T&T Tehnica si Tehnologie - English Issue - November 2015

 TEHNICĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE

ENGLISH ISSUE | NOVEMBER 2015

www.ttonline.ro

About T&T English Issue

DIRECTOR/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF eng. Onuţ Iliescu ART DIRECTOR Bogdan Cristian EDITOR eng. Mihaela Iliescu eng. Gabriela Atanasiu CONTRIBUTORS Nelu Bălan Tudor Chiper Daniela Cosmoiu Rodica Drugea Florian Dumbravă Raluca Nicolau Andreea Per Ion Pătraşcu Lavinia Popuş Gheorghe Stan Radu Tufan

Romanian Industry Zoom by T&T... ... is an English supplement of “T&T - Tehnic` [i Tehnologie” magazine, the leading technical publication in Romania. The supplement “Romanian Industry Zoom” aims to present aspects of Romanian industry, in order to open new collaboration opportunities for companies producing/manufacturing in Romania. This first edition of the supplement in English is made up of a selection of articles published in the “T&T - Tehnic` [i Tehnologie” magazine between 2014-2015, which included information about large or small Romanian companies, interviews, event presentations, analyses and statistics about Romanian industry.

CONTACT DATA

OP 60 - CP 51, 033240, Bucharest, Romania Phone: (+4) 021.340.28.68 Fax: (+4) 021.340.28.67 Email: info@ttech.ro www.ttonline.ro Edited by Tehnic Media.

The responsibility for the accuracy of the information is entirely to the author. Total or partial reproduction of materials is prohibited without written permission of the editor.

Cover photo: Shutterstock

November 2015

English Issue

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Contents About Romanian industry Upsurge of industrial growth in September

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DTZ Echinox: Dynamics of industrial and logistical areas

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Evolution of the Romanian automotive industry

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“The Romanian Automotive Industry”, an event by Business

13

France Bucharest The Romanian plastics industry in European context Daniela Cosmoiu, Raluca Nicolau

English issue | November 2015

14

A summary of the experiences and expectations of German

16

companies in Romania

Romanian brands

News from Romanian industry The strongest laser in Europe was com4 missioned at Măgurele

Plastor Oradea, 100 years of experience, tradition and performance Lavinia Popuş

18

ICPE ACTEL S.A. - 65 years of excellence

20

Why does Romania need smart urban projects

5

The first VW Beetle with a Romanian ICPE-made electric propulsion

Electroalfa, a strong Romanian brand

22

5

Minex România, 20 years of experience in the industry

24

Siemens will create more than 200 jobs 6 in the following 3 years BIANOR: new investments in Romania

6

Continental invested 1 billion euro in its 6 15 years in Romania

Academica The University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest

Andreea Per

Made in Romania: iPAD solutions Ion Pătraşcu

26

MICROMET, a family business Gheorghe Stan

28

DBV Research - over 10 years of revolutionary inventions

31

DINAMIC SRL - full solutions for the development and

7

Up to date Eastern Europe - a new premium destination for industrial production

Romanian dynamic companies

manufacturing of plastic articles Rodica Drugea PROCAM SRL - Who are we or How we see ourselves, as everybody sees different Radu Tufan

8

The Megatitan story, “from the woods to out of the woods” Nelu Bălan

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32 34 38

28 32

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48

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Partnerships GreenBau Tehnologie, successful cooperation: - SC SYSMEC SRL Michael Tamas - SC IRUM SA Mircea Oltean - SC TRANDIUL SRL Marian Lican - SC GEVALCO INDUSTRIAL SRL Costel Chira

40 41 42 43 44

- SC FEPA SA Constantin Cozar Technology Signus 1995, wise decisions, right investments Tudor Chiper 46 FAIST MEKATRONIC Oradea Investment in people, technology and quality machines 48 Apulum Porcelain in the fast-lane of production technology Attila Bagdi 50

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Interview Interview with Elena Codecà, Executive Manager Chorus Engineering 52 Latest innovations from DMG MORI in the new Tech Center of Piteşti 54

Economical Missions Romania-Taiwan bilateral bisiness meetings “Japanese Component Buyer Exhibition” - Bucharest

62 63

Clusters and Associations

Events

Bosch Innovation Day 56 Demo Metal insert 56-57 “Energy efficiency in the industry” 57 The Kronstadt German Vocational School

A dynamic association - Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania (ACAROM) The Transylvania Metal Processing Cluster (PrelMet Transilvania)

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Onuţ Iliescu

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MIDEST is expanding its events in 2015

Companies index

67

61

Products&Services

70

November 2015

English Issue

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News

The strongest laser in Europe was commissioned at Măgurele

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he Integrated Advanced Laser Technology Centre (CETAL) of M`gurele, Ilfov county, was commissioned on October 21st. The project represents “the first high power laser of Romania, the most powerful laser in Europe and the second laser in the world capable of producing 1 PW laser pulses (petawatt = 1015 Watt) with a duration of fs (femtosecond = 10-15 seconds).

The commissioning of CETAL opens new prospects for state of the art research, such as applications in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, energy, material science, ultra-advanced production technologies with a significant impact on the Romanian economy.

It is more than enough to mention the huge potential in the field of particle acceleration for the testing of space industry components,

generation of hard X rays for industrial applications or protonanotherapy in medicine to illustrate a wide range of directions in which Romanian research will overcome the current barriers.

The new and following generations of Romanian researchers will have the opportunity to carry out nationwide projects involving resources that not before long were restricted to just a few laboratories in the USA, Germany, Great Britain or South Korea. CETAL will, and already did, attract foreign research teams, including expat Romanian researchers.

The event was attended by Prime minister Victor Ponta, the President of the Romanian Academy, acad. Ionel Valentin Vlad, the minister of National Education, Remus Pricopie, the Minister of Defence, Mircea Du[a, and Tudor Prisecaru, state secretary in the Ministry of Education. A

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Why does Romania need smart urban projects?

T

he future of Romanian cities was debated on 21st and 22nd October during a one of a kind event, Smart Cities of Romania, under the patronage of the Bucharest City Hall and the Ministry of Transports. Local initiatives for smart cities, although at a slow start, are constantly rising and can be found not only in the public discourse, but also in administration digitization or infrastructure modernization projects. To address the current information needs regarding this multi-disciplinary concept, ITS Events Management, together with the Romanian Association for Security Technology, the National Romanian Committee of the World Energy Council and the Romanian Organization for the Implementation of Smart Transportation Systems initiated the conference “Smart Cities of Romania”, the first nationwide conference dedicated to smart cities.

Besides oral presentations, the conference also featured a display area exhibiting solutions and projects of well-known suppliers.

The multinational company ZTE is the main partner, while other sponsors include Huawei, Luxten Greenlight, NEC, Siemens and Teamnet. The conference took place at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest.

Until 2050, more than 70% of the world population will live in cities, which are the main driver of development and growth. Romania is no exception, despite the National Institute of Statistics data showing an urbanization rate of just 55%.

However, the urban environment has a larger share of the GDP, with the exclusively urban ITC field exceeding for the first time the Agriculture by 11%.

The municipalities are looking for best solutions to allow the smooth development of the business environment and provide best living conditions to its citizens. Apparently inspired from science fiction, smart urban projects are closer to reality. The Smart City concept covers multiple facets of urban life: public services, energy, constructions, infrastructure, transport, IT, education and health. In recent years, together with the increased penetration of the Internet and mobility, they are complemented by another crucial element – that of “Smart Citizen.”

The conference agenda was structured per three major sections: Smart & Safe City, Smart&Integrated Transportation, Smart Energy, Smart Environment, European and National Policies, Intelligent Energy Management, etc. The event will reunite representatives of the European Commission, local authorities and national regulators, as well as academic specialists and private sector professionals who provided the audience with a full perspective on the Smart City matters. A

The first VW Beetle with a Romanian ICPE-made electric propulsion

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n August 5th, the solar farm ICPE saw the presentation of a package of electric mobility solutions developed by the ICPE research team. Its main component is the innovative electric propulsion solution which was installed for demonstration purposes on a 1966 VW Beetle. It also features a battery charging control system which is subject to a patent application.

The second important component is the wall-box 230V-32A char­ging station for electric vehicles, built to European standards, which may be supplied by an independent electricity generation system – the photovoltaic trailer.

“We chose the VW Beetle as a demonstration platform for our equipments mainly in order to raise awareness regarding the need for green transportation, but also to prove that nearly all cars can be fitted with electric power”, said Viorel STANCIU – coordinator of the electric mobility research team.

ICPE.65 – 65 years of activity in the field of electric mobility For 50 years, ICPE has been a promoter of electric mobility solutions in Romania by both the research carried out and the organization of events dedicated to this field, such as the EV international conference, now at its 12th edition, and EV SHOW – an exhibition of electric vehicles, components and specific infrastructure.

ICPE is currently a partner is several European electric mobility projects, such as: Plus Moby, Free Moby, Go4sem, Demotest EV and many other national projects. The flagship project is SIMOPEL, which is coordinated by the ICPE team, for the development of propulsion and battery charging control systems. .

Between 1-3 October 2015, ICPE, “The Association for the promotion of electric vehicles in Romania” (AVER) and the “ICPE Scientific Society” (SSICPE) organized a new edition of the EV 2015 CONFERENCE & SHOW in the ICPE Solar Park.

November 2015

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News

Siemens will create more than 200 jobs in the following 3 years

S

iemens extends its local presence in the IT field by opening a new R&D centre in Romania, under the brand of its subsidiary, Evosoft. The company intends to employ 210 people until 2017, who will work in global software and product development projects for all the Siemens divisions.

The opening of the new headquarter requires a 4.5 million Eur investment and includes rental costs for the following 5 years, furnishing costs and the initial infrastructure investment. It does not include expenses with the future employees.

“The Siemens company has been present in Cluj-Napoca for more than 20 years. Our relationship with the city is a long term partnership, and his is why we invested on a constant basis in the education of the young generation of engineers, developing a close connection with local technical universities. Starting with August, we take a natural step: grow in a new direction, for which we want to recruit the best engineers in the area, who will work in one of the most modern Siemens IT centres in Romania”, declared George Costache, CEO of Siemens Romania.

The company already started hiring in Cluj-Napoca through a wide recruitment campaign, carried out by means of online recruiting platforms, partnerships with local technical universities, presence at local job fairs, and through local recruiting companies.

BIANOR: new investments in Romania

T

he Polish-Dutch company specialized in plastics, BIANOR, invests in its manufacturing premises opened in May 2013 in Ploie[ti. Besides the European ISO certification in the automotive field, which is currently under implementation, BIANOR extends its services, with emphasis on gas-assisted injection moulding and two-component injection moulding.

The increased efficiency of the transport fleet and the ISO certification are aimed at the permanent expansion in the fields of automotive manufacturing and consumer goods industries.

Thanks to relocation of production facilities to Europe, Romania is growingly important in the export-oriented automotive parts industry. A

Continental invested 1 billion euro in its 15 years in Romania

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ontinental continues its Romanian success story and will create more than 1000 jobs this year. “We are focusing on developing our team of highly qualified and motivated engineers“, declared Dr. Christian von Albrichsfeld, manager of Continental Romania. “In the past 15 years, the German company invested more than 1 billion euro in Romania. The result of this effort is remarkable: we sought the professional and personal development of our employees and now we have an extraordinary team of 15,000 colleagues. We wanted to work with latest generation equipment and in modern buildings designed for production and engineering centres – and now we have them all. And we will continue at the same pace, with pride and confidence“.

air conditioning system.

Our products are top quality and we are proud of the three Q1 distinctions awarded by Ford in 2014 to the three Timi[oara factories“, said Dr. Christian von Albrichsfeld, manager of Continental Romania.

Continental has engineering centres in Timi[oara, Sibiu, Ia[i and Bra[ov and production units in Bra[ov, Sibiu, Timi[oara, Nadab and Carei. Of its 15,000 employees, nearly 8,000 work in the factories and enginnering centre of Timi[oara, nearly 3,000 in the factory and engineering centre of Sibiu, more than 2,000 in Carei and more than 2,000 in Ia[i, Nadab and Bra[ov.

“The Continental staff increased steadily since our beginnings in Romania. This trend will be maintained in 2015, when we will hire another 1,000 persons. The open positions are available to young university graduates and people with experience in the automotive field, who we would like to hire in the engineering centres and Romanian factories. We are also targeting the positions open in production facilities, with an important role for graduates of the dual vocational school which we are supporting at local level“, added the national manager for Human Resources, Anica Stoica.

“Our 4,500 engineers develop software solutions and innovative applications for passenger safety, NoX reduction, well-being and comfort during car travelling. The tires made in Romania are fitted on a wide range of cars, while the Romanian-made ContiTech products are included in the transmission and ventilation and

She emphasized the importance of the education system which Continental initiated together with other German companies in Romania: “the dual vocational school, based on the theoretical study of a trade and internships at companies, is supported by our locations of Timi[oara, Bra[ov, Carei and Sibiu.“. A

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Academica

The University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest U

niversity POLITEHNICA of Bucharest is the largest and the oldest technical university in the country and among the most prestigious universities in Romania.

The tradition of the institution, developed in over 190 years through the effort of the most important nation's schoolmasters and of the generations of students, is not the only convincing reason. Today, the POLITEHNICA University of Bucharest is undergoing a continuous modernization process, being involved in a permanent dialogue with great universities in Europe and all over the world.

International Association of Universities (IAU), European University Association (EUA), Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) etc. However, UPB paid a special attention to bilateral cooperation agreements (around 200 accords in 2010) with similar universities, mainly from Europe, Japan, or the United States of America.

UPB participates in many scholarly EUROPEAN programs such as LIFELONG LEARNING (ERASMUS or LEONARDO) based on the approved ERASMUS University Charter 2007 – 2013.

Also, University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest is an active participant to projects such as COPERNICUS, PECO, 7th FRAME; the World Bank has funded many research projects and development plans for new facilities in University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest.

The University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest wants to be present among the universities in Europe able to design and optimize processes that lead to a knowledge-based society, to reaching the goals of the sustainable economic growth, to better jobs, to stronger economic and social cohesion, in compliance with the provisions of the 2002 European Council in Lisbon and European Council in Barcelona in the same year.

The engineering profession has continuously transformed and adapted itself to the new demands of the society, but being an engineer, viz. a person who knows and is able to make life more comfortable, has remained unchanged.

At present the University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest is formed by 15 different faculties: n Faculty of Electrical Engineering n Faculty of Power Engineering n Faculty of Automatic Control and Computer Science n Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology n Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics n Faculty of Engineering and Management of Technological Systems n Faculty of Biotechnical Systems Engineering n Faculty of Transports n Faculty of Aerospace Engineering n Faculty of Material Science and Engineering n Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science n Faculty of Engineering in Foreign Languages n Faculty of Applied Sciences n Faculty of Medical Engineering n Faculty of Entrepreuneurship, Business Engineering and Management

International Cooperation The university is a full member in several academic organisations, the main ones being Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER),

Research The scientific research in University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest - UPB is traditionally one of the most important components of its activities, offering national and international visibility and professional recognition.

In connection with the modern concepts of “knowledge society” and “knowledge economy”, UPB defined certain strategic orientations of the scientific research, derived from the competencies of our human resources and relied to our research infrastructure, available in our research centers, departments and laboratories.

These orientations are well harmonized with our fields and domains of the university present and perspective education process.

Accordingly to the R&D National Strategy 2007-2013, UPB settled certain oriorities, such as: a) identification and development of some top scientific fields of research, with high interdisciplinary characteristics, developed in cooperation, inside our university and with other universities/research institutes/ companies from Romania and abroad; b) promoting scientific excellency and highly professional recognition for basic research done in UPB, also sustaining the economical and social valorization of the results obtained in the R&D activities c) supporting and encouraging young skilled researchers to embrace a professional career in our university.

Accordingly to the Lisbon Strategy, one important priority is to orient the R&D activities for creating innovative products/technologies/services and to transfer them, in the benefit of social and economical environment, espectively to license the right for application of the patents obtained in UPB. (www.upb.ro) A November 2015

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Up to date

Eastern Europe - a new premium destination for industrial production ANDREEA PER Communication coordinator for the European Power Transmission Distributors Association (EPTDA)

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nnual production figures are on the rise in Europe, and the economy is expected to raise slightly in 2015. However, industrial production in Western Europe peaked for the time being, and our analysis suggest a downward trend, which will be maintained in the second half of 2015. In return, economic activity in Eastern Europe is not expected to go back to recession anytime this year.

In Eastern Europe, industrial production reached a new record in June. Currently, it’s 3.6% higher than last year, and this upward trend will persist in the second half of this year. EPTDA estimates say that industrial production will increase at least until 2016.

Despite recent turmoil in Ukraine, Eastern Europe still has some key advantages that make

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it an attractive option for business. Eastern Europe salaries are traditionally lower than in Western Europe. The hourly rate in Germany may range between 40€ to 52€, but this cost will drop to 13€ in Hungary and less than 5€ in Bulgaria and Romania.

Since the labour cost is one of the most expensive and difficult to control, skilled labour in Eastern Europe is at a significant advantage compared to Western Europe. This has been true especially in the automotive sector. Volkswagen and Daimler expanded into Central and Eastern Europe to benefit from low-cost structures and to improve sales on a new market. For instance, motor vehicle production in Poland is at its highest peak to date, an 8.6% increase from last year. The increase is even more significant in Bulgaria and Czech Republic, where the annual motor vehicle production increased by 14.6% and respectively 11.6% from last year. The

only country in Western Europe that is able to boast similar figures is, of course, Germany, with a 7.4% increase.

The proximity between Eastern Europe and Western Europe also confers this region an advantage in comparison with low cost production centres in Asia. This reduces significantly transport costs and shortens delivery periods. The proximity to Western Europe also helps overcoming language and cultural barriers which may prove costly to businesses. The locals who benefitted from new jobs in the region and saw a boost in income are now capable to open own businesses and provide additional services to multinational companies coming in the region. This has a positive multiplication effect for the economy and development of Eastern Europe.

Opportunities Many Western European companies – and others – already realized that now is the time to develop production facilities in Eastern Europe and to look new customers and suppliers in this region. EPTDA, an association of distributors and manufacturers of power transmission products, embraces this trend and advises its members to not miss this train and take to opportunity to enter the Eastern European market. The participation to industrial fairs in the area is thus one of our short term objectives, and we are trying to grasp as much as possible of its industrial potential.

2014 saw our first participation at the WIN FAIR of Istanbul, one of the largest engineering and automation fairs in Eurasia, and took part for a second time at BRNO MSV ENGINEERING FAIR, the largest engineering fair in Central and Eastern Europe. Last year, we only had one EPTDA stand at the MSV, and since it was a success, we returned this year with an entire EPTDA pavilion, and were joined by many members who sought to participate with an own stand. We are glad that EPTDA members also understand the opportunities of this region and that they are actively seeking new distribution channels and quality manufacturers over here.

Perspectives Moreover, with the same purpose of enlarging our scope, the annual EPTDA convention took place in 2014 in Istanbul (24-27 September 2014). The convention has a different venue each year, and Istanbul was selected for the first time s a strategic location. To us, Istanbul is not just a pretty tourist destination, but also a metaphor expressing the wish of the EPTDA and its members to expand beyond Western Europe, going through Eastern Europe, and as far as the Middle East.

For a year, EPTDA has been both a European association and the association of distributors and manufacturers of power transmission equipment for the entire EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). With small but sure steps, one member at a time, we are turning into a world class international platform.

First and foremost, our wish is to attract as many Central and Eastern European members, on one hand, to provide our Western European members with the opportunity to cooperate with new quality companies and to enjoy the economic benefits of this region, together with our local partners, and on the other hand, to allow Eastern European manufacturers and distributors to develop networks of international brands from the power transmission industry and with small to middle-sized distributors all over the world, recognized for the quality of their products.

The statistics and trends presented in this article are prepared by EPTDA in cooperation with ITR Economics, official partner of EPTDA. A

The European Power Transmission Distributors Association (EPTDA) is based in Brussels, Belgium. EPTDA is the most important association for industrial distribution channels in Europe, Middle East and Africa, setting the highest trade, environmental, social and ethical standards. EPTDA currently has more than 240 top member companies from 30 countries all over the world, with annual sales volumes in excess of 26 billion Euro, and 250,000 employees. The EPTDA mission is to consolidate its members in the industrial distribution channels and to help them become as profitable and competitive as possible – for the highest standard of customer service. EPTDA takes pride in its values, focusing on the concept of a first class community for its members, and providing them with the opportunity to an open and mutually respectful dialogue. It expects its members to act and develop with integrity, honesty and correctness.

For more information on the article, association and the benefits of EPTDA membership, please contact us at info@eptda.org.

November 2015

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About Romanian industry

Upsurge of industrial growth in September T

he industrial activity surged in September as compared with August after a flat 5-month period. The total production volume ratio increased from 56 in August to 63 in September, while new orders increased similarly from 56 to 63. These changes show that the rise in demand in the final summer months could be the main reason of this resurgence. It most likely relates to the export demand, since the export order ratio increased from 55 in August to 62 in September. However, a certain domestic demand increase could also be a factor.

Expansion bears on costs For the first time in many months, companies are reporting a 3-point increase in costs as compared to July and August, and a 6-point increase from May and June. The production costs indicator increased from 61 to 64, while the raw materials and production materials indicator increased from 52 in August to 61 in September.

