This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Igus se enfrenta a la crisis con más de 80 nuevos productos en 2009

The company is about to inaugurate the expansion of its production center in Cologne

IGUS is facing the crisis with more than 80 new products in 2009

Drafting Interempresas22/06/2009

June 22, 2009

In response to the economic crisis caused by the financial markets, the company Igus has developed a record number of new products. At the industrial fair in Hanover (Germany), the specialist in plastics technology presented more than 80 innovations, more than ever. Apart from that, is already almost ready the enlargement of the factory 'lean', at the main headquarters of the company in Cologne. "" We can work even more rationally and more quickly and save costs at the same time,"says Frank Blase, Manager of Igus.""Precisely now is important to be able to supply the goods in 24 hours or even the same day," added.

In the year 2008, Igus, specialist among other plastic cable, special cables and sliding bearings of polymer chains, managed to increase its turnover by 10%. Blase, Manager of Igus, also for 2009 expectations are considered good despite the decline in sales in the first quarter of the year. Both in good times and bad, the biggest challenge is to develop products for customers, to help them improve their machines from the technical point of view, thus reducing its costs. According to Blase, "is precisely this combination which is now urgently required." IGUS is making it possible with the latest technology based on optimized plastics tribológicamente and saving costs in all fields of activity of the company which fails to realize the client.

The enlargement of the factory 'read' of Igus, reflecting an increase of the surface of 60%, is already almost completed and part already had been in operation.

What will most benefit customers?

Now, the company carries out its activities of production, test and research on a built-up area of 36,000 square meters. The surface of the factory has been expanded a 61% now climbing to 29,000 feet, this is compounded by 7,000 most relevant to the surrounding buildings for, among others, the manufacturing, technical training and a comprehensive logistics center. In the course of the enlargement of the factory, the company has considered all areas of work, from the departments of marketing and management through research and development, build tools and production to the warehouse and distribution.

IGUS is forcing the implementation of three initiatives with which aims to offer customers something that now more will help: the reduction of process costs.

Record in new products

In the field of cable chains, Igus has presented, among others, a tube sealed cable to chips designed for machine tools building sector, which offers completely new ways of building. In addition, a mounting kit for the interior of the network Division 'E4.1' universal cable optimized in terms of wear, friction and mounting, and a fibre optic cable for data transfer with the smallest radius of bending managed until today. The Cologne based company has also shown how almost 60% of engine power using chains cable of plastic with integrated wheels and cables can be saved. In the field of sliding bearings of polymer, the company has just introduced, among others, nanomaterial 'iglidur X 6', six times more resistant to wear at high temperatures and under the influence of chemical substances that the twin composite materialas well as a new hybrid linear bearing that combines friction of sliding and shooting and allows linear roller and cost-effective solutions for even more applications. Apart from the fields of well-known products, the company has also developed a light piece of plastic for the skeleton of robots humanoid, inspired by bionics.

The Cologne based company has also shown how can save almost 60% of engine power using chains cable of plastic with integrated wheels and cables

The second initiative of igus is closely related to measures aimed at the rationalization of the factory. Frank Blase says that "rapid supply just in time from warehouse from the number of units 1 without surcharges on behalf of minimum quantities, is an essential aspect in the current weather for many customers." "All pending its liquidity and we contribute to secure."

Processes and comfort: Internet

IGUS has also developed a wide variety of new Internet Tools. With these tools (third initiative), technical buyers, engineers and builders save process costs and work more comfortably. Here include the calculation of the durability of chain cable, the calculation of the durability of the linear systems 'DryLin' with included 3D Cad, as well as new redistricters and sophisticated product seekers considered to almost all product groups. Other new tools for example are the indication of the deadlines of delivery in the online catalogs, specific catalogues in lines for each customer and relevant pages to different segments with quick search according to applications and related products.

IGUS has a large number of new Internet tools to save costs of process. For example, the configurator with Cad 3D included for linear sliding bearings 'drylin'.