Siempelkamp delivers more short-cycle presses to Ukraine

Aug 21, 2006. /Lesprom Network/. The Kharkov region of Ukraine has just seen the startup of a new Siempelkamp short-cycle laminating plant for KronoInvest. A subsidiary of Krono Holding AG based in Lucerne, Switzerland, KronoInvest SP Z.O.O., of Zary in Poland, took over a wood processing combine at the site which has now been completely re-modernized. One of the first moves was to place an order with Siempelkamp Handling Systems GmbH in Krefeld/Germany for the construction of a short-cycle press range. The press will laminate particle board produced at the factory on site with paper impregnated with melamine resin. The finished board will be supplied to the furniture industry. The plant is equipped with Siempelkamp’s proven inline paper-laying system and will laminate boards in a 2070 x 2800mm format. The 2200 x 5700mm hot platen format press has a capacity of 150 pressings per hour with a two-board operation and is expected to achieve 10-12 million square meters of laminated board per year, based on three shifts. Construction began at the start of April 2006, startup of the press range commenced in June and the first board was produced on July 6, 2006. This incredibly fast lead time was the result of a strategy of careful pre-assembly as well as first-class cooperation with the customer’s staff on site. The press stands in a newly erected hall, which drives forward the transformation of the site in Greater Kharkov – also home to a large number of furniture factories - into a central location for the laminating sector. This order was the fourth short-cycle press range to be completed by Siempelkamp in Ukraine for the Swiss Krono Group in only two years.