Concurrently, a slight decrease of inventories also became noticeable, from 49 in August to 46 in September.

Inventories continue to follow a downward trend (index below 50) due to a tendency by the companies towards an order-based resupply.

Prices and jobs remain constant The sales price index remains stationary at 49 points, in downward territory. In the past 11 months, the price index followed an upward trend only once, when the production volume peaked to 63 points.

For now, companies are not contemplating new hirings. On the contrary, the employment index dropped from 54 in August to 50 in September. A likely explanation would be the influence of seasonal work, which determines some companies to reduce staffing in winter months.

Expectations on the rise The boost of current production also bears on future expectations. The 6-month production volume climbed from 54 in August to 57 in September.

A global confidence indicator (the average of expectations for orders, production and sales

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prices) shows a slight confidence increase to 57 points, after a long slump from 71 in January to 54 in August this year.

The main question of the Barometer this month is whether the industrial activity will continue to increase, stop at the current level or decline. A The report was prepared by IRSOP & SNSPA Faculty of Management on a sample of 301 industrial companies representative for the 15,200 industrial companies in Romania with more than 9 employees which are generating approximately 95% of the total industrial turnover. The data was collected by face to face interviews with company managers between 19 and 23 October 2015. The results can be viewed at www.snspa.ro/infosnspa/comunicate-de-presa.

DTZ Echinox: Dynamics of industrial and logistical areas A t the end of S1 2015, the inventory of upgraded logistical and industrial areas of Romania was 1.9 million sqm. Approx. 50% of these areas are in Bucharest (955,000 sqm). Outside the capital, the largest markets of logistical and industrial areas are: Timișoara –12% of the total inventory, Ploiești – 10%, Brașov and Cluj – 7% each.

New space deliveries followed an upward trend, being generally represented by build to suit developments. More than 75,000 sqm of industrial and logistical spaces were delivered in S1, 70% of this area being finalized in Timi[oara.

In general, the western part of Romania was most active in the delivery of new spaces: Timi[oara – 52,000 sqm, Cluj – 14,000 sqm, Oradea – 4,000 sqm.

In S1 2015, the demand of industrial and logistical areas increased by approx. 40% compared with the similar period of 2014. The aggregated demand amounted to 83,000 sqm was equally divided between pre-rental and relocation-expansion transactions.

In Bucharest, demand was 20,000 sqm and represented 25% of the total recorded volume. Rentals in Bucharest averaged an area of 4,000 sqm, all the transactions being concluded in current projects.

In the first six months of the year, Ploie[ti had the largest recorded demand – 35% of the total demand. However, the city continues to record the largest transactions in terms of area (e.g. P&G – renegotiation for 28,000 sqm in Dunca Logistic Center).

The automotive companies remain the most active tenants, followed by logistical and distribution companies.

At the end of S1 2015, the general vacancy rate of upgraded logistical and industrial areas in

Romania was 7%, being stable as compared with the beginning of the year. In Bucharest, the vacancy rate followed an increasing trend, at 6%.

Prime location rent for A-class units with an area of at least 5,000 sqm range between 3.6 – 3.9 Euro/sqm/month. The rent is slightly higher for units with areas below 5,000 sqm. For B-class areas, rent ranges between 2.5 and 3 Euro/sqm/ month.

Net effective rents are 10 to 20% lower, the most frequent incentive to tenants being the granting of free months according to the contract duration and the rented area.

130,000 sqm of industrial and logistical areas are scheduled for delivery before the end of the year. In fact, the deliveries of new spaces in 2015 will be the highest in the last seven years.

Mihaela Galaţanu, Head of Research DTZ Echinox: “The built-to-suit projects were and still are the main driver of the modernization of the industrial and logistical areas.

However, 2015 is the starting year for speculative development. Approximately 30% of the spaces delivered in 2015 are built for speculation, the cities attracting such investments being Bucharest, followed by Cluj and Timi[oara.”

Bucharest, the most developed market of logistical and industrial areas in Romania, has not recorded any pre-rental transactions during S1 2015.

Since companies from the manufacturing, retail and e-commerce sectors are currently considering options for consolidations and expansion of operations in Bucharest, some large pre-rental transactions could be concluded before the end of year. A November 2015

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About Romanian industry

Evolution of the Romanian automotive industry T

he Romanian automotive industry shows a solid, steady growth.

According to the estimates of the Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania (ACAROM), the Romanian automotive market will grow with a total 12% in 2015. In the first 5 months of 2015, automotive production increased by 9%, the export being 1.2% lower than in the same period of last year. Internal automotive sales increased by 35%, while the ratio of second hand cars vs. new cars produced domestically and sold in Romania is 7.3/1 (the average age of second hand cars is 10.6 years).

The Romanian automotive industry is more than vehicle assembly In the past 10 years, many international suppliers installed production facilities in Romania. Thus, the automotive parts sector became diversified and globalized, bringing many changes to the horizontal industry: n tires; n wiring; n plastics; n deep drawing and sheet units; n technical rubber components; n ball bearings, planetary gears, cam levers; n electronic/mechatronic modules; n optical devices; n batteries and rechargeable batteries; n recycling.

n Number of companies: more than 600 n Total employees: 203,600 (direct jobs) n Labour costs in the local manufacturing industry: 4.9 euro/hour n Volume of spare parts sales on the internal market: 2 bln. euro n National fleet: around 6 mil. vehicles n 158 international automotive parts suppliers have production facilities in Romania. Some of them also carry out research and development activities.

Against an economic background of moderate growth, supported by the international success of Dacia and the demand on the German market, the Romanian automotive parts sector continues its robust growth. Despite the high number of recent investment projects in the field of automotive components, the pace of investments in the sector is not living up to its full potential.

Context The global demand of motor vehicles and spare parts follows an increasing trend. The forecast of the light motor vehicle sales to 2021 estimates the largest growth on the B segments, small class (36%), and C segment, compact class (32%), the exact same motor vehicle classes which are built in Romania.

The global market trend is estimated to rise from 406 bln. Euro in 2010 to 664 bln. Euro in 2025. As compared to 2015, the world production of automotive parts will increase by around 130 bln. Euro in the following 10 years. The parts for “entry level” vehicles will account for 258 bln. in the global growth until 2025.

The total turnover of the automotive industry in 2014 was estimated to 18 billion Euro, a 7% increase from 2013. As regards the turnover of the automotive parts sector, it increased by 8.7% in 2014 as compared to 2013. The entire automotive industry is estimated to have contributed around 12% to the Romanian GDP in 2014. The main drivers of this sector remain the Renault Group via the international “entry” programme and the export of components, directly or through integrators.

Key data on the romanian automotive industry n the turnover of the automotive sector was approx. 18 bln. Euro in 2014, of which 12.6 bln. Euro in parts manufacturing.

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The maximum increase will be that of engine parts, with an annual average of 4.8%. Approx.

70% of the growth will be generated by the BRIC markets, China taking a share of 113 bln. Euro.

According to estimates, China will surpass all other countries in terms of growth for all types of parts (article based on data courtesy of ACAROM). A

About ACAROM The Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania - ACAROM is a professional body of companies involved in the automotive industry, associated in order to represent the interests of the automotive sector. ACAROM, a nonprofit organization, has 144 members and was set up in 1996. ACAROM is a member of the CL of ACEA – European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. What the member companies have in common is that they design, manufacture and sell motor vehicles, materials, parts, modules, vehicle parts or provide related services and equipments for the manufacturing and maintenance of motor vehicles.

“The Romanian Automotive Industry”, an event by Business France Bucharest O

n June 23rd, Novotel Hotel hosted the event “Romanian Automotive Industry”, organized by Business France Bucharest – the Commercial Service of the French Embassy in Romania. Continuing an older tradition, the event partner was the Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania (ACAROM).

The first part of the event was organized as a symposium that discussed automotive industry development opportunities, with the second part being reserved for business meetings between the Romanian companies (10) and the French companies (14) attending the event. The symposium was also attended by representatives of the Romanian and French authorities and some important companies and associations. The following held speeches during the event: n His Excellency Mr. François SAINT-PAUL, French Ambassador in Romania n Mr. Mihai TUDOSE, Minister of Economy, Trade and Tourism n Mr. Alexandru N~STASE, State Secretary of the Department for Foreign Investments and public-private partnerships n Mr. Nicolas MAURE, President and General Manager of Automobile Dacia, General Manager of Group Renault Romania, Regional Industrial Director Euromed-Africa n Mr. Constantin STROE, ACAROM President n Mr. Eric FAIDY, General Manager Michelin Romania and President of CCIFER n Mr. Bruno LEROY, President of CCEF

Nicolas Maure mentioned that 80% of the automotive components and 60% of the mechanic components of a Mioveni-made vehicle are currently made in Romania, and the safeguarding competitiveness requires the modernization of the Dacia plant in terms of automation. As regards the business turnover, the French manufacturer targets a 20% to 30% share of the local auto market. Constantin Stroe, president of ACAROM, disclosed that discussions with major investors (not only French) interested in the Romanian market are currently being held, but without going into further details.

In conclusion, we can be moderately optimistic as regards economic growth in the automotive industry, which is directly influenced by bureaucracy and the slow reaction of the authorities to the automotive manufacturers needs. A

The discussions showed that France is the prime investor in the Romanian automotive industry, at a great distance from the second classed. Moreover, November 2015

English Issue

A 13

About Romanian industry

The Romanian plastics industry in European context DANIELA COSMOIU Executive Director, Aspaplast RALUCA NICOLAU Executive Assistant, Aspaplast

I

n the second half of the 20th century, plastic became one of the most important materials used economy-wide. Today, plastic are increasingly used in various sectors and are present in all aspects of everyday life: from transportation to constructions, telecommunications, consumer goods, food products and health care.

The plastic production world figures between 1950 and 2012 show that it witnessed an average increase rate of 8.7%.

These market changes, combined with the strict European regulations, are a challenge to the plastic industry’s capacity to remain competitive.

The statistical data on the consumption of plastics in Europe, divided per various sectors, shows that packaging was the most important destination of plastics at the end of 2012 (39.4%), followed by constructions (20.3%).

Statistics

Field

Consumption

Packaging

39.4%

Automotive

8.2%

Electrics and electronics

5.5%

Construction Agriculture Other

20.3% 4.2% 22.4%

The financial recession continued to manifest itself in Romania, with 3285 registered companies in the field of plastic and rubber in 2013 (a decrease by 2.2% from 2012, when only 3360 companies were registered). More than 85% of these are still active in this sector.

Evolutions As regards the average number of employees in this sector, it increased from 41.7 thousand in December 2012 to 43 thousand in December 2013 (an increase of 1.6 thousand).

The relatively modest increase in 2013 and 2012 compared with 2011 is mainly due to the constant recession in South Europe countries, and to significant production cuts, which lead to a GDP contraction by 0.3% in the EU economy.

Moreover, the industry competition is constantly rising, the European industry being faced with prevalent massive imports from Asia and especially China.

14 A English Issue November 2015

Some of the 2011-2013 statistical data on: n Production of plastics in Romania: - 2011: 167 kto (final data); - 2012: 162 kto (semi-final data); - 2013 (Jan-Nov): 72 kto (provisional data).

The data on the actual production (domestic consumption + export) includes the following two categories: n tubing, pipes and rigid hoses made of ethylene polymers and vinyl chloride polymers n bags of ethylene polymers n bags of polypropylene n boxes, crates, racks and similar items made of polyethylene, for the transport and packaging of goods (excluding bottle cases) n cans, bottles, flasks and similar items of polyethylene, for the transport or packaging of goods, with capacities ≤ 2 litres and > 2 litres n doors, windows and their frames and sills of vinyl polychloride doors n glassware and kitchenware made of propylene polymers. n Production of plastics in primary shapes in Romania: - 2011: 188 kto (final data); - 2012: 143 kto (semi-final data); - 2013: 144.65 kto (provisional data).

The data on the actual production (domestic consumption+export) refer to: polypropylene, high and low density polyethylene, polyurethane foam. n International sales of plastics and rubber In 2013, Romania exported plastics, rubber and related items in total amount of 2797.3 million

Euro, 236.7 million more than the previous year (+9.2%). The top 5 exporting countries – EU members is: Germany, Hungary, Italy, France, Bulgaria.

The main products exported by Romania in 2013 were: n polymer sacks and bags; n propylene polymers sacks and bags; n ethylene polymers sacks and bags; n c ans, bottles, flasks and similar items of polyethylene and PVC; nb oxes, crates, racks and similar items made of polyethylene; n PVC doors, windows and their frames; no ther plastic items (names according to NACE classification).

The imports of plastics, rubber and related items exceeded 4012 million Euro in 2013, a 2.9% increase from 2012. The top 5 importing countries – EU members is: Germany, Italy, Hungary, France, Poland.

Against this background, Romania’s trade deficit in plastics, rubber and related items was 1052 million Euro in 2013, down from 1351 million in 2012.

section – raw material at the OLTCHIM SA plant. It is well known that this plant exported approx. 80% of the total PVC production to Central, Eastern and Western European countries, and in America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Despite the global market contractions during the recession period, companies in this sector understood that in order to remain competitive on the internal market and to adapt to global trends, they had to invest in retooling and increase the production capacity.

The exports of plastics in primary forms dropped by 3.6% between January 1st and December 31st December in the same period of 2012.

Thus, various production capacities were commissioned and major investments were carried out in 2012-2013, such as purchases, from own funds or various other funding sources, of plastic processing machines such as: n s tate of the art control equipment for injection moulding machines (CHORUS SA Bucharest); n s pecial sheet co-extruder, printing machines, equipments and accessories, bag manufacturing machines (PLASTICA SA Satu Mare); ne xtruder for the blowing of canister shells (MUNPLAST SA Bucharest); np lant for the recycling and mixing of plastics (AECTRA SRL Bucharest); ne xtrusion and looms for polypropylene fabrics (ROMTEXTIL SA Constan]a); nw elding machines for polyethylene fabrics (PLASROM SRL Buftea).

As regards the import of plastics in primary forms, they increased by 5.5% (in the period January 1st – December 31st 2013, as compared to the same period of 2012).

These are just a few examples aimed at the continued technological improvement of the companies in this sector, and increase of performance and product quality. A

The drop in the export of plastics in primary forms is mainly due to the closing down of the PVC

Source: PlasticsEurope/Italy, the National Institute of Statistics/Romania; RISCO/Romania

As compared to the previous year, most of the exported product groups yielded additional revenue. The European Union was Romania’s main partner of the plastics and rubber trade, The European union was the main partner in Romania’s trade with plastics and rubber: the EU deliveries amounted to 2209.7 million Euro, while purchases from EU members reached 3303.6 million Euro.

November 2015

English Issue

A 15

About Romanian industry

The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry

A summary of the experien of German companies in E

ach year, the bilateral German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (AHK) in Central and Eastern Europe (ECE) are carrying out a survey of the economic situation and investment opportunities of each country. Thanks to its favourable geographic position and its 20 m inhabitants, Romania is an important market in South-East Europe.

German companies have good business prospects here. Among the decisive investment drivers are low labour costs and skilled labour. Romania is increasingly evolving towards a research and development-oriented investment environment. Many German companies already made significant investments in these fields.

Based on the ECE conjecture report, a Romania conjecture report was drafted, enabling a comparison between Romania and other ECE region countries, but also aimed at providing a complex image on the Romanian investment opportunities.

The survey was carried out in March 2015, and consisted in answers from 126 German-owned companies active on the Romanian market.

Framework economic conditions In general, 2014 can be described as a good year for the Romanian economy, with an increase of the gross domestic product and a significant increase of exports. The 2.8% economic increase exceeded that of many European countries. The GDP increase is particularly owed to increased exports, but also to soaring household consumption. The industry (+3.5%) and trade also followed an upward trend and had a significant share in the GDP growth, while the construction sector lagged behind. The highest increase was seen in the IT sector IT (+11%), which takes 6% of the Romanian GDP. In 2014, Romanian exports reached 52.5 bln EUR (+5.8%), while imports amounted to 58.5 bln. EUR (+5.9%). The most important trade partner was Germany (for the eight time in a row). The volume of trade between the two countries increased again (+10.3%) and amounted to 21.3 bln. EUR. Romania also shows a stable macroeconomic environment.

With a GDP per capita of 7,600 EUR, an inflation rate down to 1.4% in 2014 (3.2% in 2013) and an unemployment rate 6.8% lower than in the past two years, Romania is very well placed compared to other European countries.

The current survey shows that German companies regain their trust in Romania as an investment location and are optimistic about the future, partly thanks to the election of the new Romanian president in December 2014.

The combination between productivity, low labour costs and staff skills are beneficial for all German companies willing to invest in Romania. These positive perspectives are also inferred from the current ECE survey among German companies.

Circumstantial evolutions The current economic situation of the country, of the own company or the sector are better assessed than last year. Romania is leading the ECE countries in terms of economic development. 15% of the respondent companies appreciate the economic situation of the country as being good, while

16 A English Issue November 2015

more than half (56%) think the Romanian economy will perform better than last year.

As regards the own company, the expectations are positive for the current year. The number of those assessing their own company position as being better has increased to 54% (2014: 50%, 2013: 36%, 2012: 42%), while as regards the comparison between this year and the last, 75% believe it is improving (2014: 54%). An improvement was also recorded in how company turnovers are perceived. Thus, 71% of the survey participants estimate an increase of their turnover; the expectations are high in this area and increased significantly from 2014. The German companies outlook also improved in terms of exports: 43% of the respondents believe that exports will increase in 2015 as compared to 2014, and just 1% are expecting exports to decrease.

The positive circumstantial expectations are also reflected in higher employment prospects and investment decisions. 41% of the companies believe that investment intentions are on the increase, and just 11% of the respondents believe they will decrease.

More than half of the survey companies (52%) see an improvement in the circumstantial situation of their sector in the current year as compared to last year, while only 16% expect the situation to worsen.

Economic conditions - slight rebound of economic factors Similarly to previous years, this year’s survey included questions on the investment location. The assessment of the economic factors shows a number of progresses in several fields, both as regards economic policies and the functionality of the business environment and the labour market.

A significant criterion in selecting the investment location is that of the labour market conditions.

Low labour costs in Romania as compared to other European countries are a major advantage.

However, they are not sufficient to make certain

- The 2015 Conjecture Report

ces and expectations Romania investment locations appealing. This requires the right balance of costs, skills, labour availability and productivity. What matters in this respect are the quality of the training and the labour flexibility.

As regards labour costs, Romania the lowest hourly rate, with just 4.8 EUR/hour, which is around one eighth of the hourly rate in Germany.

German companies are also satisfied this year in this respect (37%, 2014: 31%) or very satisfied (5%, 2014: 7%). Labour costs and productivity have a positive ratio, which determined German companies to keep on doing business in Romania. As regards labour productivity, Romania is above the average of other surveyed countries in Central and Eastern Europe (ECE): 50% of the companies are satisfied, only 10% are dissatisfied, while the rest are undecided.

As regards hiring intentions, Romania is very well placed compared to other ECE countries, namely second: 52% intend to increase their labour force (2014: 46%), and just 7% want to cut their workforce (2014: 14%). This is the best result from 2008. These positive hiring trends should also be considered by political decision makers. Legislative measures should be adopted to boost job creation and guarantee stable and functional conditions on the labour market.

Progress in vocational training. A new beginning of the educational system took place in 2012, when the introduction of new legislative framework conditions led to the creation of more than 11,000 places in the vocational education system. Their number increased to nearly 13,000 in 2013, while in 2014 there were already 35,000 young people in 650 vocational schools seeking for a recognized diploma and access on the labour market. The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been involved and actively supporting official institutions in the creation of a vocational education system based on the German dual model.

Another positive development as regards the legislative framework conditions for the labour market is the Work-related Inventions Law of June 2014. The former provisions of Law 64/1991 on work-related inventions were replaced with new, clearer EU-compliant provisions, which could encourage the invention potential of highly qualified Romanian employees. The automotive industry and its suppliers were among the first to realize the high research and development potential of the Romanian labour market. The companies in this field provide excellent conditions for creative engineering performance by creation of research and development jobs.

“This will make Romania stronger as an investment venue and particularly more attractive for foreign investors in research and development”, declared Sebastian Metz, Head Manager and Member of the Board of Directors of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

However, German companies are concerned over the proposed amendments of the labour legis­lation, which, according to experts, would lead to impaired flexibility. The proposals are specifically targeted at amendments and additions to the Labour Code and Social Dialogue Law. If the current proposals will be carried over in their current form, it may lead to a reconsideration of hirings by employers and, in the worst case scenario, to a cutting of jobs. As regards labour costs, Romania has the lowest hourly rates, with just 4.8 EUR, i.e. one eighth of the German hourly rate. This year, German companies in Romania are again satisfied (37%, 2014: 31%) or very satisfied (5%, 2014: 7%).

Labour costs and productivity have a positive ratio, which determined German companies to keep on doing business in Romania. As regards labour producti­vity, Romania is above the average of other surveyed countries in Central and Eastern Europe (ECE): 50% of the companies are satisfied, only 10% are dissatisfied, while the rest are undecided.

Conclusion: Overall, the companies are satisfied Despite some German companies still not satisfied of certain economical factors, most of these companies would still select Romania as an investment location. When asked whether they would still choose our country to invest in, 90% of the survey participants responded “yes”. The regional average is 84%. Romania jumped one position, from 11th to 10th place (out of 20 countries) in the general classification of the most investment-attractive Central and Eastern European states. The most attractive country in the region this year is again Poland, followed by the Czech Republic and Estonia.

