's site or an ex- traordinary, short-term demand for drills, a call to the help line will ensure shipment within five days.
It is the optimized 'lean production - from order intake to shipment' that makes this kind of delivery service possible.
Customers are also using this service more intensively for testing new tools.
Kennametal employs a workforce of over 1,000 persons, which makes the company one of the major employers in Upper Palatinate.
In addition, there are almost 200 temporary workers to respond flexibly to fluctuations in production.
Many of these workers were taken on in permanent employment in recent years.
Vohenstrauss is Kennametal's largest facility in Upper Palatinate, employing 340 workers and about 60 apprentices.
The Vohenstrauss facility offers training for industrial mechanics or mechanics-electronics experts to its apprentices.
The Nabburg plant, employing about 300, is specialized in the production of tool holders and custom solutions.
The Rubig subsidiary, also located in Nabburg, employs about 290 workers to manufacture rotation-symmetrical drilling and milling tools.
The lean concept rooted in the Kennametal Value Business System (KVBS) has be- come firmly established at all levels and in all areas.
Production and administrative processes are permanently improved for the benefit of the customer.
All facilities in Upper Palatinate have already achieved TPM level 4 and are currently working on level 5 which will be attained next year.
Total Production Maintenance (TPM) means the efficient use of plant, human resources, materials, and energy to achieve maximum production.
Kennametal's TPM concept consists of seven levels and equally covers manufacturing and administrative functions, it has been intro- duced at most German locations.
• Kennametal UK: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Manufacturingtalk email newsletter
• Manufacturingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
