Efficient, sustainable and quiet
“Today, we have one of the most powerful machines on the market.“
Following a thorough selection process, Hans-Peter Kremer, technical developer at Thommen AG is sure that he made the right choice with the fully-automatic channel baling press HSM VK 12018 R FU. The machine from HSM is unbeatable in terms of robustness, efficiency and reliability. However, while searching for a successor to a 20-year-old pre-press flap press, Thommen AG had some surprises.
With eleven sites, Thommen AG is one of the leading recycling companies in Switzerland. The subsidiary Halter Rohstoff AG in Biel collects and compresses pre-pressed cardboard (B19) and loose plastic sheets. Annual volume: 25 000 tons.
Mr Kremer then made contact with HSM after reading about the company in an article in a recycling trade journal. He was “very impressed“ by a visit to the HSM plant in Salem, Lake Constance and saw how high the share of in-house production is at HSM. “Made in Germany“ is very important to the recycler and, especially, to his boss Dr. Tobias Thommen. Also, after having made several reference visits to HSM customers in south Germany, Mr Kremer returned satisfied to the Thommen headquarters in Kaiseraugst near Basel. Among others, he went to a company which has been pressing the entire range of materials in constant alteration with a large-format channel baling press from HSM for seven years without complaint. “I saw how well the machine works under high stress during everyday operation“.
And, during the visits, he was able to “debunk some sales talks“. Market participants had told him that machines with pre-press flaps are indispensable, but the visits showed Hans-Peter Kremer that the cutting edge technology from HSM “works very well“ and that the higher costs of a pre-press flap machine can be saved.
“HSM stands by their product“
Thommen AG did not hesitate in making clear demands on the new machine supplier. It was agreed that the machine would be returned and penalty payments would be due if product promises (throughput, bale weight, electricity consumption, etc.) were not kept. Only HSM was willing to make these promises in writing. Thus, it was clear to Hans-Peter Kremer “that HSM stands by its product and behind the advertised achievements“.
It was precisely these product characteristics, which allowed Thommen AG to finally order the VK 12018 R FU (120-ton pressing force, 180-centimetre filling opening length). It is a long-lasting, robust and efficient system, says Hans-Peter Kremer. The HSM press has low operating costs (electricity, wire) and it runs quietly. In addition, it complies with all current regulations on occupational safety. All this leads to a “very good price-performance ratio“.
There is also an advantage in the logistics: Since the new bales are about 150 kilograms heavier than the old bales with the same bale volume, the trucks can be loaded faster. Kremer said “This reduces warehouse volumes, loading time and overall handling costs“.
More room in the hall
The collaboration with HSM in the project phase right up to acceptance is described by the Swiss recycling company as “professional and passionate“. HSM is fully committed with blood, sweat and tears and is also creative. For example, HSM suggested that the customer in Switzerland change the machine location in the hall when changing to the HSM VK 12018. This resulted in more space for Halter Rohstoff AG.
In the first months after commissioning, the HSM customers in Biel did not experience any serious disruption. Smaller glitches had been fixed quickly, says Kremer. And when a problem occurs, it can be solved quickly. Either via the remote maintenance function over the Internet or through the on-site service, which is very present at HSM. Hans-Peter Kremer is therefore reassured: “It is very important for us that the supplier guarantees a short intervention period“.