The last two places are taken by Albania (18), Kosovo (19) and Ukraine (20).

NOTE: This article is an excerpt of the 2015 conjectural report – romania by the romanian-german chamber of commerce and industry. Full report can be found at www.ahkrumaenien.ro.

About the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania) is the official representation of the German economy and the largest bilateral Chamber of Commerce in Romania. Created in 2002, the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry includes more than 530 member companies, which are provided with an important networking, information and experience exchange platform.

November 2015

English Issue

A 17

Romanian brands

Plastor Oradea, years of experience, 100 tradition and performance PLASTOR SA is today one of the most important privately-owned producers of plastic ware in Romania. Experience in the field of plastics, gathered ever since 1914, and the high quality of plastic products allowed the development, expansion and enlarging of activity fields.

Beginnings and evolution There are little companies that can take pride with a long history, and even less that have existed and developed continuously for 100 years. The Oradea-based Plastor, which specializes in the processing of plastic, is one of them.

The company was established in Oradea by a trader in 1914, the same location in which it stands today, and first manufactured

18 A English Issue November 2015

hairpins and combs of natural materials. The technologies and product range developed in the years to come, so that by the end of World War II, the factory employed 188 workers and produced, besides the initial products, cigarette cases, table tennis balls, shoehorns, sunglasses, etc.

The follwing years first brought nationalization, then multiple consolidations with small local enterprises. In the ’50s, the company was called the Bihor Plastics Industry and had in its portfolio toys, various domestic articles of plastic and brushes, paint brushes and mason’s brushes. These were continued, still in the sixth decade, by the manufacturing of moulds and dies, an activity which would develop significantly at a later time. The manufacturing of plastics skyrocketed in the next decade, which also brought investments in facilities and buildings. In the ’70s, the company was named I.I.S. Viitorul Oradea, a name which would become widely known in the country.

The year 1989 found the factory with more than 20,000 employees and in the position of the largest toy producer in the country, in addition to brushes, brooms, cans, containers, sheets, single filaments, zippers, stickers, etc.

Developments After the privatization in 1994, the company which was already named Plastor SA began a large reorganization process, turning in the 11 company group of today, each company being focused on a certain market segment.

The mother company, Plastor SA, is specialized in the processing of plastics by injection and extrusion-blowing, and on the design and execution of dies for the two technologies. Besides these, it carried out different types of processes, mainly the assembly of sub-assemblies and finished products, but also stencil printing, pad printing or hot printing.

The continued concern for the increase of the company’s abilities and its technological level allowed access to mature markets and inclusion in the customer portfolio of resounding names. From Bosch to Mahle or Continental and from Flextronics and Alstom to Salomon and Atomic, all these companies buy automotive parts, electric and electronic devices parts or winter sports equipments from Plastor Oradea.

The Oradea company is an example not solely by its age, but also by the courage with which it faced constant challenges in its long history. The radical change of the market segment, which took place several times, is just one of them. The leap from the production of simple or mechanic toys to parts for vehicles manufactured by Mercedes, Ford or Volkswagen was neither simple nor obstacle free. First, it involved an increase in the skills of the personnel, from junior operators to most qualified engineers, then the retooling of the company with state of the art technologies enabling it to compete with established Western European companies, and maybe most difficult of all, changing the mentalities of the employees and training them to comply with the high quality standards in the field.

The manner in which Plastor understood to do business by showing respect for both customers and its own employees is part of its success. Among the company values declared by its management, the most important one is its people, which make everything possible. Growing the loyalty of employees, promotion to management positions of own employees who fully assimilated its culture, the provision of good working conditions and attractive salaries are constant matters of concern for the management and, maybe, some aspects that make the difference between the Bihor company and other similar companies.

Perspectives and policies What are the future plans of these ambitious Oradea people who stubbornly lived and developed in a quite hostile economic envi-

ronment, a globalized economy in which competition is increasingly fierce?

The answer comes directly from the company’s general manager, engineer Ion Sere[:

As we declared in our company’s manifesto, we strongly believe in the endurance of this company as we believe in our people and their capacity to work and to mobilize, as shown in many difficult moments.

We wish to keep developing our abilities, so that besides taking part in the technical optimization of our products together with our clients, to become able to provide in the future full product design services, to maintain complex processes for the development of subassemblies and products for all our fields: automotive, electronics, electrotechnical.

We believe that permanently investing in technology is a must in order to keep up with our competitors, who nowadays are not just traditional Romanian companies, but practically any company in the world with a similar activity. This is no easy task, because we are a Romanian privately owned company which competes with Western corporations that have much more consistent material resources.

We will continue our participations to fairs and exhibitions both in the country (despite their small number) and abroad. We are traditional participants to Expo Plast Bucharest, but also to Fakuma in Friedrichshafen or Euromold in Frankfurt. This year, we will take part for the first time to Automechanika in Frankfurt and Automotive Hungary in Budapest.

We are staunch in our beliefs that despite the skyrocketing of the Internet or mobile phones, face to face meetings between people and an honest handshake between two business partners are the key to a successful cooperation Ion Sereş, Plastor SA Oradea General Manager There are many reasons for which some companies endure, while others fall into oblivion. Plastor of Oradea found a way to exist and develop in its first one hundred years. We wish it to celebrate its second centennial with as many accomplishments!

eng. Lavinia Popuş Head of the Marketing Department at Plastor SA November 2015

English Issue

A 19

Romanian brands

ICPE ACTEL S.A.

The year 1950 is the start for electric drives department work of the Institute of Electrical Engineering Bucharest, known as ICPE, special established in that year to serve the young Romanian energy system, activity that is continued in the present by ICPE ACTEL’s team.

I

n 2015 ACTEL celebrated 65 years of uninterrupted activity in the field of electrical power drive systems, dedicated to onshore and offshore drilling, energy and also industrial sectors, certified by the national pioneering and beyond, from the earliest years of existence.

Who is today ICPE ACTEL? In 1992, ICPE ACTEL is separated from ICPE and becomes an independent company through privatization and in 1999 acquired the status of open joint stock company with 100% Romanian capital.

Starting with 2006, the export of electrical drive equipment for offshore and onshore drilling and also for power plants becomes the predominant activity of ICPE ACTEL S.A. (approx. 70% of turnover).

Details of the product range Products manufactured by ICPE ACTEL include high tech solutions highly customized, techniques with modern digital control and data acquisition systems, especially appreciated by users in order to increas energy efficiency and energy security. The equipment is accompanied by attractive services from consulting, commissioning, maintenance, up to training.

Representative types of equipment made by ICPE ACTEL are:  Electric equipment for supply, command and control for offshore and onshore drilling rigs  Specifically controlled electrical drives by D.C. and A.C. motors  Static excitation equipments for power plants  Charger storage battery rectifiers  Capacitors automatic battery derivation low voltage The products are certified on the regular domains accredited by local institutions and European notified.

 Equipment for onshore drilling, Siberia (Russia)

20  English Issue November 2015

ICPE ACTEL's products & services - dedicated fields The areas in which today ICPE ACTEL produce turnkey solutions and products are of strategic importance to any national economy, namely: generating, transport and controlled supply with electrical energy of the equipment for offshore and onshore drilling, generating, transport and distribution of electricity for industry, providing energy efficiency throughout the chain from producer to consumer. The company holds certifications assigned by Romanian authorities for domains as energy, railway and naval.

Existing facilities details, components used ICPE ACTEL is provided with a modern production area which is equipped with stands for factory tests in order to establish the compliance of the final product.

Subassemblies of the product are professional components, they have European CE marking and are purchased from the European Community. Partnership relations, have become traditional, with companies such as Schneider, Siemens, Moeller, Logstrup, AllenBradley, BARTEC Group, recommends ICPE ACTEL products for compliance, availability, maintainability, flexibility and high efficiency.

About the team The highest force of ICPE ACTEL is the team of 74 employees with an average age of 35 years. 40% are university graduates, all researchers, including 3 PhD engineers and 2 PhD-students engineers. The other 60% are persons with secondary education, complemented with post-secondary training.

External partners Besides indirect exports, made through-out drilling equipment constructors or drilling contractors or constructors of power plants, ICPE ACTEL has exported to firms like: Alstom Grid, Washington Group International, OMV Petrom, Arcellor Mittal, Logstrup, etc.

 Equipment commissioning on offshore drilling rig, ATLAS

Geographical areas and special characteristics ICPE ACTEL equipment destinations are the most diverse: Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Libya, Indonesia, France, Iraq, UAE, India, Iraq, Turkey, Moldova, Kenya, Thailand and Nigeria. Almost every location means standards conditions, to which are added the specific climate conditions.

Exports of high-security equipment made in onshore or offshore areas with very different climatic conditions imposed specific additional features to the standard product. The presence of complex systems for onshore drilling located beyond the Arctic Circle in Siberia (Russia), in collaboration with UPETROM 1 Mai Ploiesti, imposed the need for components to withstand tempera0 tures -55 C, when the equipment delivered for Iraq and Kenya have been designed for extreme climatic conditions specific to the desert, aiming including maintenance. A

n Equipment for onshore drilling, desert in Iraq

Interview with Mr. Ion Potârniche, Ph.D. Eng., ICPE ACTEL General Manager A What recommends the products of ICPE ACTEL? Ion Potârniche: In the '80s, how many European countries could be proud to have 7 offshore platforms which was whole build with Romanian technology? Lets remaind them: GLORY, FORTUNE, HORISONT; JUPITER; PROMETEU, ATLAS, SATURN. More than likely none!

How many same prophile companies can assert that have in their product portfolio full iterative solutions set of traditional areas, which crossed related revolutions in the field of power electronics, started from magnetic amplifier, followed by thyristor converters and finally IGBT? Not so many!

How many companies can say that currently upgrading the equipment they were developed decades ago with the status of national and even world premieres? Very few!

ICPE ACTEL's professionalism is well known in Romania and abroad, and for which the customes in various fields turn to our experience for advice and diagnosis of technical phenomena that arise problems. Knowledge of technological processes and studying their most hidden details directly from beneficiaries, is the source of "inspiration" who are always on the basis of new custom solutions developed by ICPE ACTEL.The full range of services accompanying our products, from consulting, commissioning, maintenance, to traning, enhances the beneficiary trust in the real competence of ICPE ACTEL’s specialists.

Reviewing the specific of supply with (2 ... 5) isolated micropower plants or electric lines 6, 10, 20 kV and / or dual, the main engines of the technology types under the user equipment, which can vary in number 2-11 for a drilling site, it led to a complex new electrical system with new blocks and new functions, such as Power Management System, Motor Control Center, equipment for power factor correction and filtering harmonics, distribution modular flexible, desks and chief driller ergonomic cabin, etc. Also, if the team since 1960 achieved the outfitting chain of hydropower plants on the Bistrita Valley, a few years ago current team engaged in replacing old equipment still in working order but the old parameters project, by the new technique equipment, with numerical control and increased energy efficiency.

A What can you tell us about the achievements of ICPE ACTEL? I.P.: The common characteristic of all types of products made

by ICPE ACTEL is improved efficiency energy, accomplished for the whole chain, from producer to end user. This was achieved through fine analysis of all processes, complete with new subassemblies and assemblies electric diagrams, practically with new types of products, integrated into the classics.

The results were translated into higher yields, minimum volume, flexibility, adaptability, easy maintenance, ergonomics, financial, energy and resources savings. The result consists in new products, with new features.

Here that, in recent years, ICPE ACTEL has been involved in upgrading of the mentioned offshore drilling rigs, for promoting the use of A.C. motors, at the expense of D.C. motors, for many advantages, long expected.

A What are your goals for the future?

I.P.: We are prepared for future challenges. We are confident in our team of scientists, specialists, including marketing, that is using innovation as a tool for real progress, based on the degree of experience and know-how. Consequently, we maintain our current market and development of new products and new markets.

Ensuring energy efficiency remains a strong purpose. It is the reason that ICPE ACTEL’s voice is considered an important guiding mark in the spectrum of the areas it serves.

Important premises are created that ICPE ACTEL actively participates in the project to implement smart grid concept.

A goal required for a strong economy is the generalization of power plants using different types of biomass. We have all advantages to start the partnership actions in this area.

We always consider creating new partnerships and widening bridges with specialists in related fields.

It can be estimated that 90% of the Romanian energy system is achieved with ICPE ACTEL's equipment as static excitation systems for synchronous generators and numeric rectifiers for charging stationary batteries, under the hydroelectric power plants or substations. Also largely exported of these are appreciated in France, India, Iraq, Turkey, Moldova, Kenya, Thailand.

We believe that regular contact with traditional and prospective beneficiaries is absolutely necessary for the viability of the ICPE ACTEL brand. In this respect, the annual symposium organized by ICPE ACTEL, with international participation, which invite users, businessmen, professors in higher education, representatives of the relevant authorities is a framework for constructive dialogue since 2004.

November 2015

English Issue

A 21

Romanian brands

Electroalfa

a strong Romanian brand Electroalfa has 23 years of experience in the production of electrical equipment and management of turnkey projects, and recognized as one of the significant players on the relevant market.

S

tarting with a small workshop in Boto[ani producing electric meters, the company grew steadily on the Romanian market. Thanks to a united team of specialists that grew from one year to another, and investments in state of the art technologies, the company expanded its production capacities, set up factories in Boto[ani, nationwide production facilities, and developed competitive products and services.

A 100 Romanian owned company, Electroalfa means today:

n 3 modern production factories in Boto[ani (electric products, compact transformer points, ironworks);

n Nationwide production facilities and dealerships; n The own Research and Development Centre, which includes a Product Testing laboratory;

22 A English Issue November 2015

n 38 million turnover in 2013; n a strong brand based on the experience, qualification and enthusiasm of 380 professionals.

Electroalfa manufactures performing low and medium voltage electric equipments that optimize electricity consumption, namely: distribution boards Dismod PCC, automation and actuation boards Dismod MCC, power factor compensation plants, electric cells for primary and secondary distribution, compact transformer stations in concrete and metallic bays, cell retrofitting.

The Ironworks manufactures standard products (industrial switchboxes and cabinets, metallic furniture) and on order, including metallic structures for photovoltaic farms.

The most important thing this year is to reach our export targets, since we are developing important projects aimed at increasing the competitiveness of low voltage and ironworks products on the international market. The internal market and energy sector remain promising markets for us, taking into account the needs for the upgrade of energy distribution, transmission and production in Romania.

Petruș Cîndea, Electroalfa General Manager Electroalfa is a general entrepreneur that designs and executes complex, turnkey projects, such as: modernization works at transformer stations, industrial and civil power plants, electric automation installations (SCADA), UPS or generator set backup, overhead and underground lines, etc.

Electroalfa develops in Romania projects to produce electricity by the conversion of solar power by means of photovoltaic cells. The company set up a photovoltaic farm in Rediu, Boto[ani.

The farm has been operating since November 2012 and has a nominal installed power of 3.5 MW. The Electroalfa customer portfolio covers the following fields: civil, administrative and industrial buildings (LJG Building Solutions Alpha - contractor Sky Tower, the Lia Manoliu National Stadium of Bucharest, the BNR Sport Arenas, Iulius Mall Ia[i, the St. Spiridon Emergency Clinical Hospital of Ia[i, RATB), energy (CEZ Distribution, Eon Distribution Moldova, Electrica), industry (OMV Petrom, Carpatcement Holding) and infrastructure (ROMGAZ Media[, Apa Nova, Metrorex, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, CET Boto[ani).

Its main export markets are: Switzerland, France, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Poland, Norway or Burkina Faso.

The affirmation of the company and continuous rise were based on the anticipation of future market needs. The attraction of the best specialists in the field, the investments carried out, the approaching of new markets, the orientation to continuous development were the basic stepping stones of the company’s evolution over time.

A company with a long tradition in its field, Electroalfa is known for its quality and reliability. The investments dedicated to research, technological development and innovation reinforce the Electroalfa brand into a strong business.

The most recent investments are the Research and Development Centre and the modernization of the Ironworks. The Research and Development Centre involved an investment of nearly 4 million Euro and consists in a Prototype

Workshop, which manufactures new products, and also a laboratory for dust, heat, fog, salt or water testing. Approx. 4.9 million Euro was invested in technologies and software applications in the Ironworks and in the expansion with two halls of the production floor. These investments are partly funded from European grants. Besides these investments, the Ironworks was subject to an upgrade of production facilities and office spaces.

Electroalfa is considering investments in the expansion and mo­dernization of the Medium Voltage production facility, where electric cells for primary and secondary distribution cells are built.

On an increasingly competitive market, with specific customer requirements, the company’s attention is focused on optimizing products and adding new portfolio products designed in-house or by purchasing of licenses. Future plans include the increase of exports by expanding the business Africa, Eastern Europe, the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.

More information on Electroalfa is available on: www.electroalfa.ro November 2015

English Issue

A 23

Romanian brands

Minex România, 20 years of experience in the industry T

he Minex group of companies, one of the main local suppliers of integrated solutions for surface treatment, reached a turnover of nearly 10 million euro in 2014. The perspectives for 2015 are positive, especially thanks to contracting some significant maritime and off-shore works. In 2014, Minex managed, together with Dutch partners, to generate more projects abroad. They were aimed at the field of paint shops, ventilation systems and dehumidification. To this extent, the company carries out projects in Norway, Portugal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Holland, Poland, Azerbaidjan, and permanently cooperates with and supplies foreign partners with design and project management services. Below is a short interview with Mr. Mircea Minea, CEO of Minex Romania, which touches subjects related to the Romanian industry and the short and long term strategy of the company.

Interview with Mr. Mircea Minea, CEO of Minex România

What do you believe is the new role of Romania in the context of increased relocation of production processes from Western Europe to BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China)?

Mircea Minea: Although the current situation is not exactly

enviable, I believe Romania should follow the dominant industrial trend of Eastern Europe and develop own production capacities. The migration of industrial processes to the BRIC countries is increasingly frequent, but I don’t think it will affect high complexity products or those products which would eventually become difficult to sell due to high transportation costs.

What do you think are the prospects of the Romanian industry in the years to come?

Mircea Minea: The potential of the industrial sector depends

significantly of external demand and governmental policy.

It is absolutely imperative to initiate job and investment friendly infrastructure projects for the medium and long term.

Moreover, the state should streamline and increase the pace 24 A English Issue November 2015

of EU funds absorption, fight against informal work and reduce tax evasion – critical measures required to ensure the stability and development of the economy as a whole.

Ho does Minex adapt to the international context and what is the medium and long term strategy of the company?

Mircea Minea: In short, we invest in people and equip-

ment. Maintaining our leadership on the internal market and approaching international markets require constant innovation.

We are already exporting know-how through design services provided to partner companies, while at the same time developing own production capacities for our equipment. We are supported in this endeavour by our Dutch partners, who we cooperate with in external projects that allow us to increase our machinery exports.

Innovation in the design and assembly of Minex products is absolutely required, since the world market is very competitive. Additionally, we are strongly developing our distribution

program, trying to establish new applications or bring special products designed for other market segments, different than those usually served until now.

The fast development of the automotive sector in the past years provides us with new market niches, especially for complex painting systems (multi-component paints), adhesive or sealant accretion systems, polyurea application equipments or various special foams for hydro-insulations, more sophisticated sandblasting technologies.

The main advantages for the users consist in the reliability of the products and their energy efficiency, and not least, the fact that they address the particular needs of all customers.

All fields have their niches, needs or new applications gene­ rated by the current situation, and Minex undertakes to come with clear and practical solutions thereto.

What is the technological advantage of the products you intend to manufacture and sell in the following years?

Mircea Minea: The advantages of Minex’s own products

We already delivered own products and design, assembly and service solutions for the European market (Holland, Norway, Portugal, Estonia, Poland, Iceland, Bulgaria), as well as more distant countries (Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Turkey).

We are now developing specific projects for ventilation and dehumidification equipments for the Asian maritime market.

consist in its 20 years of experience and cooperation with world leaders in our field.

Our know-how allows us to design and manufacture pro­ ducts that meet particular demands of our customers in the maritime sector or the wider sector of ironworks.

We have positive expectations from our sister company in Bulgaria, which started to show promising results following a restructuring since 2014. This is driving us to consider expanding towards other neighbouring markets.

November 2015

English Issue

A 25

Romanian dynamic companies

Made in Romania: iPAD solutions

Initiatives, commitment, determination, perspiration, search, and so on. These are the “engines” which led iPAD company to achieve remarkable results. The combination of activities from design to execution, assembly, tests, service led to increasingly varied products in very different fields. Meeting the customer demands ensures the future of the company, including by approaching complex structures. Improvement, permanent enrichment of knowledge and the seriousness of the team also warrant success in the future. n 14 years of operation n 90 people n 20 digitally controlled machine tools n 8,000 sqm of land n 7 new production facilities n 2,500 sqm production area n Approx. 16 million RON turnover

This is one possible description of iPAD – iP AUTOMATIC DESIGN, located in Lunca Corbului, on the national road linking Pite[ti with Slatina and Craiova, between Dacia and Ford. Or should I describe what we managed to do with these resources?

