Manufacturing

Manufacturing of key components at its own production sites is one of the core competences of Andritz.  The long-term experience and existing know-how of Andritz in manufacturing ensure best results for customers in terms of product quality, cost, and lead time.

Andritz employs approximately 1,900 people in manufacturing.  In 2003 again, hundreds of young people gained valuable experience as trainees in one of the Andritz companies.  Many of them may come back and start their professional career at Andritz.  

Managing Workload

During the past years, Andritz has significantly reduced the extent to which its products are manufactured in wholly-owned workshops.  In 2003, slightly less than half of the components were manufactured there - the balance being manufactured by sub-suppliers.  This allows the company to efficiently manage workload and to focus in-house labor force on the technically demanding core products, which require specific experience and know-how. At the same time less essential components and equipment are sourced from qualified sub-suppliers, who are selected and supervised by manufacturing management in order to meet Andritz’s standards for cost, quality, and lead time.  In addition, highs and lows in workload are managed by employing temporary workers, and with the help of a highly flexible base workforce.

Quality, Speed and Cost

Andritz strives to improve manufacturing processes continuously to achieve optimum results in lead time, quality, and cost.  This involves introducing new, yet reliable manufacturing techniques and methods, continuous benchmarking, and strong cooperation between Divisions, procurement, and manufacturing.

Major Developments in 2003

The year 2003 was characterized by continued high workload for all Andritz manufacturing sites, especially for Graz, Austria; Savonlinna, Finland; and Esbjerg, Denmark.  As in the previous years, all agreed major delivery deadlines were met despite high capacity utilization at all Andritz manufacturing sites.

With the acquisitions of Fiedler and Bird Machine, new manufacturing locations in Germany, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and the USA were added to the Andritz Group.

Manufacturing of wear parts (consumables) for the Feed Technology Business Area was concentrated at a new manufacturing center in Geldrop, the Netherlands.

Considering the importance of China as a dynamic growth market, Andritz reinforced its presence there by building a modern manufacturing complex in Foshan, which has been operational since the beginning of 2004.  The Foshan facility manufactures equipment for sewage sludge treatment plants, for the pulp and paper industry, as well as pumps for different applications.