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More capacity thanks to latest tungsten carbide production technology

BETEK says "Yes" to Germany

The relocation of production facilities to other countries is a source of frustration and anger for more and more people in Germany. But they still exist - the companies who affirm their commitment to Germany as a location for their work. One of them is BETEK, internationally a major manufacturer of tungsten carbide wear tools.

Anyone who has every seen a road milling machine in operation can assume that BETEK tools are installed and are being used to remove the road surface. But BETEK tools are also used in surface mining and stabilization, in horizontal directional drilling, in cutting diaphragm walls and trenches, in mining, tunnelling and foundation drilling as well as in recycling. Moreover, a comprehensive tungsten carbide line of various quality levels and geometries is also available.

"Of course the enormous pressure of the prices being put on us by products from abroad is a serious problem for us," emphasizes managing director Karl Kammerer, "and low-quality copies of our high-grade tools are appearing on the market at ever shorter intervals." That is why the company has long been taking out patents on all of its innovative product developments. But that is only one of the many measures taken to maintain a strong position on the market. Important factors include innovative tools, consistently high product quality, excellent worldwide service and supply security. BETEK intends to continue providing all of that and, at the same time, develop new markets for tungsten carbide. So the company has dared to invest millions and constructed a new plant for tungsten carbide production on its own premises, adding another 3,000 square metres to the existing production area.

Modernization lowers production costs and secures jobs

The additional area has increased production capacity by 40%. This step is linked to fundamental goals of corporate policy. One of the major arguments for the construction was the reduction in production costs. The new facility allowed improvements in the procedures for powder logistics. Automation has been expanded in the area of pressing. In the sinter HIP area, where tungsten carbide is subjected to enormous temperatures to produce its hard properties, equipment now operates with state-of-the-art technology. The sums invested in environmental protection as well as in safety and job quality in the new production area are far in excess of what is required by legal statutes. As soon as the new spraying tower has been completed, BETEK will have one of the most modern tungsten carbide production plants in the world. All of these measures contribute to the continued competitiveness of BETEK - and thus of BETEK's customers. That in turn secures jobs in Aichhalden.

Conquering new niche markets

The increased production capacity creates the conditions which will enable BETEK to respond even more quickly to customer requests. Moreover, BETEK still sees opportunities for growth, although the construction industry continues to suffer. Furthermore, the company's management intends to move into niche markets. As is well known, tungsten carbide is used as an outstanding form of protection against wear. But there are still many industries which do not take advantage of this benefit. The aim is therefore to communicate more clearly the unique properties of tungsten carbide. Everywhere steel, for example, is used as wear protection, tungsten carbide would often be the more economical alternative. Wear protection on ploughs or in railway construction are only two examples which have already been realized.

The new facility will be completely ready for operation at the end of 2005

Construction began in April 2003, and the schedule runs to the end of 2005; the production personnel has already moved into the new office space. The new, spacious training centre with exhibitions for BETEK customers has already been set up. Most of the production equipment has been installed. The new spraying tower, the heart of the new tungsten carbide production, so to speak, has already been delivered. Once it has been commissioned, the new plant will finally be handed over to fulfil its destiny.