Maybe that will give you a clearer picture about us, iPAD. We are working a great deal for the automotive industry, but also have orders in industries like aerospace or fashion articles. Most of our projects are custom built and require mechanical design, automation, pneumatic and hydraulic actuation, manufacturing of mechanical parts, assembly, testing, disassembly (for modification), reassembly, commissioning, delivery, customer service.

It is a very complex and often under pressure activity.

Our works are typically based on specific customer requirements to which we find apply an iPAD solution.

We have just delivered to a foreign customer in the premium automotive industry a full line for Diesel and petrol tank assembly. The new iPAD concept was gladly accepted by the customer.

Of course there were many issues to be solved during the project, and of course we had to modify many things as we went along, but now other 2 similar assembly lines will follow. This time, with some additional automation – fully automated supply and removal of parts, with portal robots made by iPAD. And speaking of robots, we have delivered and are currently working to full robot automation solutions. The so-called robotic

26 A English Issue November 2015

cells, where certain difficult, dangerous or strenuous operations are taken over by robots. Of course, such a cell is about much more than a plugged robot. We have to prepare the functional concept of the cell, design and build the parts access and removal ways, usually motorized conveyor belts, and also deliver parts clamping devices or special tools in certain cases.

Development, expansion

A very important element is the robot gripper, which is designed and built by us. We even brought dimensional cell measuring solutions with 0.01 mm accuracy, also designed by iPAD. The integration of these cells in the general production line, considering all the operational safety, upstream and downstream integration aspects, were also resolved by us.

An already advanced project consists precisely in the manufacturing of specialized machine tools for this production type.

This idea came to my mind a few years ago, but I kept postponing since we did not have a suitable frame manufacturing solution available. Now, this problem is fixed by developing a metal sheet high definition plasma cutting department and a digitally controlled bending machine. I hope I will be soon able to deliver the first parts turned on an iPAD machine tool – made in Romania.

In conclusion, I would like to say that all these things were made possible by a lot of work, passion, patience and determination.

Another iPAD strength is the design and manufacturing of hydraulic clamping devices for the parts to be subjected to mass production splintering processes. We have more than 10 years experience in this field and we resolved very diverse issues so far. Since 2004, we delivered more than 100 special clamping devices. Some are being used even as we speak.

Special projects such as the automatic mushroom trimming machine, chute hooks manufacturing machines for the construction industry, parts deburring machines, bucket handles manufacturing machines, welding devices, measuring and control devices, are all part of our product portfolio.

By taking advantage of our experience, we were able to also manufacture solutions for the restoration of digitally controlled machine tools, even including the replacement of the digital control units, replacement and correction of guideways, restoration of cases, and alignment to current security requirements. In addition, we had the opportunity to deliver full turnkey solutions to large scale manufacturers of parts.

These solutions consist in digitally controlled machine tools, clamping devices, tools, processing programs, service – iPAD solutions.

At the time of reading this article, we would have definitely completed the last 600 sqm facility, where we planned a mass production line for parts turning and cutting. The beginning of next year will see the delivery of parts manufactured at this very facility.

I am glad to say: YES, WE CAN DO IT! I sincerely hope that things will soon turn for the better at top level in our country, in order to revive education and vocational training. We are very focused on this as far as we are concerned. More than 15% of the employees started from ground up, and some are now working on complex 5-axis digitally controlled machine tools.

Presentations of iPAD – iP AUTOMATIC DESIGN are available at: n https://youtu.be/1YNuur1e3-U n https://youtu.be/Mu77I3dRLs8 I hope the Romanian industrial sector will develop harmonious, to pave the way of young people to a responsible, decent and fulfilled life. No further than here, in Romania, our country.

Ion PĂTRAȘCU, engineer, iPAD General Manager www.iPAD.ro November 2015

English Issue

A 27

Romanian dynamic companies

MICROMET

a family business T

January 1999 is the birth date of SC MICROMET SA Focșani, a company that selected as its motto: “WE PROVE IT’S POSSIBLE”, since we, Romanians, have an inclination to engineering, despite being less experienced than other highly industrialized European countries.

oday, Micromet is a family business with a turnover that will soon exceed 2 million Euro and 60 employees, has an well-established manufacturing profile while being open to new challenges.

We seek not to do everything, but to do well whatever is that we are doing, and we believe we mostly succeeded in that, as proven by the 20-30% annual average increase of turnover and profit.

Our activity consists in the processing of metals by splintering, the design of high precision processes, usually small sized (that would fit a 500 mm cube and a weight that usually does not exceed 100 kg).

Past vs. Present In the beginning, we worked a lot for the steel industry (back when work still could be found), we produced, and still are, a very wide range of watering nozzles and cooling plants for continuous casting, and a wide range of dosage plants with heavy grease. The initial equipment did not allow much else anyway. We counted on a few cutters, lathes, universal grinding machines; the working environment was not conducive to quality work either (we worked in a hall prone to rain infiltration).

Today, after 15 years from creation, the situation is much different, being able to take orders in a great deal of fields thanks to our cutting edge equipments: n 15 German and American-made latest generation turning centres for profiling and cutting; n a controlled atmosphere laboratory, a 3D measuring machine, projector, column and the entire range of Swiss-made AMCs;

28 A English Issue November 2015

at prices set exclusively by us, says a lot in our opinion about our seriousness in dealing with our partners.

Even if our prices are above the market level, the customers confirmed they chose us thanks to the high quality of our products and deadlines, which the competition cannot match.

The Micromet company did not emerge following some intricate market or feasibility analysis, etc., but as the need of a group of a people to earn a living without help from the others and by adhering to the motto selected back in 1998, by the leaving of a few shareholders after the break-up of another company – privatized in 1993 by the MEBO method.

n more than 30 regular processing machines (lathes, cutters, coordinates processing machines, a 100 tf press, grinding machines); n water-jet cutting machines; n latest generation CIF plant; n quality welding equipment for: steel, aluminium, copper, stainless steels, etc.; n grinding on turning centres – small sizes with an accuracy below 0.01 mm; n grinding in coordinates with an accuracy under 0.01 mm; n test benches for nozzles and hydraulics, up to 320 atm; n programmable band saw; n own IT system for production monitoring; n an approx. 3000 m2 production facility fitted with everything that is required for ensuring a microclimate suited to the manufacturing processes (all turning centres are fitted with advanced air purification units); n a customized payroll, depending on the quality and quantity of the work.

What we do is very similar to a former tooling shop, with the difference that now we tackle many other fields. We went from a mainly steel profile to other fields: pharmacy, food, energy, aeronautics, etc.

Today, despite our small size, we are important to our market, a fact proven by the many orders we receive.

The products manufactured by Micromet SA Foc[ani go to the USA, France, Germany (more than 15 companies), Switzerland, Sweden, Holland, Greece and other major industrial companies active in Romania.

The fact that the direct beneficiaries choose the Micromet pro­ ducts over those of our competitors, and the fact that we have lots of beneficiaries who order customized and small series products,

Immediately after the breakup, the company had a majority shareholder in the person of the undersigned STAN GHEORGHE – today the owner of the entire share package. You cannot own and run a business without having control and decision making powers. Who was never part of a joint stock company in which the shareholders want dividends rather than make investments will never understand this situation.

After the break up, things were simple: I took a few decisions to keep me out of trouble with the company I had just broken up with. I remind just two of them, which I believe were instrumental in getting where we are today: 1 – full re-investment of the profit, and 2 – no bank loans (the interest in 1993-1997 was really scary).

Now, 15 years from setting up the company, I still have not given up these decisions (and I don’t intend to in the near future).

Maybe if 20% of the profit goes into dividends now, it will not affect the financial standing of the company too much.

Glance to the future In everything we do, whether we do it as simple people or business people, I believe it is very important to be motivated, to really want to do something and do everything to make it happen. Personally, I have these motivations. The job that I chose for myself became a hobby. I saw many countries (visiting my partners), but there’s no place I feel better than in my workshop.

It’s the place where I can stay for 24 hours a day without feeling bored.

Now, at 65 years old, I have to prepare my business for what comes next. GOD wanted that thing were good. One of my boys has already been with me for 4 years, Adrian – aged 36, who already can replace me and who took over the entire IT activities of the company (no company can develop without an IT department). He is a software engineer with 10 years experience in companies in the US, Canada, France, Thailand, Singapore and other European countries. He created the software required for the smooth operation of the company, adapted to our profile and  November 2015

English Issue

A 29

Romanian dynamic companies  accessible by our employees without requiring too much specialization, my role being limited to sharing my 40-year experience and finding resources to fill the generation gap, which is a reality in any field. However, he who doesn’t trust the young has little chances to build something on the long term.

I joined the MICROMET team 10 years ago. When all the employers were looking for experienced people, Mr. Stan was looking for graduates to train in the “MICROMET” style: serious and always eager to better themselves.

He is applying the same principle now. If others were patient to me, now it’s my turn to implement the continuous training concept among the young employees. The development and rejuvenation of the company goes faster than I expected. I believe that together with Mr. Stan’s son and my young colleagues, we are unstoppable.

I grew up together with the company, and today I have the important role of Quality Manager. For us, quality is not action, it’s a habit. Making quality products is the strongest defence against competition and the only way towards sustainable development and constant revenue.

I am proud to be part of this “family”, but most of all I’m proud to see that the parts that went through my hands go to prestigious companies all over the world. The quality policy we are pursuing means the customers, not the products, are always coming back. dipl. eng. Adina NEAGU In very little time, our team will be joined by my older son – Ionu], 41 years old – financial expert, cybernetics graduate, with an experience of more than 15 years in multinational companies.

If someone asks today whether we are satisfied with what we achieved, we can say without a shadow of a doubt YES.

We have a family business that is worth being continued.

The answer to the simple questions: “how did we do it?” is equally simple: work, seriousness, perseverance, patience and a little luck, things that our competitors have as well, but not at the same level as us.

What do we want to do next? A LOT. Something we are dreaming about now – in the meantime we are waiting some clarifications about accessing European funds – is to start an investment for a new factory, initially expected to 3 million euro. We have experience in this field from the 2008-2014 period, when we implemented 6 smaller projects that exceeded together more than 1 million Euro in grants, most of them being passed the monitoring period.

We already bought the land (20,000 m2) on which we want to develop the business in the following 20 to 30 years; we are not considering changing our trade, we stick to our first love: METAL PROCESSING.

Conclusion It’s hard to include the concerns of a lifetime in just one page or two, but we proved that it’s possible to develop a business starting from the market needs and the possibilities at any given time.

Along the years, we managed to: n not do business with the State (Micromet doesn’t have and never had orders paid from the State budget). n never have bank loans, not even a credit line; n never used illegal labour or the minimum wage; n always pay the salaries to employees on the payment day, with no exception; n pay all our state dues (not a small amount) without the slightest delay; n to invest in our safety and that of our families; n earn our money from exports.

For some big industry hot shots, the above may not mean much, but for me, a small entrepreneur, it is SOMETHING!

Gheorghe STAN, General Manager, Micromet SA 30 A English Issue November 2015

DBV Research - over 10 years of revolutionary inventions

Since 1993 we have been delivering unique technical solutions with a global approach of each and every project. Besides the fact that we are renowned for our research and innovation proposals in national auctions, we have successfully participated in various conventions abroad.

J

ust one example would be the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, where we gained notoriety by obtaining two gold medals and one silver in the 1998 edition. Locally, we are recognized by the Ministry of Research and Development through a title which we acquired in 1995.

Our portfolio covers a wide range of industries, including but not limited to automotive, transportation, nautical, agriculture, construction energy recovery and natural resources exploitation.

Our invention Expandable container TRIVOL We use the recycled material obtained from shipping containers that are out of use. By means of simple technological procedures we transform the packaging container with repeated use in expandable volumes.

We use a new expansion concept based on a ”floating deformable parallelogram mechanism”.

How expandable mechanism works: Two floating defor­ mable parallelogram mechanisms and a rotating support bar fitted below each chamber are required to obtain an expandable TRIVOL container. One of the bars receives a rotating moment and moves the chamber by rack-pinion effect. The other chamber moves symmetrically driven by the two gears.

OPOC Engine DBV The OPOC -DBV concept opens the way to a new generation of OPOC engines. The concept is completely different from conventional systems, proposing a courageous arrangement of the connecting rods, tilted sideways. First of all, any errors related to execution as well as those occurring during operation no longer affect the operation of the engines. Its construction is extremely simple because it can be assembled without screws.

The volumetric compressor transfers the compressed air through the center of the external piston, through the linear pocket directly into the combustion chamber exactly when needed. The transfer of the compressed air also takes on the cooling function of the piston head and pre-heats the air admitted into the combustion chamber.

The recovery of the energy from exhaust gas is ensured by an electric turbo-generator. The OPOC-DBV engine becomes a compact engine with power specific to conventional engines charac­ terized by simple construction and excellent specific powers.

Portal Scanner DBV Expandable house TRIVOL The technical solutions according to the new concept were deve­ loped based on the following: n Solving the bending resistance. n Simplified construction: The solutions of the new concept enable: obtaining floor space specific to residential houses or other collective activities. Through symmetrical expansion, we obtain a usable surface of approximately 90 sqm from the 40 feet container, and a usable surface of approximately 120 sqm from the 53 feet container. it is possible to completely recycle the 40, 45, 53 feet shipping containers and to use them entirely as recycled materials. no built-in expansion mechanism is required, nor an on-board power source. it is a product of low complexity and can be set up by any team with average training with the aid of standard tools. it has a very low production price per unit of habitable surface. the installation time is very short and it can be easily relocated, when necessary.

1 2 3 4 5 6

In the current stage, the scanner is an assembly able to generate a radiography of the actual state of a given body.

The scanner, by means of its specific features, transmits information that helps detect objects with increased hazard potential.

It can be used to detect objects in freight transport trucks, vehicles with booby traps, or objects on or in the ground.

The scanner can also be used for identifying damages to special land vehicles.

By comparing the radiography of the actual state with the radio­ graphy of the initial state, it is possible to make decisions regar­ ding repairs before actual dismantling.

November 2015

English Issue

A 31

Romanian dynamic companies

DINAMIC SRL - full solutions for the development and manufacturing of plastic articles We began our activity modestly in 1991, with two low capacity injection machines.

Year after year, we invested in injection and extrusion-blowing machines, regular milling and cutting machines, mechanical presses, grinding machines, and then state of the art machines for mechanical processing (machine tools and CNC electro-erosion processing machines).

L

ast year, in 2014, we implemented a major investment project funded under EU grants. Despite initial apprehensions, the success of this project on our own, without the assistance of specialists trained in the design and preparation of projects, makes us encourage others to develop businesses using European money, because it’s worth it and can be done.

As far as we are concerned, except some delays in assessing the project and communicating the result, there were no other major obstacles. It goes without saying that it wasn’t easy, but it was worth it: the grant component weighed a lot in the financing of the project, and the cutting edge machines that we are using now cut our energy costs and increased our productivity and product quality.

The main activity of the company is the manufacturing of plastic articles. We are using advanced injection machines, with varied technical features and injection capacities from 1-2g to 1500 g (photo 1). The training over time of good specialists, combined with constant upgrading and investments in advanced equipment oriented us towards highly technical components (parts for the automotive industry, power networks, medical equipment, advertising materials, etc.), the beneficiaries being well-known companies in their respective fields.

From the drawing board to mass production In our vision, mass production is only the last stage of a successful project, albeit a very important one, because it is the pinnacle of all the work carried out beginning with the drawing board. This is actually the main idea behind our policy, that is to develop the product from scratch to delivery and to integrate all the stages: idea, 3D design, prototyping by 3D printing, prototyping by injection moulding (when applicable), design of matrixes for mass production, simulation of mould filling, mould building and, in the end, mass production. It’s a simple idea, but fixes a lot:

n PHOTO 1. Plastic injection machine

n PHOTO 2. ICT machine

32 A English Issue November 2015

we have the entire process under control, and the customer is no longer in the position to treat separately with a designer, then with a mould supplier, and then with a plastic processing plant.

That means more time saving for us and less expenses and strain for the customer.

By developing these two new activities, we managed to: manufacture moulds, engineering in the field of plastics by investments in technologies and human resources alike, to develop the product from the drawing board to delivery. On demand, we also provide pad printing services, mould maintenance, assembly, tests and trials in or laboratory (photo 2).

Developing a product from scratch requires the following stages, according to its complexity: n Establishing the product requirements The following are established: aspect, functional parameters, sizes, material, colour, etc., as well as the fabrication deadlines.

In any new project, our role is to identify the requirements of the customer, to propose new ideas and suggestions which may overcome constraints and ultimately improve the final product. n Design (3D modelling) The requirements come in the shape of a design (3D model) or physical design, 2D drawings, drawings or oral description.

Before the design stage, and for some complex projects, even in the procurement stage, we use mould filling simulation (photo 3).

This stage is very important for guaranteeing the functioning of the injection moulds from the very first attempt. Thus, the delivery deadline and cost estimates are complied with, avoiding corrections to the injection system or the cooling system. Moreover, one can estimate the contractions, the distortions after extraction from the mould or the injection defects, such as welding lines or lack of ventilation. The mould filling simulation (CAE) is carried out using finite element analysis (FEA), with databases containing more than 5000 plastic materials, hundreds of materials for mould fabrication and the operational parameters for most of the injection machines currently used. The design environment used is Creo Parametric (Pro E), but we can exchange information with all the collaborators having a 3D design system. n Fabrication of prototypes This stage is optional and usually recommended in the following situations: n complex products requiring special assembly or testing (mechanical resistance, electrical insulation for high voltages); n dimension drawings or presentation products, where physical shape has a higher impact than 2D or even 3D drawings; n small series of parts which do not justify the manufacturing of highly complex matrixes, even if the price of parts injected in prototype matrixes is much higher.

n PHOTO 3. Mould filling simulation We can manufacture prototypes in the following variants: 1. 3D printing (stereolithography); obtaining the product without a matrix. The parts are very useful for dimensional assessment, for assembly trials, aspect assessment, etc. The material is similar to ABS. 2. The preparation of a prototype matrix, that can be used to manufacture small series, parts that can be subjected to all trials, corrections and even major modifications can be made, everything at a lower cost than with a mass production matrix.

All materials can be injected, the only current limitation being the parts size (max 200x100x70 mm). n Manufacturing of moulds, matrixes and devices We produce highly complex moulds (matrixes) sized approx.

800x600x500 mm (photo 4). In most cases, we produce the designs of the matrixes we work with. To process moulds and devices, we use modern CNC cutting and electro-erosion machines (photo 5). The fabrication period of a matrix is 3 to 6 weeks from ordering, depending on complexity.

This is followed by tests and trials on the products, validation of the preparation for fabrication and of the parts (type-approval), fabrication of the “zero" batch, then introduction in mass production.

n PHOTO 4. 12 cavities injection mould

n PHOTO 5. Electro-erosion machines with massive electrode

Always close to our customers Our mission is to provide our customers with quality products, enabling us to become a reliable and preferred supplier of injection moulded plastics and injection moulds. We believe that quality is the most important competitive asset. We manage the requirements of our customers with the utmost seriousness and professionalism and strive to give top value to all our delivers. Our competitive advantage consists in short reaction times, elimination of additional links (transport, documentation, communication), corrections and real time revisions, maintenance for the remaining operational matrixes.

SC DINAMIC SRL is developing on the basis of the Sustainable Development concept, translated into the focus on customer expectations and protection of the environment. for this, we decided to implement the Quality-Environment integrated management framework (SMI), based on the SR EN ISO 9001:2008 and SR EN ISO 14001:2005 standards, a system that has been under operation since 2006.

The recipe for success consists in giving all due respect to customers and own employees, those who make everything possible by fully assimilating the company culture. Building the loyalty of employees, promotion to management positions of in-house employees, moral and material support, good working conditions are permanent concerns of the company management.

Rodica DRUGEA , Dinamic SRL Economic Director www.dinamic.ro November 2015

English Issue

A 33

Romanian dynamic companies

PROCAM SRL - Who are we or How we see ourselves, as everybody sees different

Procam company began its activity in 1999 by a joint venture of the current company partners, the undersigned, Radu Tufan and Adrian Cioată, both engineers – one is a graduate of Electronics of Iaşi, the other is a TCM graduate in Cluj, in order to create a company producing precision mechanical parts machined by metal splintering, as well as parts for specific customers: the German industrial market. We had a reliable customer – an import-expert brokering company, led by a husband and wide (he was German, she was a Saxon originating of Sibiu). by an acquaintance of his (with an industrial computer and actuators from Hungary). I liked the idea. I’ve analyzed for a week or two and I said to myself that was a good start. So I started my manufacturing join venture with Mr. Cioat` in April 1999, with his trading company.

Radu Tufan

Adrian Cioată

W

e began our engineering career as interns appointed (last appointment was immediately after the Revolution) to a loom manufacturer in our city. There we met, we suffered cold and hunger, learned our trade, and got our passion for engineering. Those were the '90s. I worked as a commissioning engineer, and after a while, as electric/electronics designer, while Mr. Cioat` worked as programming engineer on digital machine tools, and later became head of department there.

Life separated us in ’93. I got into trading and minded my own business, although I was fed up with inspections, paperwork, authorizations, long and frequent drives. During this time, my colleague, Mr. Cioat`, stayed at the factory for a long number of years.

