Lübbecke. With great interest around 130 participants from the North of Germany joined the presentation of possibilities for the use and processing of lightweight panels. Companies Thermopal and IMA Klessmann GmbH invited to the „lightweight-workshop” in the headquarter in Lübbecke – Thermopal as a manufacturer of panels; IMA as specialist for wood processing machinery. „Lightweight construction has become indispensable for the daily work in industry and small trade“, said IMA-project manager Daniel Joachimmeyer.

 

In fact lightweight construction has many advantages and can be used for classic furniture construction, booth construction and shop fitting, but also for shipbuilding, caravan and vehicle construction. Due to the low weight, the continuous improvement in stability and freedom of scope lightweight materials are also used in theatres for stage design, as well as for object construction. Beside the consolidated theory transfer of the companies participating in the workshop - in addition to IMA and Thermopal also the companies Rehau (edging material), Hettich (dowels, fittings), Jowat (glue) and Leitz (tooling) - participants were able to become acquainted with the advantages of this construction method under expert advice. „For many practitioners from the sectors small trade and industry the workshop opened up completely new vistas for their daily work“, said Walter Engeser, lightweight expert at company Thermopal.

 

Working with lightweight materials requires a new way of thinking regarding machining of edging materials, fittings and the right gluing method. There are speculative applications for lightweight materials in nearly any sector. For example for the automotive-, aircraft- and train-construction leightweight panels would contribute to a considerable weight reduction and consequently to a conservation of energy and emissions. Similar advantages could be achievable for booth construction, but also for the production of office, living room and kitchen furniture

It is already known that a company is only as good as the products it produces. And it is also no secret that the purchase of a machine is the begin of a mostly long cooperative relationship between customer and supplier. But what is usually considered to be service, support and after-sales-service does not always satisfy the requirements of the customer. IMA established the department service to meet these high expectations. Under the management of Andreas Rudolf 120 colleagues in the head office and the 9 international sales and service offices are worldwide taking care of IMA customers. „Beside usual service activities such as the elimination of machine breakdowns, repairs and supply of spare parts further activities make sense for the predictable and economic operation of machines and plants: This for example include preventive maintenance work to ensure high technical availability or modernisation of older machines to extent the life cycle respectively to increase performance“, said Andreas Rudolf. With worldwide training opportunities the IMA-service team ensures that operation and maintenance staff on site are skilled adequately.

To be able to present the extensive service activities fast and precisely the team developed an own, clear service brochure. Like a first-aid-kid it names the appropriate contact person for any requirement or question. „Our challenge is to offer worldwide competent service to our customers“, said Andreas Rudolf. To be reached easily and fast availability are the key words of the service team. The reader finds contact data for immediate aid by phone, remote maintenance of complex lines, quick availability of spare parts as well as inspection on few pages with a clear and appealing design. Because after all maintenance, repair or retrofitting have to be accomplished quickly and effectively. Only with a high technical availability production can be efficient. „With this service package we clearly demonstrate to our customers that they can not only trust in us as a specialist for wood processing machinery but also for subsequent individual support by skilled service technicians on site and in the headquarter in Lübbecke“, resumes Andreas Rudolf the intention of his tasks.

Lübbecke. To be able to meet fast-growing market requirements in Russia optimally, Lübbecke-based specialist for complex wood processing machines – IMA Klessmann GmbH – established a sales and service branch with 10 employees in Moscow beginning of July.

Until then sales and service activities in Russia and the former GUS companies were organised by the IMA headquarter in Lübbecke. In recent years about 300 machines have been installed in Russia and bordering countries. According to the „Federal Statistical Office“ the Russian furniture market grew by 31 percent in 2007 alone. „For us the rapid market development in Russia was the go sign to concentrate activities in Russia and to reorganise them“, said sales manager Markus von Reden. „We want to serve our customers promptly with our local staff.

Especially in territorial states like Russia with economic regions being a long way away from each other it is important to give customers qualified sales and service support promptly. At the same time we want to further enhance  previous cooperation with our Russian sales partners.“ According to Markus von Reden, the demand of wood processing machines and lines is continuously increasing. About 6,000 manufacturers in the furniture sector represent a big potential for IMA Russia. „In Russia the brand IMA is already known. Therefore it is important to offer our services  directly from Russia in future”, said sales manager von Reden