Industry Profile
Symaga install solar panels at Villarta de San Juan, Spain
Symaga
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Another step in their commitment to sustainability
ymaga Group’s installation of a photovoltaic solar energy generation plant to power its factory in Villarta de San Juan, Spain is another step in their commitment to sustainability and respect for the environment. In 2018 they consolidated their commitment when they implemented an Environmental Management System ISO 14001. Using one of the covers of their buildings, they have installed a system of solar panels that will generate green energy. This first phase will supply 25 percent of the total energy consumed in Symaga Group, aiming for 100 percent in the second phase. Within Symaga’s continuous improvement for manufacturing plan, the entrance to the plant has been reorganised at a logistical level, improving the internal traffic of trucks, vehicles and parking spaces for over 3500 trucks that come and go every year. Two buildings have been rebuilt, the first to control the entry and exit of vehicles, with a room to give occupational risk prevention to all visitors and the second building with a new training and meeting room for the production team.
No slow down for Covid-19
Since the onslaught of Covid-19 in Europe since January, Symaga has not been constrained in its activities, while at the same time adopting all the required regulations to minimize the potential spread of the disease within its factory – such as distancing, hygiene procedures, working from home where possible and not allowing truck drives to exits their cabs. As we have learnt from the past, this company is continually evolving with innovative developments in silo construction, such as the latest one report in this magazine relating to offering customers stiffeners made from HX500 LAD structural steel with a yield strength of 500N/mm2 which increases their resistance by 45 percent. “Our Steel Quality Improvement Project initially focused on stiffeners, the supports of a silo’s vertical load. As part of the improvement plan the company has also made strides to supply pre-assembled boltings, giving the customer an easier and faster assembly. These initiatives comes as a recognition of our customer’s needs,” says the company. That recognition is the ability to receive ideas from customers as to the improvements they would like to see adopted.
Indoor silos
In recent months, the company has been working on a new line of indoor silos. This is to satisfy a growing demand for this 88 | December 2020 - Milling and Grain
type of storing needs, where a cost effective solution for indoor storage is needed. Indoor silos are now available ranging from 3.0m to 12.23m diameter. Maximum height of the line is limited to 10 rings of body sheets,or 11,45m. The development of the new indoor silos comes as a result of Symaga’s Product Development Plan 2020, which highlights the continuous work in R&D to achieve optimised silos as storage solutions for a wider range of customers.
At home
Improvements are also being made at its Spanish head office. The Group has completed the installation of a new drilling centre, boosting its steel profile automatic processes. This line brings in a new era in drilling thanks to the high productivity of the new model installed. The company says its top value-added components reside in its manufacturing excellence and quality control. To attain such high manufacturing standards, the company has a Continued Investment Plan which targets an annual minimal investment of EUR three million. The goal is to achieve a full automatization of its factory and full traceability control. As long ago as 2015, automatization had reached 80 percent in its processes. Between 2016 and 2018, all punching and profiling lines were automated, bringing productivity up by 30 percent for some production lines. Last year a new drilling system was acquired and the welding and bending lines were also improved. In 2020, alongside the roll out of a new ICT infrastructure a new bending section was planned. These developments have allowed Symaga to take part in the world’s largest storage projects as its continued investment in new technologies and human resources is bringing about an enhanced technical and manufacturing capacity, positioning the company among the top silo manufacturers globally. But much of the success of the Group is down to its staff and to individuals. In mid-2020 Alfonso Garrido, the founder of Symaga, and many related companies including Growket, Agravid, El Bisabuelo Eladio, Quinta Monteguerra and Casa Guerras, celebrated his birthday. Mr Garrido has given a lifetime dedicated to work, creating a group of companies that directly employs 200 workers and indirectly many more. He has received many awards in his career, such as the CEPYME and Business Merit of Castilla La Mancha Government among others. His best reward has been the gratitude of Symaga employees for his many years of dedication.