How the business started Years passed. At one point, I started looking for business ideas, but other than commerce. I took a subscription with Capital and Idei de Afaceri. I went to TIB a few times with Mr. Cioat`, and he suggested to buy a used, Russian machine that was to be updated

We had lost the first opportunities, when good machines were bought for pennies, when one could take tools by the truckload, at junkyard prices, when you could buy entire pieces of the factory on the spot. We were lost in paperwork for a year and a half, with lawyers, notaries, authorizations, the Trade Register (the company was based in a different city), but once we started, things got in the straight line. Thus, in 2001, the company became Procam SRL, based in Târgu-Mure[, with the following business line: precision machining of metal parts. We rented a small hall from a factory with plenty of space available. In the meantime, we discovered that besides of the CNC cutter, we needed at least grinders, a lathe, a cutter, a drilling machine... We got a regular lathe and an old cutter and started restoring them on our own expense. In the meantime, the Russian machine was being rejuvenated. The man was doing that for the first time, on our money, on the first machine of that type being upgraded in our country. We were nervous, to put it mildly!

We took the machine into the hall, I hired the first worker, besides the two of us. After testing the machine, Mr. Cioat` brought the Germans to our company. They knew him from the factory, they knew what could do (at some point, he visited them in Germany too). Those were some strange Germans, at least for me! They would get in the loom factory where I used to work, watched and always asked: “Why this? Why do you use it like that? What does this do?”. We then learned they were doing the same with their German partners, then came back and learned the Romanians how Germans get things done. Since they came regularly to Romania, they began to know all the employees by name and skill level. After a long time, we found out they were at the beginning of their business, but had the advantage of knowing the Romanian industry and mentalities. And there was something else – the German way. Back then, Germans generally were apprehensive of the... far, red Eastern countries. Well, they managed to build a business that produced 1 or 2 truckloads of metal parts per week! And the business still endures today, albeit at a lower level. I will come back to them in my article, since for me and others they were a model of business people who combined professionalism, low labour costs in Romania and Romanian raw materials with German stringency.

So, let me go back: the Germans came, saw, wondered and gave us their confidence and ordered the first parts. We were a little

34 A English Issue November 2015

lucky – those were cast aluminium parts, and the city had a neat aluminium foundry. We built the wooden moulds at a carpenter, had them cast in aluminium, machined them, had the gross aluminium parts cast, machined them again, and delivered the samples one week from receiving the design. It was a great effort, but was worth it: our customers became confident, we became handy with the parts. The money was not stellar, but it was a beginning where one could say: “this is the tunnel where we could see that little light after all’’. And there was something else – 15 day payment deadline. We had a very good turnover rate, even if the profit was not great.

We had other significant setbacks that could stop us in our tracks.

We opened a bank account. The first foreign payment of 500 marks was 125 marks short. I asked for explanations from the Germans, they said it wasn’t them, sent us the bank papers – it wasn’t their fault. The bank could not explain where were the money. So we punished them and did not work with them for 10 years. After some years, when we had profit, turnover, all kinds of their fancy coefficients, they tried to lure us into becoming their customers again, but here’s another story, since working with banks/finances is my specialty and I have plenty to say.

pay rent anymore became visible. We had even more space. In the old location, visitors would say they had never seen such a crowded place...

Step by step

Years went by, we reached 15 employees (even 27 before the recession). The turnover increased when we made our own website. Then, the customers started coming. And especially Germans – the website was in Romanian and German. We started travelling in Europe to buy used machines. Let me tell you how we got used machines from a foreign company with a 3-year instalment plan.

At some point, we were invited to the presentation of a foreign company at the Chamber of Commerce. We didn’t quite know what that was about, but we went. We already needed better, faster, more energy-efficient tools, we had demand of increasingly precise parts. Well, one Romanian man was translating what the company owner was saying, but he was speaking in French.

They said what they were selling and where they came from, what was their tradition and manufacturing specialization, then invited us to dinner.

Thus, slowly, we grew up as a company, increased our labour force, managed to buy a dilapidated hall – from the Tax Authority, in monthly payments for 4 years. The State was really helpful to us then. The price was so-so, the interest, again so-so, but we could pay if over a few years. It was a turning point, we managed to move from a rented place to our own hall. The energy provider dealt us a heavy blow, and charged us with a power fee that was almost the same price as the entire hall. And not in instalments, but in a single payment... We covered it, we installed doors, metal windows, painted it, put a heating barrel in the middle, made a fibreboard desk and went into business. The fact that we didn’t

A good meal that was, I even remember my mouth watering at those food platters and the Cotnari wine. I remember this because I didn’t eat or drank anything. Everybody jumped at the food, but we directly to the owner and told him we were interested by some machines. We listened, they invited us to their company in Switzerland, showed a fee pictures sheets and told us they had around 2000 sqm filled with machines. I started from the very beginning by saying we only had money for a down-payment, but they told us to come anyway for we could surely find a way. And indeed, 2 weeks from then we arrived at their Swiss headquarter 

I end the bank story here and go back to the Germans. I hope they don’t mind for calling them like that, but it’s easier for me.

They were surprised, and probably seeing we were young and eager for work, and learned, they relied on us. They did well, since after a few years we were the only company in the region they could cooperate with and that complied with the price and quality requirements. Ten hard years followed, foreign customers did not go to small companies, we had a single customer that we depended on 99%, so the raw materials price increase was our only room for negotiation.

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Romanian dynamic companies

 and go a contract for machines with 3 year payments. I then felt

gratitude for my French teacher, and not just her. The Swiss saw we were serious, we could understand each other, and we closed the deal. Now, after 10 years, we bought another machine from them. Seen just a picture a data sheet. Paid with an advance and 2 instalments after delivery. You feel such a great satisfaction when you find honest people and when you realize your foreign partners feel the same!

Something that both my partner and I gained from the German family we were in business with for such a long time was that they taught us the German business mindset: seriousness, punctuality, swift communication of issues, long term business vision. So we learned something from the German way. But the price was dear... We worked for a small profit for years for that company. Neither I, not my partner regret it. What we learned in that period laid the basis for the long term development of the Procam business.

Today, we have 32 employees and reached 1 million euro turnover. And the profit, what can I say, for the last ten years we have been getting notifications about being the first in the country per NACE codes, or the third, or best profit... that we should go to Bucharest to shake hands with the President, or the Prime Minister, or to get some cup... But of course, the diplomas, the handshaking and the cup are all for a price, and we said to ourselves that true recognition comes from long term relationships with customers. So, we did not have any diplomas on walls, no cup on display and no picture with the President... For all the taxes we pay to the Romania State, they could as well do it for free. And here’s how I get to taxes – the pain of everyone working hard for 16 hours a day, no Saturdays, no Sundays, risking their homes and everything that can be mortgaged to get a business going. You should know that the tax is not 16%. It’s 16% + 16% (income tax + and dividend tax) + 24% VAT, + approx 66% social security contributions (33% the company, 33% employee) + City Hall taxes + energy fees + a zillion other fees I don’t even want to think about. Maybe taxes are not the bad part after all, what’s bad is to lose time to declare it. And we also lose money with those who count and take our money and income statements. Why don’t we make a single 100% tax. Just that. One tax, one income statement form, and send all those clerks to some actual work.

In 2008-2009, at the beginning of the recession, we had just bought two new DMG lathes. And then the recession came. 4-6 months with no orders. We hanged on, we cut auxiliary costs,

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production costs and emerged of the crisis unscathed, even with a profit. Over that period, we managed to apply twice the De Minimis program by the Romanian Government, and now we are currently implementing one EU-funded project for Information Technology and another for POS CCE – machine investments.

We have some new, post-2008 machines: Citizen, Okuma, DMG, Victor, NCT, Mitutoyo, Kasto and other brands. In principle, our products are targeted at the European market. We have customers from Germany, Holland, Denmark, UK, Italy, Slovakia, the Czech Republic.

New challenges The problems we are facing now are labour problems. We cannot find skilled workers who really know their trade. This is why we take students during their training periods, we hire university graduates and teach them at the workplace. Most of CNC machine operators have university degrees. We would be happy to hire graduates of vocational schools with little training, but there’s no such thing.... Maybe it would be better for the Universities to create vocational post-secondary, now that vocational schools are gone and engineering graduates are unemployed.

Now, there’s the advantage that German companies are relocating their Chinese factories. The Chinese become expensive and too far away. And the Germans are looking for suppliers close by.

Close by road or by air. Western companies are at an advantage, since they have access to Western motorways and easily accessible airports. And of course, they have a long tradition in the field and qualified labour. We, the others, catch what is lost beyond the “border”, to joke a little. I spoke with a machine dealer at Demo Metal, who said that some foreigners still think of use as jungle people. He told me that he took that man to a plane parts factory, and he was shocked by our technology. The foreigners go wherever they could find labour and technology, although they prefer Western areas for the affordable transportation costs. What matters to them is to keep costs low and receive quality.

For the future, we wish to open new market niches, if there’s room for them – one high performance machine, better trained workers, and maybe, in a few years’ time, a new readymade building out of town, for better production organization and lower costs. A Radu Tufan, S.C. PROCAM S.R.L. Administrator www.procam.ro

www.ttonline.ro NEW technologies in focus!

If your phone has QR recognition software, you may scan to acces November 2015 English Issue A 37 the website directly.

Romanian dynamic companies

The experience of a Romanian manufacturer...

The Megatitan story, “from the woods to out of the woods”

D

ear reader, you may be reading these lines at work, in your coffee break, in your car or while waiting at the procurement head’s door to show them your company’s new promotion. You are maybe a student and found the magazine at your faculty, or you are going to retire and you feel like you failed to use your professional skills to their entire potential. Maybe you are a happy man and own a successful company...

I wrote my story with a true desire to encourage you to see the “waves”. For anyone reading this, I have great news for you: there is a new wave coming! A large one. European funds worth of 43 billion Euro. What are you going to do with this wave? Will you “ride” it? Will carry you to the shore of prosperity, sink you, or will you stay on the side, watching other “surfers” having the time of their life?

matter”, I replied without thinking what a million Deutsche marks look like.

It is true that accessing funds requires certain strictness. It is true they verify you over and over again. But it’s possible! You can even do it without paying “inducement”, or without “knowing a guy”. We did not know anyone and never paid anyone one cent.

I remind this to encourage anyone willing to develop their business with European money, because it’s worth it and it’s possible.

Years went by, and when the construction materials market was at its peak, I called my Hungarian friend and reminded him of my dream to have a laser. My business was pretty good, but no way was I in the position to invest that much. My chance had a name, European grants. I had the opportunity to work with Romcom, an Oradea based Romanian-Swiss company, for which I have an utmost respect and which I strongly recommended to all my friends. With the help of Romcom, I wrote a project for the POSCCE program, submitted it and eagerly waited for the answer.

Our story In its 14 years of experience on the Romanian market, Megatitan went through several stages.

In 2011, we timidly began selling splintering tools which we imported from Hungary. Then, we imported cleaning equipment at the same time when construction and installation equipment started entering the Romanian market. In 2000, a Hungarian friend told me for the first time about laser cutting machines.

He had recently returned from a Hungarian fair and he was so excited that I say it loudly without blinking: “if everything is like you say it is, I am going buy myself one some day”. Hearing me and knowing my financial situation, he burst into laughing: “Nelu, such a machine is more than a million Deutsche marks””, “Doesn't

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We chose Megatitan for their seriousness, flexibility, and for understanding very well our quality needs.

Daniel Borota, CEO Flexibil Baia Mare

It was 16th of December, 2008. With Bucharest filled with snow, we were invited to sign the grant contract. A lady manager from the Ministry congratulated us for our courage to write projects, gently admonishing us that only 14% of the Romania-allocated funds were absorbed, because that exactly that many projects were submitted. (This gentle admonishing reminded me of one pastor in my youth, who always reprimanded those present because not enough people came at the church).

An here we are with an approved project. We only needed the money to fund the first stages. With the file in my hand, I started looking for solutions at several Romanian banks. Though many banks displayed large billboards claiming their readiness to fund

They have been a committed partner from the very beginning, able to solve our requirements, we never had any quality issues or they have been resolved immediately. We also appreciate the human side of our cooperation, the very good interpersonal relations that we have. We believe that such qualities are vital in today’s business world and wish all the success to this company.

Szőcs Karol, S.C. CAROL TECH SRL Manager European-funded projects, none was willing to found our project.

So we had to borrow from an external lender.

I say all this to encourage you not to give up in spite of obstacles that may seem insurmountable.

And so we purchased our first laser cutting machine, exactly when the market was getting ready for contracting, and what remained was divided between large supermarket chains. Those were trying times for us. The recession in the construction materials business hit hard. We had little prospects to stay in the business. Thus, with the advice of Professor of Mitra� Duda� of Cluj and the experience gathered in 10 years of business, I chose a new direction: I became an industrialist.

We embarked on a new road, in unknown territory, where competition is high, and also are price pressures and quality and deadline requirements. We started the laser cutting business with only one customer: the Flexibil Company of Baia Mare. With their characteristic professionalism and diligence, they tactfully and patiently taught us how to become professionals in our line of work. The fact that we are suppliers to top companies in the automotive and railway field in many countries is largely due to the Flexibil Company.

Why work with Megatitan Today, we have a team of young engineers, we serve approximately 200 customers in various lines of work. We do it with the passion and responsibility of a surgeon each and every time.

Being aware that the human factor makes or breaks a company, we carefully select our team members and provide them with a pleasant working and development environment, and at the same time instilling respect for the customer as a company policy. This is what customers appreciate too, this is why we are their first choice when they require laser cutting and bending services.

We carefully select both our machine and raw materials suppliers. Thus, we purchased state of the art Trumpf machinery and we are thrilled by their reliability and the maintenance

After the first cooperation with Megatitan, I realized the company is into satisfying customer needs by the quality of its products and timely delivery. This company evolved tremendously and I believe it will keep down this road. They have vision, which will continue to be successful. A big part of this company is its team, which in my opinion has learned what it takes to succeed.

Radu Potra, IPROEB

Thank you very much for the works of art that you made by laser cutting for me. They are exceptionally professional. I also congratulate you for the human and professional quality of the young men team that you work with. Thanks to you, not only did we made quality sculptures, but I also felt treated with elegance and professionalism.

Liviu Mocan, Sculptor services provided by the Ingmar Company. We want each delivery to be a success and we do everything in our power to achieve it. This year, we began implementing the Lean manufacturing system with the help of a specialist – this is currently the most efficient organization management tool – concurrently with the use of manufacturing monitoring and management software.

We are permanently improving the manufacturing processes and delivery services to increase our chances to remain best choice for our customers.

We provided services to customers in Dubai, Brazi, Hungary, Germany, Italy, France, Denmark, and many other companies in Romania. Some of them asked us to also provide services such as bending and welding besides laser cutting. This is how we purchased a digitally controlled bending machine and controlled environment welding machines.

We are now able to provide laser cutting services with two Trumpf TruLaser 3030 machines, bending with abkant Trumpf TruBend 5130, punching on Trumpf TruPunch 3000, automatic panel bending on Salvagnini P2 Lean, CNC plate rolling on Roccia HR4W, WIG and MIG welding.

When you have bending and laser cutting work to do, I am here to help.

Just call me at: 00 40 263 343 200 or 00 40 723 273 696!

Nelu Bălan, Megatitan Managing Partner November 2015

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Partnerships

GreenBau Tehnologie, Sysmec SRL Sysmec SRL is a Swiss-owned company established in 2001, with customers from different industry sectors, which are supplied with limited and mass production parts. We implemented in Sysmec a very well designed quality control system and we are proud to feature one of the most advanced quality control laboratories in Romania, which means that we are able to deliver Swiss quality products at Romanian prices.

We have been cooperating with GreenBau Tehnologie since 2006, the year in which I became a Sysmec employee.

A year later, GreenBau delivered the first 2 OKUMA machines, which contributed to the development of our company and helped us to approach two new fields, mass production and the processing of medium-sized die cast parts, for which we exclusively use OKUMA machines.

We continued purchasing OKUMA machines from GreenBau in the following years as well, and currently have an inventory of 11 OKUMA machines. The advantages of the OKUMA machines are reliability and permanent accuracy for the entire operational period, which is very long if correctly maintained. In view of the above, we can say that purchasing such machines was sound investment. As far as disadvantages are concerned, I would quote the higher price as compared to other machines.

However, taking into account the long life of these machines, we can say that the price is justified in view of its short amortization period.

In all these years, the GreenBau staff was very professional. We received assistance when we needed it for new 40 A English Issue November 2015

projects, but also when we had any issues during and outside the warranty period. We had some difficult times when one of our machines was involved in a collision the exchange part took some long time to arrive, but together with OKUMA and GreenBau, we managed to find a solution to such problems in the future.

The GreenBau and OKUMA companies contributed significantly to our development, with our turnover increasing 3 fold after 8 years of cooperation. We still rely on GreenBau and OKUMA, who remained our top machine suppliers.

I send the GreenBau partners and their entire staff my thanks for their support, and I am glad to see how they developed and the success they are enjoying on the market. I wish them prosperity and all the best!

Michael TAMAS Managing Director of Sysmec SRL

successful cooperation S.C. IRUM S.A.

Irum Company is a family, privately owned business since 1999, when we purchased the majority shareholding. Our main products are forestry tractors, and beginning with 2010, we have been producing our own agricultural sector products. Besides these products, the main component of our business consists in spare parts that we manufacture for various companies on the Western market, such as Germany, Austria, Italy and France.

Our first contact with GreenBau in 2008, 7 years ago, with the purchase of the first two machines: a 5-axis CNC lathe OKUMA MULTUS B300 and a 4-axis horizontal paletting milling centre OKUMA MA-500HB.

The using of OKUMA machines marks the start of a rejuvenation of our CNC machines inventory, which led to improved parts quality, processing times and maintenance times, and prevention of malfunctions. The cooperation with GreenBau was very helpful from a technical standpoint, by both finding/recommending technological solutions where needed, and ensuring timely servicing with well trained staff.

Let’s not forget about the free online and phone technical assistance, which I consider a major advantage.

The OKUMA machines have many advantages: they are sturdy, have many features enabling ease of programming, cutting costs and increase of safety. For instance: the IGF graphical intuitive programming system, the collision prevention system, monitoring the toll wear on all axes with automatic shutdown above a certain wear threshold, real time simulation. Another recent advantage is the now longer, 5-year warranty.

for the time being and were reinforced as time went by. A friendly advice would be for them to continue what they have started. The staff was exemplary in terms of online and phone service and assistance, characterized by kindness, enthusiasm, readiness and professionalism.

Our relationship with GreenBau Tehnologie is fruitful, proven by the purchase of our fourth OKUMA machine. As regards the improvement of relations, they are quite good

Mircea OLTEAN General Manager of IRUM November 2015

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ď ľ

S.C. Trandiul S.R.L.

SC Trandiul SRL is a privately owned Romanian company set up in 1992, specialized in splintering processes (turning, milling). We are splinter-processing (turning, millings) high precision parts in limited and medium production runs, for electric motor, automotive, oil, aerospace (export) industries and assembly parts. Our products are manufactured by all types of materials: steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, etc., and our splintering processes (turning, milling) and of high quality.

The cooperation with GreenBau Tehnologie began in 2006, by the purchase of an OKUMA LB300MC. We were very satisfied with that machine, and managed to produce parts at the desired quality in short time. Thus, we decided to keep on purchasing OKUMA machines.

The years that followed, i.e. 2011, 2012 and 2015, meant an increase of the CNC OKUMA to four machines bought from Greenbau Tehnologie. Thus, I can say that our relationship with GreenBau is a fruitful one, as proven by the purchasing of our newest machine – the fourth - an OKUMA LB2000EXII, just in 2015.

As far as I am concerned, I am happy with the warranty and post-warranty servicing, and the skilled GreenBau staff always rose to the challenge.

Another decisive factor of our successful cooperation was the short reaction time of GreenBau, which met all our service demands with high professionalism.

In conclusion, I can say that the OKUMA machines brought us an advantage of the splintering processing market, and I hope to continue our successful cooperation with GreenBau Tehnologie.

Marian LICAN General Manager TRANDIUL

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SC GEVALCO INDUSTRIAL SRL GEVALCO company was set up in 1994. In 2003, this small manufacturing company went through lifechanging events. GEVALCO set up a joint venture with SOFOP SA, an industrial French company, major supplier for the aerospace, medical and automotive sectors. This partnership allowed Gevalco Industrial SRL to access the European market and become familiar with its quality requirements and deadlines.

As of 2004, the company is focused on the manufacturing of parts for the aerospace industry. The period 20042008 witnessed significant growth, internal organization, replacement of the conventional machine tools inventory with newer and more advanced digitally controlled ones.

In 2012, the company moves into a new, full air-conditioned 3250 sqm production facility in the Brăneşti commune, Ilfov County, and in 2013 successfully completes an investment project aimed at production and control equipment in amount of approx. 3,000,000 EUR, funded under the structural funds.

Today, the company has a like-minded team working with advanced, late generation equipments, lathes and 3, 4 and 5-axis, palletized, robotic turning centres (more than 30 digitally-controlled equipments).

Our cooperation with GreenBau Tehnologie was excellent and I wish them to remain professional, since they are of real help to small and medium investors from the Romanian industry.

The future challenge for Gevalco is to stay on the market at all times, to develop the techWe have purchased from GreenBau Tehnologie 3, 4 nological potential, to boost the and 5-axis modern and robust machine tools that fitted our creativity and skills of its staff, to aeronautical industry production needs. cut the costs and manufacturing The purchase and commissioning of the robotic palleti- cycles, while at the same time zation line with 10 FMS pallets was a professionalism high complying with deadlines and point that GreenBau passed with flying colours. the quality of our products.

