Koch is a machinery manufacturer specializing in joining technology that is drilling and inserting technology for the panel based, narrow part and solid wood industries. The company’s equipment is designed specifically to meet their customers’ requirements with the highest production output in the industry.
Easy Engineering: Which are the most futuristic products / solutions from your portfolio?
Koch: Together with some of our customers, we have introduced a system called WoodWelding®. Unlike traditional systems where glue is used, this system uses ultrasonic technology to weld the plastic dowel into the panel. The technology has a number of advantages for the manufactures.
E.E: What are the characteristics of these products / solutions?
Koch:
- The system allows for super accurate inserting of the dowel that creates very tight joints.
- Also allows for some parts like drawer boxes to be packed flat with smaller packaging dimensions.
- Eliminates the use of adhesives for both the manufacture as well as the end user.
- Eliminates the need to use water in the production of the parts and cleaning of the machines, which aids in environmental protection.
E.E: What are the benefits for the users?
Koch:
- Reduced costs because of package dimensions;
- Ease of use;
- Toolless assembly;
- Reduced assembly time;
- Reduction in cost.
E.E: How do you focus these ranges for the future?
Koch: The answer here is simple: we do what we have become good at; we listen to our customers what their requirements are and then formulate the best possible solutions for them. This is what has added to our success over the years. If you treat your customer as a partner, you can only have a good result. Our customers have come to expect this from us and for that reason; we are often involved in projects many many years before they finally make it to the market. With this open mindedness towards the future and future of our industry and products, we have become the choice for many of the global furniture related companies. Our job is to maintain our service and commitment to our customers so they continue to involve us in the future of our industry.
E.E: How will your products / solutions make work more efficient for users?
Koch: The efficiency of the whole supply chain improves and assists in an overall lower carbon footprint from cradle to grave for the consumer products. This very much aliens itself with the vision of many of the industry players, which is long-term sustainability.
E.E: How does the digital transformation affect your products / business?
Koch: Digital transformation adds to the efficiency of the production process: It allows us to monitor the equipment and therefore, assists in the management of this equipment improving overall efficiency. Secondly, it allows us to trouble shoot the machinery remotely.
The latest equipment for batch size one production does a complete set-up based on the barcode that it reads from a panel moving down the production line. The machine then automatically sets up to complete the required machining and or inserting of hardware before the part even arrives at the machine. Once the processing is completed, it will automatically set-up for the next part that may be totally different.
Together with the ability for technical staff to monitor the machines from anywhere in the world, we keep our customers up and running in a three or four shift environment, we’re catching up because of machine breakdowns is almost impossible.
E.E:Tell us something about sustainability and efficiency in the future.
Koch: These new types of technologies are really all about sustainability for the whole industry. By reducing the carbon footprint and increasing the efficiencies to drive profitability for our customers, we ensure the best possible value and quality to the end user.
E.E: How do you think the future will look like in your field in the following years?
Koch: There will be a higher level of automation through the whole supply chain, the level of technology and process automation will increase at a huge rate in many countries, but especially the less developed ones. The reason is simple: raw materials are becoming more expensive as are the rest of the input costs and the only place to remain competitive is to be more efficient.
E.E: What technologies do you think will grow this year / in the following years?
Koch: Without a doubt, the incorporation of smart joining technologies. It uses some form of joiner to ensure that the furniture can be assembled easily and without tools that would be discarded after the assembly. Thereby, improving not only the cost but reducing the waste and therefore protecting the planet.
