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The market for high-end flow meters continues to show strong growth. To keep pace, Endress-Hauser Flowtec AG has re-extended its plant in Cernay, Alsace. "With an additional 10,000 square metres of production space, we are consolidating the Cernay site in a sustainable way," says director Bernd-Josef Schofer.
Recently, the leading manufacturer in the international market of flow meters is also producing vortex flow meters at its Cernay site. In addition, the manufacture of electromagnetic flow meters and their measuring tubes of up to 2.4 meters requires more and more space. "That's why we acquired a production workshop right next to our site," explains Bernd-Josef Schofer. A total of 4.2 million euros were invested in the purchase and transformation of the 9,000 square metres of useful space in the workshop.
To solve the space problems of an existing production line, an additional $1.2 million has been invested for the construction of a new building of approximately 1,000 square meters. "With this new building, we can produce in very large quantities and more efficiently delineate our manufacturing processes," explains Matthias Aschberger, the cernay plant manager. The new building was equipped with specific loading ramps for transport trucks.
The new production site in Cernay opened its doors on 23 October 2015. It was solemnly inaugurated in the presence of Matthias Altendorf, head of the Endress-Hauser group, Klaus Endress, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Bernd-Josef Schofer, Director of Endress-Hausertec Flowtec AG. Many representatives of politics and the economy attended the inauguration as guests of honour, such as Daniel Mérignargues, Deputy Prefect of Thann-Guebwiller, Michel Sordi, Deputy Mayor of Cernay, Jean-Paul Omeyer, Vice-President of the Alsace Region, Raphael Schellenberger, Upper Rhine Departmental Councillor, Annick Lutenbacher, Upper Rhine
Steady growth since 1991
For several decades, the demand for high-end flow meters has remained at a constant level. Indeed, the huge quantities of liquids transported daily through the pipes must be recorded, measured and billed accurately. Around the world, legal provisions impose ever stricter quality criteria in this area. For several years, Endress-Hauser had been considering a plan to substantially expand its production area in Cernay. The plant, established in 1991, had 16 employees in its infancy. Today, it employs more than 360 people.
More efficient production processes
In addition to expanding the production area, the company has also restructured a production line to increase its performance. The assembly processes are organized in a more rational way and unnecessary transfers of materials between the different workstations are avoided. Expensive machines and means of operation are thus used more efficiently.
Integration of the ESAT insertion workshop
In Cernay, Endress-Hauser has been working with the ESAT insertion workshop for many years. ESAT workers perform external subcontractor tasks, such as pre-mounting small parts and prefabricating cases or packaging work. "Our experience has shown that people with disabilities provide high quality work," says Matthias Aschberger. For logistical reasons, these workstations are now integrated into the expanded production. "This significantly reduces journeys and increases the flexibility of work processes," says the plant manager. Every morning, up to twelve workers from the ESAT insertion workshop take the bus to the Endress-Hauser production site in Cernay.
Find out more: https://www.fr.endress.com/fr