We found in GreenBau a very competent team, willing to assist with very good advice, and a service team which gave us a help on a very short notice.

Costel CHIRA Director SC GEVALCO INDUSTRIAL SRL November 2015

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Partnerships

S.C FEPA S.A 

SC FEPA SA Bârlad is one of the most significant producers of industrial automation equipments, with an experience of more than 40 years in this sector.

The first products initially consisted in industrial automation equipment intended for both the internal and external market, for the chemical, petrochemical, and oil and gas extraction and processing industries. Today, the product range is diverse and indicated in the above description. All the products are manufactured under own license. Recently, the company placed great emphasis on the manufacturing of high diameter and pressure ball and butterfly valves, i.e.

Dn 500-Dn 1000, with working pressures ANSI 150, ANSI 300, ANSI 600. Moreover, besides valves, we decided to consider gas, steam or oil flow metering devices.

We have OKUMA lathes with milling feature, large, digitally-controlled OKUMA palletizable horizontal cenTo manufacture its products, S.C FEPA S.A uses tres and OKUMA vertical centres, which never gave us digitally controlled OKUMA machines. The high technology any problems and are very satisfied with, and for the found on these machines provides solutions adapted to future we are planning to increase our OKUMA equipincreased productivity for all customers, whether it is turn- ment inventory. ing or milling.

As regards the cooperation with GreenBau Tehnologie, we can say that it was rewarding in the field of CNC machines, meeting the requirements of our customers with fast solutions and resolutions, timely servicing, with specialized staff and correct and fast solutions.

The products manufactured by Fepa meet all the reliability, maintenance, efficiency, innovation and safety requirements.

In its pursuit of excellence, Fepa gives special consideration to the needs of each customer and always finds the right solutions. The organizational dynamism that combines several customized production, design and management activities ensures profitable and mutually beneficial services.

Ing. Constantin COZAR Deputy Director S.C FEPA S.A

Libertăţii Blvd., no. 12, bl. 113, Bucureşti Phone: +4021-337.77.76/14; Fax: +4021-337.77.89 greenbau@greenbau.ro www.greenbau.ro www.okuma.ro 44 A English Issue November 2015

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November 2015

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Partnerships

Technology Signus 1995,

wise decisions, right investments The history of the company Technology Signus 1995 s.r.l. begins (as suggested by its name) in 1995, thus turning 20 in 2015. The company began as an IT provider in the industrial field, and then started to get involved in the mechanical splintering technology.

Wise decisions In the mid 2000's, the company was producing automotive parts and already had a wide experience in this field. In 2010, the company embarked on a wide restructuring program (for its size), which included 5 new equipments – 3 lathes and 2 turning centres, all CNC. After a detailed assessment of the Romanian machine tool market, the company was faced with two major decisions: 1. buy new or second hand machines?

2. what would be the selected manufacturer?

The answer was relatively easy to the first question – even if the initial investment is lower, the lack of any warranties and very high costs of spare parts (if the equipment is retired) doomed from the onset any prospects to buy second hand.

The right investments Once concluding that new machine tools are worth the investment, what remained was to decide on the manufacturer.

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It was desirable that the purchase be made from a manufacturer well represented in Romania (in order to provide fast and quality technical support), which significantly limited the available options, as these conditions were fulfilled by only a handful of manufacturers. This category was dominated by two groups of manufacturers: Asian (mainly Japan) and German. At this point, the decision was made taking into account the support provided by all these manufacturers in Romania, and we found out that only Deckel-Maho-Gildemeister (DMG) were present in Romania with their own organization, while others were represented by various dealers or agents. Thus, 5 DMG machine tools from the ECOLINE range were purchased: 3 lathes CTX 310 V3 ECO and 2 DMC 635V ECO turning centres.

The machines did not disappoint, and thanks to strict compliance with the manufacturer recommended maintenance program, they reached between 7000 and 10,000 working hours with any technical problems (taking into account they are being continuously worked on in 2 or 3 shifts).

This allowed the timely and qualitative delivery of parts to our agents, which maintained and increased their high opinion of us. Moreover, the availability in excess of 98% allowed us to be more flexible, something which had a significant contribution in receiving new orders from our customers, and enabling recommendations as trusted suppliers to new customers.

Flexibility The universal nature of the machine tools in the inventory allowed to approach a very wide range of parts. Thus, we are producing both turned and milled automotive parts for customers in Germany, Italy, Great Britain or France. Some of them are included in motor vehicles (suspension parts), while others made up the manufacturing lines of various automotive brands.

The increase and concurrently the improvement of the milling capacity allowed the processing of ever more complex parts, going as far as the processing and delivery of moulds for rubber, metal or plastic, manufactured at very high quality. The flexibility of our manufacturing allowed us to approach less ordinary materials – such as various types of plastics, less usual aluminium alloys or special steel alloys. Moreover, the versatility of the machines gave us access to a wide range of industries. Thus, we ended up working, besides the aero industry, with the energy, moulding or general mechanics industries.

Seriousness and discipline The company’s management are no stranger to German strictness and mindset. All the business relations and current partnerships are based on documents (contracts, commitments, etc.), but the cornerstone consists on strictness and discipline – they cannot be laid on paper, but have to be sown in anyone’s mind to be applied to everyday activities. In this business field there are no "hits” (a word that sadly became slang nowadays).

You have to work on a daily basis and settle for a decent profit.

We understood that progress comes in small steps, but with the determination to always keep on going ahead.

Despite the fact that not many still believe in it in Romania, seriousness helped us a great deal in our relations with customers and partners. They became increasingly confident in us, and we permanently tried to rise to their expectations and never disappoint.

The upward spiral of our relations with them inherently led to development opportunities for the company. Thus, thanks to the increased orders exceeding our manufacturing capacity, we purchased two more equipments in the last months of 2013: a

DMG lathe (CTX 310 V3 ECO, but from the new ECOLINE generation), and a Mori Seiki turning centre (NVX5100 – again new generation).

We do have plans for developing the company, but we wish to be realistic, which undoubtedly alters such plans. The developmental stages of Technology Signus 1995 s.r.l. always had a twopronged investment approach: machine tools, on one hand, and related and/or adjacent aspects of the splintering process, on the other hand (tools, devices, but also investments in quality control and assurance).

We are constantly trying to view ourselves as part of a line of Romanian splintering processing companies, setting our future strategy based on our position at any given time.

For now, we believe we are part of a crowded group, where competition is fierce. The opening of the Romanian market and the developments of foreign economies led to the emergence of many small companies (like ours), which invested in a few digital machine tools. This is why the difference is made by how you can adapt to the market, which depends heavily on the equipments you use. We are satisfied with our cooperation with DMG MORI, and for this year we are planning to purchase a 5 axis turning centre, and maybe a lathe if the situation will require it.

Human resources are key The team that makes all of the above possible is a young and motivated one, and its most important feature is its mentality and discipline. It is not easy to find disciplined people who are open to change or shape their thinking towards the most innovative spirit possible. Quality human resources are probably one of the most significant issues facing Romanian companies, and this is why we are proud of our Technology Signus 1995 s.r.l team.

We strive to remain a flexible company, adaptable to all market requirements.

This is how we made our reputation, and intend to preserve it.

We are glad and at the same time honoured by the initiative of the “Tehnic` [i Tehnologie” magazine to promote small Romanian companies. We thank you for this. A Tudor Chiper, Technical Manager Technology Signus 1995 s.r.l.

November 2015

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Partnerships

FAIST MEKATRONIC Oradea

Investment in people, technology and quality machines Not by hazard, the company was set up in Oradea, thanks to the principles of the Faist group to support its customers and provide them with a global presence. The main activity field of FAIST MEKATRONIC is to build telecommunication infrastructure equipment, and in 2005, one of the major customers of the company had a production facility in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. Thus, Faist Mekatronic came into being at the end of 2005 in Oradea, in the mobile phone infrastructure sector, its main customer in this segment being Ericsson.

I

n terms of size and strategic importance, Faist Mekatronic grew a lot in its 9 years of activity, the Oradea branch being now in the top 3 companies of the group. As a crisis strategy and seeking to diversify the activities, the company debuted in the automotive sector in 2008, first with a single customer - Borg Warner, and then gathered other important customers in 2013, such as Mahle and Brose, and Hella from 2014.

Ambitious management The ambition of the young and motivated management team, supported by the group management, allowed the company to develop at a very fast rate. The general manager of the company, Remus Cotu], is 33 years old, and his management team members are aged between 30 and 40 years old. The management approach is very simple, but also very determined: continued investment in people, technology and state of the art equipment to meet the expectations of the Faist group’s customers.

The company passed from a difficult start in 2008, when it had nearly 100 employees and a turnover of 4 million Euro, to 400 employees and 22 million Euro turnover in 2010, and 800 employees and 53 million turnover in 2013.

48 A English Issue November 2015

Faist Mekatronic is a strategic investment in Romania, and one of the main group companies seeking to cover the demand on the European market.

During all this time, the company developed by creating local skills for almost all the activities it performs: production, engineering, quality control, logistic management of the supply chain, human resources, financial, the only assistance from the group being in the field of sales.

The evolution of Faist Mekatronic is even a spectacular one, as the company grew from 4 mil. Euro turnover in 2008 to expectations of exceeding the 60 million Euro threshold in 2014.

This evolution was made possible by an actual demand for its products, good value for money – one of the customers declared Faist Mekatronic as “official development partner”, and by the recent efforts to diversify production, managing to attract three new important customers from the automotive industry.

The company currently has more than 900 employees, as compared to 120 in 2008, and increased continuously ever since. It relied on employing young people with little experience, but who qualified and became experts in the Faist Mekatronic processes, the same going for the management team, with an age average of only 37 years. The company initiated internship programs with local universities and high school, which was very useful in training young talents who later became employees.

Quality as standard The Oradea company maintains varied technological processes such as pressure aluminium die casting, mechanical machining and galvanization of surfaces. The mobile phone infrastructure includes aluminium cases for radio frequency filters. The parts go through pressure aluminium casting processes, high precision mechanical machining which require 4 axis machines due to the complexity of the parts and silver galvanization treatment. The automotive industry is represented by pressure die cast oil-vacuum pump cases, and the mechanic processing reaches tolerances of up to 5 microns, using 4 axis turning points and hydraulic clamping – these pumps are manufactured with DMG MORI equipment. Other products in the automotive field are tensioning bodies for engine distribution systems, electric stator aluminium cases for electric engines with concentricity tolerances and diameters of up to 8 microns. The customers include ERICSSON, BORG WARNER, MAHLE, BROSE, ABB, KATHREIN. The vision of the Feist group is to be a technology leader and create partnerships with strategic customers that benefit from innovation, operational excellence and a global presence. The Faist group policy of being a technology leader has been implemented on a permanent basis, as the company invested more than 30 million Euro in latest generation equipment in Oradea over the last three years.

Partnership with DMG MORI To achieve this ambitious target, Faist Mekatronic developed in Romania a successful partnership with DMG MORI. The relationship with DMG MORI began in 2010, with the purchase of 4 mechanical turning centres, and the high performance and competitiveness of DMG MORI warranted future decisions to pur-

chase DMG MORI machines, which are currently in number of 30 at the Oradea factory.

In 2011, with the significant increase of the production capacity and after a market study for the purchase of 20 horizontal turning centres with digital command, the selected supplier was DMG MORI, which won thanks to the excellent value for money and for the courage and proRemus Cotuţ, fessionalism shown by DMG General Manager Faist Mekatronic MORI in their commitment to comply with the FAIST performance requirements. The machines were delivered and installed in the second half of 2011 and beginning of 2012. “The machines successfully fulfilled their performance and productivity requirements, which made us keep on developing the relationship with DMG MORI, and later purchase further 12 turning centres with digital command in Romania alone. But more than that, we recommended this supplier to other group companies in Germany and Mexico, where 11 other centres were purchased”, declared Remus Cotu], Faist Mekatronic general manager. “DMG MORI had another very significant advantage in the funding solution which it provides through its partner, DMG Finance – a very good solution for the financing of machines by industry manufacturers – and, in addition, the support provided by DMG MORI in Romania and other services are a boon for good relations between Faist Mekatronic and DMG MORI.”, also said Remus Cotu].

The future For the future, the Oradea company seeks to diversify the customer portfolio, produce components for the automotive industry and maintain the current telecom infrastructure customer portfolio. “The future development of Faist Mekatronic will consist in maintaining its good evolution so far by increasing the production capacity to the nice figure 100 million Euro in the following 10 years. To reach these objectives, the company already started to extend the current production hall from 16,500 sqm to 25,500 sqm, and install new pressure die casting and digital command mechanical machining equipment”, added the general manager of Faist Mekatronic. A November 2015

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A 49

Partnerships

Apulum Porcelain

in the fast-lane of production technology ATTILA BAGDI Marketing Specialist FANUC Hungary Kft. marketing@fanuc.hu

O

ne of the largest porcelain manufacturers in Romania, with over 40 years of business heritage is now planning to invest more into factory automation. After successful implementation of FANUC robots into the production system, the company decides to give more trust to the machines.

The trade-mark “Apulum� sounds familiar to many people in Europe, resembling with high quality porcelains for the Hotel-RestaurantCafeteria industry for tablewares, vases, tea and coffee cup sets, state-of-art porcelains and many more. Provided by the growing demand for high quality porcelains all over the world, Apulum had to facilitate its production by the newest technologies available in factory automation to meet the expectations of their clients. FANUC robots were chosen to supplement the manual labour in the

The biggest benefit for us in the introduction of robots was not the accelerated production, but the decrease of defective products. You need to keep your profit in the production, and a way to do that is to produce less defects. We managed to reach a 95-97% of A+ quality products, which previously remained around 85%. The 10% improvement was granted by the FANUC robots.

Alvaro Santini, Apulum Owner 50 A English Issue November 2015

plant and to ensure the quality of the products at the most crucial parts of the manufacturing.

Naturally, the implementation of robots did not come without any challenges. Engineers had to work hard to integrate the robots to the existing system, and it was not an easy task either to convince elder employees to accept the robots around them. However, one year later, even those who were the most against the usage of robots admitted that Apulum would have never been able to reach such high quality standards for this scale of production with so many different products without the help of automation solutions.

Increasingly, experts from FANUC suggest that the demand for factory automation does not always originate from the production side, but from the customer side. A key reason why Apulum had to introduce robots into its production was partly because big clients with long-term

contracts required constant quality products, and robotic automation is the way to achieve this.

The change in production does not mean the Apulum will exclude human labour in its plant in the future. Quite the contrary: automation ensured the future of the company and enabled Apulum to build a second plant. As Mr. Santini puts it.

Apulum combines manual work and automation to minimize defective products.

The plant now manufactures 97% A+ quality products ď ľ

For porcelain manufacturers the production technology is like the motorway. There is the slow-lane, for smaller quantities with lots of manual work, the middle-lane which combines manual work with automation, and the fast-lane where robotic automation is a crucial part of production in order to deliver high quality products in large quantities. Still, the robots are like empty glasses. You need humans in order to fill them up with meaning.

Alvaro Santini, Apulum Owner

A reliable partner in factory automation InnoRobotics was founded in 2011 starting as an integrator of FANUC. Due the company’s deep understanding of automation and the needs of their customers, InnoRobotics doubled their income every year. The successful collaboration with FANUC ensured Apulum to bring the most out of the factory automation solution, solve challenges, obtaining high productivity and excellent product quality. A

n From left to right: the owner of Apulum, Mr. Santini, the integrator from InnoRobotics, Mr. Ioanes, and the technical manager, Mr. Dorogan November 2015

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A 51

Interview

Interview with Elena Codecà,

Executive Manager Chorus Engineering

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n June 10th, in Sibiu, Chorus Engineering organized the symposium “Innovation Day 2015”, which was attended by a large number of companies from the automotive and electric industries. We tried to find out what determined Chorus Engineering to approach the topic of innovation at this event and why is this important for the development of the Romanian plastics sector, in an interview with Mrs. Elena Codecà, Executive Manager Chorus Engineering.

Each investment must be done prudently with a vision on the future and not in a narrow way, just limited to the possibilities of the present.

52 A English Issue November 2015

A In July, you organized a successful event, which despite being set outside the capital, was attended by a great deal of specialists. Why did Chorus Engineering organize an event that underlined the importance of innovation? So, why “Innovation Day” and why in Sibiu?

Elena Codecà: I think the words of the Italian astrophysicist, Margherita Hack, with which Chorus Engineering opened the Sibiu symposium, are the best answer to this question.

“Over the last years there have been many discussions about «innovation», the magic word that allows industrialized countries to face competition from emerging countries which produce similar products at much lower prices. Innovation thus means to imagine new ways to manufacture the same products with less money; or invent new products, from the most complex to the simplest ones, products which make our life easier at work, at home, or equipments and tools that are easier to use than the ones we have today, or to create devices which we will render indispensable.”

We believe that innovating in any kind of process is a must of our times. Being innovative and finding new solutions both at production and organizational level, and looking for new ways to present them are prerequisites of maintaining our place on the market and maybe to improve it. The questions about the meaning of innovation and analysis of how innovation is implemented help us to assess our own reality, to understand where we come from and who we are or what we achieved, and help us to imagine and to define our own path to development.

We live in a globalized word, information travels fast, everything is at hand, and yet innovating remains a difficult process; this is happening because, in any case, it is not always

possible to understand what is really needed, if it represents the spur of the moment or if it will hold over time, but especially because change is difficult, requires large efforts, lots of involvement and determination. Sibiu seemed the city most suited for this type of event: a city with a rich history, which had the means to use its own richness in order to evolve and become attractive for many international companies of the industrial sector. In this region of central Romania, the plastic industry is rife, as here can be found the most important producers of parts for the automotive and electric industries, among others. We’ve had guests from far away, because content is ultimately what matters. In Sibiu we also found receptivity to our needs, proving once again how the city looks forward to the future and strives to be more welcoming and receptive to all needs.

A Innovation sounds extravagant to some and a challenging aspiration for many others. What are its benefits after all and why do we need it? What calls for it and even impose it?

E.C: In a globalized, extremely competitive world, this is surely a must. It involves improving the existing systems or finding new ones to achieve the same purposes or other more rapidly, easier and with lower costs. Innovation affects all categories: companies, society, people.

In a manufacturing environment, e.g. our plastic processing industry, and particularly the injection moulding sector here, in Romania I hope there will be a day when some companies will transform and find an identity on their own, that will go beyond being a mere subcontractor, developing and inventing products to be sold under an own brand, that of the Romanian company which designed such products. It will be a milestone, considering that we helped so far some foreign and multinational companies to settle in Romania and look for cooperation opportunities at local level, a fact that, with all due respect, the Romanian industry surely needs.

A Which kind of innovations did you present at the event for plastic industry professionals?

E.C.: We presented a full injection moulding line consisting in an all electric injection molding machine with a clamping force of 100 t, model IntElect, produced by Sumitomo SHI Demag, equipped with a Sepro robot, a Labotek DDM dehumidifier and a Frigel temperature control device. It may seem like it is not new, but equipment has in itself a series of innovations that make it unique, more efficient and more competitive in production context, and fully meet precision, productivity, efficiency and competitiveness requirements.

A How does Chorus Engineering support the specialists willing to innovate in their own fields?

E.C.: Our consultancy and sales activities are dedicated to specific sectors, we cooperate with partners who are leaders in their respective fields and carry out research and development, constantly improving their technological offer in order to reduce energy consumption, improve performance, reduce the environmental impact and increase user competitiveness.

A Which kind of innovation needs the Romanian plastics processing industry?

E.C.: I believe that the Romanian industry in general is eager for innovation, but it does not always have the financial means to achieve it. Competitiveness programs are definitely a useful tool to enable small and medium sized companies in this sector to gain access to innovation. The needs are anyway targeted towards new production systems, technological innovation equipments, but also tools which may improve organization in itself, and the quality and the results of production.

A How is the relevant Romanian industry assimilating the proposed innovations of production processes?

E.C.: The answers we received at the symposium are very positive and far reaching, to the extent that there is a great deal of interest that foresees some interesting future evolutions.

A You carried out a very interesting survey among the participants at this event. What are its most important conclusions?

E.C.: We had the idea to liven this event with a survey that would enable us and the public to ask questions about innovation and how it is perceived and implemented according to actual circumstances, and thus to understand the points of view.

The result was very interesting, on one hand, the audience showed that new technological tendencies may have a major impact on own commercial activities and improve performance, and on the other hand, that the investments made in the past are an obstacle to development.

This aspect is of great importance, because it makes us understand how investments need to be cautious, with a vision on the future and not a narrow one, subject to the limited possibilities of the present. Each decision of today determines our future success. For instance, the analysis of the return of investment, which appears to be more expensive at the beginning, turns out to be more eco­nomical in the long terms from a manufacturing point of view. A November 2015

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Interview

Latest innovations from DMG MORI in the new Tech Center of Piteşti

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ay this year saw the inauguration, by means of an event that replicates in Romania traditional global events organized in other countries by mother companies, the largest showroom of a machine tool supplier for the Romanian market. DMG MORI made the most significant investment of this kind in Romania and now owns the largest exhibition and demonstration space for the machines of this German-Japanese group, raising the stakes to a very high level for the related domestic market. The determination behind DMG MORI to invest in a new, European level headquarter for its Romanian dealership, as well as other information on the group’s projects, are shared Octavian Andriţoiu, Managing Director of DMG MORI Romania.

Interview with Octavian Andriţoiu, Managing Director DMG MORI Romania A What are the benefits of opening a Technology Center in Piteşti? How will it increase the quality of the DMG MORI services for its beneficiaries on the Romanian market?

O.A.: We imported the Tech Center concept from other large markets of ours (Germany, Japan, USA, Scandinavia).

This concept brings flexibility to our activities by consolidation of several essential services into a single location, with direct benefits for our customers.

Besides technical discussions, the customers are most interested by the practical side. For this, we are now making available a wide range of machinery for free cutting tests. These tests will not be mere demonstrations of our machines’ quality, but will accurately reproduce the production process (together with the customer) in order to identify the most effective manufacturing methods.

A As managing director of DMG MORI, you have recorded significant turnovers and constant growth in the past years on the Romanian market. Have these accomplishments influenced the corporation into opening an European-level Technology Center in Romania?

Octavian Andrițoiu: Our decision was the natural consequence of the constant positive sales on the Romanian market.

To maintain this trend, we wish to prove our customers that a large part of our resources on this market are being reinvested to improve our level of services supplied to Romanian companies. In parallel, we would like to bring a new concept to Romania – that of a Tech Center.

54 A English Issue November 2015

Another significant feature of the new Tech Center is training. The training facilities that we provided are on the same par with those of the DMG MORI Training Academy of Germany.

The Romanian market sorely misses trained personnel in the processing industry. Whether it’s digital machine tools operators or programmers, the available human resources became very thin over the past years. This creates serious problems for companies which are seeing their basic activities jeopardized and which may lead to absurd situations on the market.

A What did you display at the Grand Opening DMG MORI SEIKI Romania and what are your permanent exhibits of DMG MORI in your Piteşti showroom?

O.A: We presented 8 equipments at the opening of the new Tech Center, some of them being premieres. The number of machines presented in our Tech Center will permanently vary for objective reasons: some machines are purchased by Romanian customers (as it happened during this opening event), other machines are returned to factories in order to be replaced with other models, thus allowing our visitors to see a larger number of our products (the size and facilities of the new location now enabling us to be more flexible in that regard).

A What was the evolution of your company in the past years? Is Romania a developing market with good prospects for DMG MORI? O.A.: The opening of this Tech Center speaks for itself in what regards our evolution on the Romanian market. DMG MORI grew year after year thanks to a diversification of customers. From more than 1,100 Romanian companies from the processing industry, 257 are our customers. This means 25%.

It is a huge step ahead by DMG MORI since deciding its direct involvement in Romania.

The potential of this market is significant. There are many companies which need our products and services. The Romanian economy itself has a lot of untapped potential, which once explored, will create even more opportunities for machine tool producers. In this regard, I think we are still in our “teenage years”, but slowly we will “grow up”.

Machines dissplayed in the showroom n DMC 1450 vertical turning centre (X/Y/Z = 1450/700/ 700 mm) – a premiere in Romania, this machine having been first launched at Open House Pfronten 2015 just several months earlier n The Ultrasonic 30 5-axis centre – an advanced techno­ logy machine for the processing of special, very hard and/ or brittle materials (such as optical glass – for lenses used in satellites, hard ceramic – used for dental applications and in the electronic industry, diamond [synthetic and or natural], special steels [inconel], etc.) n MillTap 700 5-axis centre – first machine of its kind being presented in Romania – very compact and very fast, with the best price/quality ratio in its class. n NLX2500SY/700 horizontal lathe – a lathe which allows full processing, in one set-up, of high complexity parts thanks to a counter-universal and the Y axis. n SPRINT 20-5 lathe (Swiss type) – first presentation in Romania, the newest machine of its type in this product range. n ecoMill 1035V vertical centre (ECOLINE range) – a machine improved from many perspectives, with emphasis on increased performance and flexibility. n ecoMill 70 3+2 axis centre (ECOLINE range) – the most versatile entry-level machine, allowing 5 face processing in one set-up. n ecoTurn 510 V3 horizontal lathe (ECOLINE range) – the largest lathe in the ECOLINE range until fall last year (now, the offer includes the ecoTurn 650, which allows the processing of larger diameters and lengths).

A What are the DMG MORI targets for the local market and what other projects will it carry out in Romania?

O.A.: The possibilities offered by the new location will diversify our objectives on the Romanian market. Besides reinforcing our position as a leader, we also wish to develop new directions that will bring added value to the cooperation between DMG MORI and Romanian companies. In this respect, I can tell you for the first time about two such directions. One is our massive involvement in automation systems (both locally and by the involvement of our division, DMG MORI Systems, in order to provide cost-optimized flexible alternatives for highly automated processing systems – ideally, 100%). Another direction is to begin partnerships with Romanian strategic clients.

For this, we wish to move some of our foreign production activities to Romania.

For confidentiality reasons, I cannot disclose further information for now, but once these projects become reality, the readers of the “Tehnic` [i Tehnologie” magazine will be the first to know more about our activities.

November 2015

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A 55

Events

Energy efficiency and connectivity

Bosch Innovation Day O

n June 6th, 2015, Bosch Rexroth presented modern, tangible engineering solutions at the Bosch Innovation Day in Blaj.

The products and solutions displayed during this event, in the field of hydraulics and electrical and mechanical actuators, linear technology and assembly are used in almost all stationary and mobile machinery.

The use of hydraulic systems in modern machinery was emphasized by a hydraulic truck crane with a 150 meters hydraulic boom, specially fitted for Bosch Innovation Day at the Blaj factory.

Starting with 2007, the company manufactures in Blaj parts by linear technology for the building of machinery. In 2014, Bosch Rexroth set up and own sales and service division in Romania.

Bosch Rexroth sees in Romania not only a very productive location, but also a growing and interesting market. Romania is currently experiencing an expansion of the machinery industry, and we are making our products and application expertise available for high quality engineering solutions.

Werner Richter, General Manager of Bosch Rexroth in Romania The most innovative exhibits of Blaj were also present at the 2015 Hannover fair, and are representative for the fields of mechatronics, linear engineering, hydraulics and electrics.

The products and solutions presented at that time included compact machine orders and electric actuator systems, smart hydraulic units and precision linear technology. “For our innovations, we strongly rely on higher energy efficiency and the new Industry 4.0 concepts", stressed Mr. Richter.

Industry 4.0 represents the connection of machines and installations with the virtual world of software.

“Bosch Rexroth is one of the global market leaders for Industry 4.0“, explains the general manager.

“These concepts are already under implementation in our factories, and the resulting experience have direct application to our new products.“ On another hand, the variable speed command units of Sytronix pumps decrease the energy demand of the hydraulic system by up to 80%, with unaltered yields. Thus, the production costs of manufacturers are significantly reduced.

Another strong point is stage technology.

Rexroth has been a supplier of stage technology for opera houses and theatres all over the world for decades. Bosch Rexroth is found in the stage technology of the Krakow Opera and the National Theatre of Warsaw, as well as Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow.

As a general contractor, Rexroth undertook the entire upgrading of stage technology there, coming up with the most advanced and detailed stage

56 A English Issue November 2015

automation technology in the world. “We combine various actuation and command technologies with full solutions from same sources“, underlined Mr. Richter. “For this, we work with global specialists, in common teams, thus leveraging their team experience.“

The truck was a Liebherr, world leader in the field of truck and track cranes, can lift a weight of up to 500 tonnes, i.e. the weight of approx. 500 small cars. The extendible pole can reach a height of up 150 meters.

These state of the art tools are powered by a Bosch Rexroth hydraulic solutions. Six hydraulic pumps allow the crane operator to extend and finely rotate the pole and winch up weights. The XXL truck crane is owned by SC Dornseiff S.R.L. Bosch Rexroth is a global supplier of teaching and training systems for specialized staff. The training systems presented at Blaj combine electric and hydraulic actuators and control solutions with practical training curricula. A

n “Bosch Rexroth exhibition” at the Bosch Innovation Day

ABOUT: DEMO METAL is the dedicated event for the metal processing industry in Romania, ranking high on the agenda of all those involved in this field. Demo Metal is organized by TEHNIC MEDIA, editor of the most important specialized magazine in Romania, T&T – Tehnica si Tehnologie, with 15 years of activity in this industry.

Although it is a “rather young” event, only at its fourth edition, Demo Metal proved to be the place where the professional and business community of specialists and business managers in the Romanian metal processing industry meets and grows.

The event’s evolution along its four editions it is relevant to the importance Demo Metal has in the Romanian industry.

Exhibitors

Visitors

50 Exhibitors

Visitors

59 Exhibitors

Visitors

Exhibitors

Visitors

BENEFITS FROM PARTICIPATING IN DEMO METAL: •

DEMO METAL is the event that allows participants to take part in practical demonstrations. Specialized visitors have the opportunity to participate in an open house-like joint event of the metal processing industry

78% appreciated the presence of running equipment and machinery 52% appreciated the demonstrations

•

Companies working together to build complex applications that show the advantages of using state-of-the-art technology help create long-term partnerships

92.5% stated to be pleased and very pleased with how all the event activities developed

•

Gives visitors strategic know-how from information acquired directly from the companies

75% came to find out the latest developments in the field.

FIGURES DEMO METAL 2015: 92% 88%

of the exhibitors in Demo Metal 2015 will come back for the 2016 edition

Demo Metal is the event that decision-makers take as benchmark in the Romanian metal processing industry.

of the exhibitors in the 2015 edition will recommend other partners to enter Demo Metal

58%

of the exhibitors plan to rent a larger stand area

89% 68%

of the Demo Metal 2015 visitors came to find new partners and purchase technologies

of the visitors are decision-markers

TESTIMONIALS DEMO METAL 2015: Exhibitors “I find the Demo Metal event concept to be very well adapted to the current structure of the automotive industry in our country, where foreign companies own the major technology developments. However, there are many local companies with local or mixed capital that invest in the car building industry, especially in car parts.

Demo Metal was thought of and sized with a pragmatic approach in mind, so that specialists in this category of investors find readily available information necessary for the investments they consider.

I was pleasantly surprised by the civilized, professional and efficient communication environment created by the organizers. It was an excellent idea to organize at the same time the forum “ Romanian Auto Industry: Opportunities and Perspectives” where, on the first day, we organized the general meeting of ACAROM – the Association of Automotive Manufacturers in Romania.

Representatives of the 150 member companies had the opportunity to visit Demo Metal and they all appreciated the event, without exceptions.

We will continue to grow our current partnership with Tehnic Media, the organizer of the event in Brasov, and I am certain that the Demo Metal 2016 edition will be just as interesting and useful, to say the least.” Constantin STROE, President of ACAROM “Demo Metal 2015 was an event in the true sense of the word, a unique and new concept for Romania, 100% dedicated to our industry. The venue, the level of attention and professionalism of the organizers and the active marketing of the event reflected the high number of specialized visitors interested in the technologies and solutions that were presented. We look forward to the next Demo Metal and we will be actively interested in this event in the years to follow.” Florin GEORGESCU, General Manager Micro-Top Consulting Engineering & Service “The fourth edition of the Demo Metal event confirms that it is a fully-fledged acknowledged event, which

manages to bring together every year more and more important players in the field of metal processing. The professionalism and level of interest of the organizers’ in the event convinced company representatives that Demo Metal is the ideal and necessary communication platform for this industry” Lucian GRUMEZA, Color Metal, Bucharest Branch Manager

“We have joined Demo Metal every year because we trust the organizer and the message it conveys! […]

I believe that a fair like Demo Metal adds value to the market by bridging the gaps between the people and contributing to developing a community in the field!

I wish Demo Metal to grow and become the largest fair in the region for metal processing!”

Ramona ROSCA, Managing Partner ALLMETECH Tools&Machines “[…] Given the good cooperation with the Demo Metal organizers in the previous years, Seco Tools decided to also be present in the 2015 event.

We believe it was a good decision, also confirmed by the good organization of the event and the number of visitors.”

Emil MOCAN, Sales Manager Seco Tools “We believe Demo Metal 2015 was a technical proof of success and it can become an event with tradition.

This is guaranteed by the professionalism, dedication and enthusiasm of the organizers as well as by the number and quality of the participants. […]

Demo Metal creates opportunities both for the exhibitors and for the visitors.”

Kelemen GYÖRGY, Deputy Director AAGES Ltd.

Visitors: “Yet another successful edition of Demo Metal that I had the pleasure of attending. I especially liked the general look of the units, very tidy and “westlike”, with modern and professional stands, and the schedule of related activities. […] I personally take away many ideas for future collaborations, some new and very interesting contacts and the clear intention to come back to the next Demo Metal edition. Congratulations to the “Tehnică și Tehnologie” team!”

Anca MURAR, Frankfurt Messe representative in Romania “This is my first year to the Demo Metal Exhibit and I appreciated the wide range of applications: from chipping, welding, injection molding to quality control and assisted design. The exhibitors, renowned companies in the field, represented directly or through collaborators, met my and my students’ expectations.

They were thrilled to listen to the explanations provided by the company representatives and the exhibition was a true motivation to improve their skills at a faster pace. The Demo Metal Job area and the Forum presentations were very interesting.

Congratulations to the organizers!”

Senior Lecturer Dr. Eng. Constantin ONESCU, University of Pitesti, Department for Manufacturing and Industrial Management “Congratulations to the organizers and exhibitors of this successful event!

I appreciate and will continue to always appreciate people that believe in something, and especially those that believe in the industry and help the sector grow. For Micromet, Demo Metal is a source to recharge our batteries and where we are happy to bring our specialists. All good things must be continued - so: KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!” Gheorghe STAN, General Manager Micromet SA Focsani

After the first 4 editions, DEMO METAL became an efficient communication platform for all important representatives of companies in the field of metal processing and related industries.

DEMO METAL SECTIONS:

PARTNERS 2015:

• Raw materials, materials, pre-cast and components,

ACAROM, the association of automotive manufacturers of Romania

storage and handling;

• Supply and cut; • Mechanical processing by chipping, bending, other

Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Romania)

auxiliary production technologies;

• Control, testing; • Robots • Software CAD/CAM/ PLM/ERP and 3D printing • Welding • Concept, design, setup, maintenance, service, retrofit;

Business France Romania

ECONOMICAL CONTEXT : 2014 • 2.8% • 3.5%

economic growth (2014 vs 2013) growth of industry (2014 vs 2013)

2015-first semester In the first half of 2015, compared to the same period of 2014, the gross domestic product increased by 3.7% on unadjusted series and by 3.8% on seasonally adjusted series, of which information and communication (0.9%) and industry (0.5%). At the same time, the mentioned branches registered significant increases in number of activities, namely 13.8% communication and 2.2% industry.

Net investments in economy amounted to RON 26.87bn after the first half of this year, increasing by 7.2% compared to 2014 (same period), with more investments in the industry which attracted 37.7% of the total funds, according to preliminary data from the National Institute for Statistics.

For 2015, the National Prognosis Commission (NPC) revised the forecast with an increase of 3.3% for the Romanian economy. According to IMF, Romania’s economy will grow by 2.7%.

We look forward to see you at Demo Metal 2016!

More details can be found at www.demometal.ro T/F: +4021 340 28 68 demometal@tehnicmedia.ro

“Energy efficiency in the industry” E nergy efficiency in the industry” is the title of the symposium organized by the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 22nd of September 2015 at Intercontinental, in the Fortuna room. The symposium represents the second stage of the event initiated and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economy and is aimed at Romanian and German companies interested in developing joint ventures in the field of energy efficiency, as well as the promotion at local level of German systems and products designed for the increase of energy efficiency.

The introductory speech was given by Mr. Sebastian Metz, Head of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Mr. Sebastian Gromig, the economic attaché of the German Federal Republic in Bucharest. The symposium introduced the business delegation and was designed to establish first contacts between large energy consumers in Romania, energy specialists and Romanian companies, and German companies.

The manifestation was attended by representatives of the Federal government, joined by German and Romanian experts who described current regulatory aspects, technical solutions and the actual expertise in energy efficiency of industrial processes.

Mrs. Ticu]a Hristov from the Department for Energy Efficiency, Authorization, Cooperation and Monitoring Department of the ANRE (the National Regulatory Authority for Energy) presented the obligations of the Romanian energy sector and the ANRE recommendations for improvement of energy efficiency. Mrs. Oana Dicu, Sustainable Development, Climate Change and Institutional Affairs Manager at Holcim România SA pointed out in her presentation the efforts of Holcim for the increased energy efficiency of cement factories, and gave specific details on one innovative project in this field: the waste heat recovery plant from the Alesd cement factory. Mr. Andrei Ioane[, the representative of the Robert Bosch factory of Jucu, presented investments in monitoring systems and equipments for the improvement of operational regimes undertaken by Bosch at the Jucu factory.

Representatives of Eclareon (Germany), the Fraunhofer Institute and the Technical University of Darmstadt (Germany) provided the participants with an outlook on energy efficiency in Germany, together with practical examples on the implementation of energy management systems in this country.

The eight German companies seeking to enter and consolidate their position on the Romanian market gave a short presentation of their systems and products: Deutsche Eco-Licht provides customized solutions for efficient lighting systems – for companies, public buildings or infrastructure (www. deutsche-eco-licht.de) E.ON Connecting Energies, set up in 2012, is part of the German group E.ON. ECT provides its customers with solutions for the reduction of energy costs and continuous optimization beyond the ECT’s involvement period. The company targets both the public and private sectors involved in environment protection, reduction of energy costs and energy security (www.eon-connecting-energies.com) Janitza Electronics provides hardware and software for energy management, measurement of network quality and compensation installations (www.janitza.com) Kroll Energy provides a wide range of solutions in fields like: water and air heating, liquid-fuel burners and universal furnaces, various solutions for drying, dehumidification and heating of concrete silos (www. kroll.de.en) Lights for Europe manufactures LEDs with applications such as indoor lighting, production, logistics and storage. The LEDs provided are not just energy efficient and provide minimum maintenance costs, but may also be used to optimize indoor lighting by different light beam propagation angles (www.lights.de/english/index.html) RBR Messtechnik manufactures emission analysers and pressure meters. Its products may be used for any combustion process. It provides both flue gas measurement and control devices and equipment for the diagnosis stationary measurement devices. (www.rbr.de/en) WILO SE is a top producer of energy efficient pumps and pumping systems for heating, cooling, air conditioning, water supply and waste water drainage installations (www.wilo.com) Wolf GmbH produces and distributes atmospheric or condensation water heaters and boilers, indoor and outdoor ventilation and air conditioning installations, solar panels, geothermal and air-water heat pumps, as well as cogeneration plants (www.wolf-heiztechnik.de)

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8

Immediately after the symposium, the German companies met with potential Romanian partner companies. They were accompanied for this purpose by employees of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce.

The costs of the event were covered by the German Federal Economy and Energy Ministry, under the Energy Efficiency made in Germany Programme. (www.ahkrumaenien.ro) A November 2015

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Events

The Kronstadt German Vocational School A

pragmatic urge together with the staunch support of German companies were reason enough to initiate a new dual technical education pilot project in Brasov (Kronstadt) beginning with 2012. By a fortunate joint venture of serious and tenacious partners, with the support of the Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK), the German Economic Club of Brașov (DWK), the Brașov City Hall and the Ministry of National all made possible the creation of the Kronstadt German Vocational School, a model which will be expanded at national level as an example of good practice.

Such extended cooperation set on pragmatic reasons and constant involvement are examples for how a pilot project for a return to normalcy provides new horizons towards economical opportunities in the area, based on the success and professional integration of the graduates. The tenacity and involvement of some companies supplying latest generation technology for its workshops and laboratories, the German Vocational School of Brașov offers new perspectives of training. As guests at the opening of the new academic year, we had the opportunity to take a few statements from some of those involved in the success of the SPGK project, which are given below.

Onuţ Iliescu

Interview with Ramona Ţiţeiu,

Head of the Kronstadt German Vocational School A When was the Kronstadt German Vocational School project initiated and how this idea came into being?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: The project was initiated by German companies around Braşov, which realized around 2007-2008 that blue collar workers were no longer available on the labour market. The education system prepared only technicians or engineers, and the companies had aging workers and no staff to replace them. In such conditions, German companies set up the DWK-Fit for Future association, which was aimed at setting up vocational schools and ultimately reviving the Romanian vocational education.

A What institutions supported you in the building and development of the project? What was the contribution of each participating entity?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: At the time of setting up the Kronstadt German Vocational School in 2012, three partners undertook various roles to support and promote it: n The Braşov City Hall, which made available the school building (the former Rulmentul high school) and rehabilitated it n The Braşov County Inspectorate, which requested the creation of the school and inclusion in the educational network of the county, and made teachers available n The DWK-Fit for Future 58 A English Issue November 2015

association, which undertook roles like equipping the school, managing the graduates and involving in the promotion of the school.

A What were the stages of the project, what is its current stage and what is next?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: In 2012, the school began its activities with 129 students, with 5 classes and 2 specializations (digitally operated machines and industrial electromechanic engineer.

Now, the school has 541 students in 20 classes and 5 specializations (besides the initial ones, we became trainers of tool and die makers, welders and leather and leather substitutes garment workers) at tier 3 qualification level, but also for mechatronics technicians (high school, tier 4 qualification level) for the very good students in our school, which we want to support to become university students.

In 2015, the Braşov city hall rehabilitated the school workshops, and partner companies fitted each workshop with high technology equipments. What follows is: n completing the technical endowment of the workshops n implementation of the Kaizen management system n the overhaul of the sports hall in 2016 n on the long term, the building of a dormitory, considering the out of county students (we have more than 100 students from 15 counties who are currently accommodated in dormitories of other 2 high schools of Braşov).

A How can the students register for classes and what is the absorption of the school’s graduates on the labour market?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: The registration is carried out based on the vocational education enrolment methodology, as approved by the Ministry of Education. This methodology enables us to carry out a selection procedure upon request by companies, which is exactly how things are going. The procedure consists in a written text (mathematics, technical thinking, logic, concentration) and an interview with the company.

Successful applicants have to achieve an average mark of 6, and the interview will account for 60% of this final average.

The absorption rate for graduates in their training companies was 94% for both years A What are the qualifications available to graduates? What is the training level of the graduates and how satisfied are the employers?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: The fact that the entire practical training takes place at the company, under the guiding of the training instructors (company employees who are tasked with training the students) is reflected in the familiarization of the students with company policies, and they are particularly working with the techniques, technologies and company standards. Thus, at the end of the school, the graduates are fully trained for their position, also taking into account that in the last semester of the last academic year, the training consists in practical work at the future company.

The idea behind this school emerged from the need of the Braşov companies for qualified technical staff. It is well known that before the set up of the German Vocation School (SPGK), both the parents and the children would shun such types of vocational training because of the general mindset that graduates of a vocational school have less than advanced studies and thus no employment prospects. In the last years, the Braşov economic environment, under the aegis of the DWK, together with the local authorities and the Ministry of National Education, managed to turn the tide and restore due respect for “trades”, by creating a modern school at European standards. The competition for admission to the SPGK is currently 6 applicants/ place, who are coming from other counties except Braşov, which means that the school already earned a national reputation in its three years of operation. In view of this success, DWK supports the implementation of a dual education system in all Romanian cities.

This fact will be addressed by a working group made up of representatives of Braşov, Sibiu, Alba, Hunedoara and Timişoara, structured around 3 subgroups: Train the trainer, Curriculum and Marketing. These subgroups will attempt to provide an optimum definition of the dual system in Romania, in partnership with the business sector and the Ministry of National Education. DWK supports any initiatives to create vocational schools and provides the wouldbe applicants with advice on the documentation required to create such a school.

Werner BRAUN, President of DWK – the German Economic Club

Representatives of Sandvik Coromant, Emco and Allmetech at the opening of the new SPGK laboratories

A What companies have assisted you in equipping the workshops and laboratories with advanced equipment? What are your technical needs for the future?

Ramona Ţiţeiu: All the partner companies (Premium Aerotec, Schaeffler, Draxlmaier Sisteme Tehnice, Stabilus, Preh, Rege, Continental, HiB Rolem, Ramoss, Caditec, Hutchinson, Hawema, Schulte-Schmidt, Euro Est Turbo Center, Kronospan, Lingemann) took part in the endowment of the workshops and laboratories, in addition to a long line of sponsors: Sandvik, Emco, Hoffmann,etc.

There will always be a need for real-life technology as used by companies, so that the students become accustomed to it and better prepared for their future tasks.

The Romanian-German Chamber of Commerce (AHK Romania) is one of the promoters behind this project and has the role to verify the vocational training quality and its compliance with the rigorous German standards.

Upon request by partner companies, AHK Romania supervised the examination of this school’s graduates and provided the above-average students with certificates of local dual qualification partially based on a German system.

The supervision process carried out this year was for the first time based on the quality standard and criteria of the Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) and included, among others: verification of suitability of each training instructor; verification that on-thejob training takes a significant share, that the assessment is based on objective and correct criteria and carried out by mixed examination commissions (instructors and teachers); observing the students at their final examination, when they presented a relevant project for their specialization.

These children are very good! Their final projects are exceptional: a barrier activated by miniature motion sensors, a mini cable car or a chess board, made when barely 16 or 17, are proof of their very good vocational training.

This is the result of a training period in which theoretical training is perfectly intertwined with practice and correlated with labour market needs. Exactly how the dual German system is designed.

Anca HOCIOTĂ, Vocational Training Manager at AHK Romania



Events 

Mini-Interview with Ramona Roşca, Managing Partner ALLMETECH Tools&Machines A What drove the Allmetech and Emco companies to get involved in this project? What did this involvement imply?

Ramona Roşca: Both EMCO and ALLMETECH are interested and permanently investing in technical training, being aware of the needs of this field. This is why the decision to support the practical training workshops of the vocational school in Braşov only came naturally. EMCO and ALLMETECH provided support in selecting the suitable equipment for the workshops, installation and commissioning, but also in the training of the teaching staff who will operate this equipment.

A How many machines have been made available to SPGK and how do they serve the future employments prospects of the students?

Ramona Roşca: EMCO provided the Kronstadt German Vocational School with 2 digitally controlled educational machines: a CONCEPT TURN 450 TCM lathe and a

CONCEPT MILL 250 cutter, both from the top range of educational machines available at EMCO. The EMCO educational machines have been designed for maximum versatility and adaptability to collective or individual training needs, so that the students are able to run similar applications with those of their future employing companies. Moreover, EMCO’s CONCEPT range has the significant advantage of the interchangeable controller, which means that the students will learn several programming languages on one machine.

A Will Allmetech and EMCO become involved in similar projects in Romania? Has EMCO contributed to similar projects in other countries?

Ramona Roşca: EMCO takes part annually is such projects all over the world. For instance, last year, it opened two centres of excellence: one in Slovenia and another in Honduras. We will open such a centre in Romania before the end of the year, not with educational machines, but with industrial equipment, since ALLMETECH aims to become even more involved in the development of this industrial segment.

The contemporary scientific thinking defines, creates and develops the MIND in and through the School, that “Lyceum” invented by Aristotle as an educational establishment oriented towards universal future. I congratulate the Followers and offer them our sincere contribution.

Laszlo JOSZAY, Coromant Manager Romania-Hungary Hoffmann Group – a strong European partner for the Kronstadt German Vocational School Since the beginning, as early as 2012, Hoffmann Group, European leader in the field of quality tools, had the honour to be close and support the Kronstadt German Vocational School every step of the way, according to the company values. The vocational training success of the Braşov school was immense, and the premises became simply too small.

Thus, in 2014, the decision was taken to extend the training workshops, a task undertaken by the companies supporting this project, including Hoffmann Group. In this context, Hoffmann Group installed furniture and latest generation locksmithing tools in the training premises.

The laboratory is equipped with 3 hexagonal work benches, each with 6 working places. The bench drawers are fitted with custommade hard foam insertions based on the 5S method, which protects and maintains in order the tools that will be used by the future young specialists. The laboratory is also fitted with 2 working benches accommodating 3 modern drilling machines, next to a double grinder placed on a vibrationfree stand.

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Vocational school is the starting point for a future profession, in a state of the art technological environment, providing benefits for skilled young people, as well as value for the school they are graduating. The Kronstadt school is what we want to see in all Romanian cities.

Sandvik Coromant wishes to congratulate all partners for their involvement in this project.

Maricel CHIRICA, Sandvik Coromant Romania Sales Manager In 2012, Bosch Rexroth provided the Kronstadt German Vocational School with two fully equipped didactic stands, fitted with hydraulic, pneumatic and electric elements, as well as Rexroth posters.

The Bosch Rexroth group also offered one hydraulic, pneumatic and electric diagram software. After installing all the equipments, our company held a one-week long training sessions on the use of the equipments. This project was carried out in partnership with the German Economic Club “DWK Fit for Future”.

The reason behind Bosch Rexroth involvement in this project was to support the students of this school to develop their technical skills and abilities, especially in the hydraulic, pneumatic and electric fields, as such knowledge will be useful at later stages in their careers.

Alexandru VAVA, Bosch Rexroth Project Manager

MIDEST is expanding its events in 2015 From 17th to 20th november at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre

M

IDEST, the global show ofindustrial subcontracting know-how, will be held for the 45th time from 17th to 20th November at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre at a time when industry in general and French industry in particular has sparked back into life. Professionals will have a unique opportunity to test out the reality of this recovery that has been running since the start of the year as they move up and down the aisles of the show and to prepare for what everybody hopes are calmer days to come.

More than ever, this event is seen by professionals as an effective aid for guiding their business, expanding it through contacts with visitors offering very real sales opportunities, and as offering them support in the midst of the changes and ruptures that industry is currently experiencing.

1. Lectures Investment, evolving relations between subcontractors and customers, business groupings, the economic recovery, employment and training, robotization, additive manufacturing and energy efficiency will be some of the themes to be covered.

The TV studio has been grouped together with the lecture space and it will host the big names of industry to be found in the show aisles: these highlights will be available on the www.midest.com web site and the MIDEST TV YouTube channel.

Cetim, the mechanical engineering technical centre, will also be organizing its eagerly awaited Flash conferences in the Place de la Mécanique, which it will be hosting in conjunction with the Fédération des Industries Mécaniques (Mechanical Engineering Federation).

2. Events n Romanian companies at MIDEST 2014

It is from this last perspective that the show has greatly expanded its conference and events programme this year. There are of course all the regular favourites: the industrial subcontracting awards, the world’s only set of awards exclusively dedicated to such businesses, organizations and sector knowhow, the business meetings, the TV studio...

Events anchored in the present… but looking to the future MIDEST has greatly expanded its conference and events programme this year and is focusing on major market themes: industry of the future, employment/training, the enterprise economy, trends/innovation.

On Wednesday, there will be a special day dedicated to the major challenge of employment and training. Staged in association with Fabrique de l’Industrie, it will involve numerous partners and its aim is to establish contacts between manufacturers and young people undergoing professional training.

For the first time, MIDEST is also setting up four info points devoted to the industry of the future, additive manufacturing, employment/training and the Industrial Subcontracting Awards.

Other events on offer to visitors and exhibitors alike include the Industrial Subcontracting Awards, which will highlight outstanding pieces of work.

The b2fair – Business to Fairs®business meetings will allow subcontractors and/or customers who want to forge concrete partnerships in a sector, a market or a specific geographical zone to establish links. A November 2015

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Economical missions

Romania-Taiwan bilateral business meetings I

n October-November 2015, TAITRA organized in Bucharest two events aimed at promoting the bilateral and regional economic cooperation between Taiwan and Romania.

The first event, carried out on October 19th, was organized in partnership with the Romanian Association for the Electronic and Software Industry (ARIES). The business delegation was made up of 14 people representing associations and companies.

The event had two sections: 1. The Romania-Taiwan business seminar – with opening speeches by Mr. Alexandru Borcea, President of ARIES, and Mr. Fred P. C. Huang, Vice-President of the Chinese International

Economic Cooperation Association (CIECA). This panel also held two presentations by Mrs. Meili Hsiao, General Director, the International Division, the Institute for Information Industry, and Mr. Levente SZÉKELY, Co-President, Chi Fu Investment Hungary Ltd. 2. Romania-Taiwan networking meetings, in the following fields: LED lighting systems, ICT research and development, logistic services, e-learning, ICT advisory services, solar farms, SMART city, ESCO, hydraulic power plant (less than 10 MW),

62 A English Issue November 2015

copper products, connectors, AC power cables, infrastructure engineering services, investments, etc. The event was carried out at Marshal Garden Hotel, Ametist Hall.

At the second event, the bilateral business meetings organized during the Taiwan Trade Mission in Bucharest took place on November 10th at the Intercontinental Hotel. The delegation included 34 companies, with the main objective of developing business relations with potential Romanian partners and exploring opportunities on the Romanian market.

The main products showcased were: LED bulbs; automotive parts and accessories; hand, electric and pneumatic construction tools; O-rings; assembly parts; electronic components; computer parts (Embedded System, Single Board Computer, Motherboard, Backplane, Power supplies, CPU, Cooler, Industrial Storage; plastic industry equipment, etc. A

“Japanese Component Buyer Exhibition” - Bucharest O

n November 18th, Ramada Parc Hotel of Bucharest hosted the event Japanese Components and Material Buyers Exposition, organized by JETRO, Japan External Trade Organization, Bucharest, in order to identify suppliers for Japanese companies seeking to purchase products on the local market. To provide T&T readers with more information on the event, Mr. Tasuku Furukawa, General Manager of JETRO Bucharest, was kind enough to answer a few questions in the mini-interview below:

A What were the reasons behind organizing this event?

Tasuku Furukawa: Many Japanese companies have production facilities in Europe, and the need for raw materials and quality and affordable components is increasing. In the past, many of these companies asked for information on the potential of Romania and became increasingly interested to cooperate with local companies. Some producers emphasize the quality of products and the technological capacity of the suppliers, while others give prefe­ rence to low costs.

trial automation fields, manufacturing of tools and electrical equipment, etc. On the other side, there were 34 potential supplier companies, most of them Romanian.

A What feedback did you receive at the end of the event?

T.F.: The feedback received from both the Japanese companies and Romanian suppliers was very positive. We are very happy and hope that discussions will advance in the following period and translate into mutually profitable long term cooperation, thus contributing to a further development of RomanianJapanese economic relations.

A Do you think there will be more such events?

T.F.: We believe that “Japanese Component Buyer Exhibition - BUCHAREST 2014” was a success and intend to include it in our plans for 2015, but the final decision will be taken early next year. Moreover, JETRO is analyzing the possibility to organize similar events in other Central and Eastern European states.

Of course, we answered positively to all requests and provided all the information we had available, but we thought this event is the best opportunity for both parties to get in direct contact and obtain all the information they need, and thus decided to organize “Japanese Component Buyer Exhibition - BUCHAREST”.

A How many companies took part in the event?

T.F.: The exhibitors (Japanese manufacturers/buyers) consisted in 10 companies from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Hungary and Romania, the products requested being sought in the automotive, rail, construction and indus-

JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) is a Japanese governmental organization set up in 1958, specializing in the promotion of trade and mutual investments between Japan and the rest of the world, who has been present in Romania ever since 1971. A November 2015

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Clusters and Associations

A dynamic association

Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania T

he Association of Automotive Manufacturers of Romania ACAROM is a professional body of companies involved in the automotive industry, associated in order to represent the interests of the automotive sector. ACAROM, a non-profit organization, has 144 members and was set up in 1996 pursuant to Law 21/1924.

Currently, ACAROM operates pursuant to Law 356/2001 and Emergency Ordinance 26/2000. ACAROM is a member of the CL of ACEA – European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. What the member companies have in common is that they design, manufacture and sell motor vehicles, materials, parts, modules, vehicle parts or provide related services and equipments for the manufacturing and maintenance of motor vehicles.

The ACAROM President is Dr. Eng. Constantin STROE, Vicepresident Dacia & Renault Technologie Roumanie.

The ACAROM priorities and programmes are the following:

1

Sustainable development of the sector in Romania n Attraction of new direct foreign investments, including in the automotive-related CDI sector n Modernization of products and technologies of the Romanian automotive companies n Consolidation and expansion of internal value chains of automotive assembly, component and service providers

2

Improving the general operational framework of ACAROM member companies n Continuation of efforts to give due consideration to the automotive sector in the framework of the national strategies for competitiveness, export and research and development n Concerted efforts with Dacia, Ford and APIA to restrict the trading with counterfeit automotive parts. n Prioritization of state aid to automotive companies. In the new European financial period; easier access to European funds. n Curtailing the import of second-hand vehicles.

64 A English Issue November 2015

ACAROM Member at Automechanika Frankfurt 2014 ď ą

n Involvement in the preparation of European regulations in the automotive field. n Promotion of reasonable automotive taxation and protection of the internal market against counterfeit automotive parts.

3

Promotion of direct exports of automotive parts and external cooperation n Participation of ACAROM members to international automotive parts fairs and foreign economic missions in the automotive field. n Promotion of international cooperation in the manufacturing of automotive parts.

4

Development of CDI in the automotive parts sector n Support of all investments in the automotive CDI, n Alignment of university curricula with the actual needs of automotive parts manufacturers

nM oulds, dies, tools, devices, robots,

machine tools, repairs, industrial software

n Interior trims The technologies covered by the ACAROM members consist in: n Surface coatings n Mechanical assemblies n Auto bodywork assembly n Brazing n CNC curving n Laser cutting n Cold extrusion n Plastic profiles extrusion n Manufacturing of yarns and textile fabrics nM anufacturing of paints, putties, sound

n Establishment of mutually beneficial contacts with companies, clusters, competitiveness poles or external CDI entities.

 Constantin Stroe (right), ACAROM President at Foreign Investors Summit 2014

n n n n n

proofing Manufacturing of moulds Manufacturing of steel rims Manufacturing of SDVs Manufacturing of non-woven textiles M anufacturing and processing of window glass

5

Human resources for the future – suited for the needs of the automotive industry n Adaptation of master and doctoral degrees to the current realities of the automotive industry. n Update of the vocational and technical education n Professional training according to specialties needed in the automotive industry.

The product range covered by ACAROM members consists in: n Moto vehicles; light commercial vehicles n Cast, forged, rolled semi-fabricates n Gearboxes, transmission parts n Engines, mechanical parts for engines n Suspension, steering, braking parts n Engine electrics n Bodywork parts and equipments n Lighting and signalling devices n Bodywork electric equipments n Fuel supply and cooling parts nA utomotive parts of plastic and composite

materials

n Automotive parts of rubber n Prototyping

 ACAROM Member at Automechanika Frankfurt 2014

ACAROM Member at Automechanika Frankfurt 2014 

nP ersonnel training, research, technical

expertise, consulting Forging Hydroforming Plastic injection Semi-fabricates Motor vehicle assembly Rubber processing Splintering processing CAD design, tests, consulting Process and technology design Industrial robots Sintering Foaming Die stamping, die forging, deep drawing Welding, soldering Plastic blowing Thermoforming Heat treatment Aluminium casting Cast iron casting Lead casting Painting Repairs, restorations. A (www.acarom.ro) n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

November 2015

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Clusters and Associations

The Transylvania Metal Processing Cluster (PrelMet Transilvania)

P

relMet represents 24 Romanian producers, three technical universities, local and regional authorities and non-governmental organizations.

The competitive advantage offered by the cluster structure begins at macroeconomic level and follows applied research processes, innovations, technological transfer in order to increase the competitiveness of the member companies.

The main objective of the PrelMet Transylvania Cluster is to increase the efficiency of companies and reduce the gaps between the national and the EU average. The target consists in the competitiveness increase of member companies.

The cluster seeks the development of the R&D&I activities, the transfer of technologies and coordination of cluster activities and projects for the international promotion of the cluster, for improved cooperation between the cluster members and for attracting new members.

The PrelMet Transylvania objectives are: n development of the metal processing sector in Romania n improved R&D&I capacity: driving cooperation between C&D and factories; improvement of cluster member access to R&D results n improved member access to technology transfers; improved productivity among cluster members n implement quality systems and increase the product quality of member companies n specific human resources training n improvement of the market positions of cluster members and access to new markets n development of cooperation and networking among cluster members n supporting a favourable business environment n internationalization

n PrelMet at Demo Metal 2015

Members of the Transylvania Metal Processing Cluster n Companies 1. S.C. Mecanic Tehnic S.R.L. Cugir 2. S.C. Preliv S.R.L. Cugir 3. S.C. Cuplaje-Prod S.R.L. Cugir 4. S.C. Scularie Cugir, Cugir 5. S.C. Romtehnica S.R.L. Sibot 6. S.C. Bulbucan S.R.L., Cugir 7. S.C. SGL Produc]ie & Comer] S.R.L., Cugir 8. S.C. Nova Grup S.R.L., Cugir 9. S.C. Tea S.R.L.S.C. Cugir 10. S.C. Brahia S.R.L., Alba Iulia 11. S.C. SebSteelMet S.R.L., Alba Iulia 12. S.C. Almi Import&Export S.R.L., Aiud 13. S.C. Marbad S.R.L. Cugir 16. S.C. Elden S.R.L. Pianul de jos 17. S.C. Prototip S.R.L. Cugir 18. S.C. COMPA S.A. Sibiu 19. S.C. Brandl S.R.L. Sibiu 20. S.C. Tehnomag CUG Cluj-Napoca S.A 21. S.C. Atta Consulting S.R.L. Alba Iulia 22. S.C. Parcul Industrial Cugir S.A. – Cugir 23. S.C. Acces Project Investments S.R.L. Ia[i 24. S.C. Pro Tehnic S.R.L. Cluj-Napoca n Universities 1. Cluj-Napoca Technical University, 2. Lucian Blaga University, Sibiu, 3. 1 Decembrie 1918 University, Alba Iulia n Regional and local authorities 1. The Regional Central Development Agency 2. The Alba County Council 3. The Alba Iulia City Hall 4. Cugir City Hall n NGOs 1. The SME FOundation – Alba Iulia 2. The AISTEDA University Foundation, Bucharest, Alba Iulia 3. The Bucharest Technological Development Centre

n PrelMet at Demo Metal 2015

66 A English Issue November 2015

n Mihacea Liliana – consultant

Companies index p.56

p.46, 48, 54

Bosch Rexroth

DMG MORI

Address: Aurel Vlaicu Str., no. 2, 515400, Blaj, Alba Phone: +40 356 433 098 Fax: +40 356 434.405 E-mail: info@boschrexroth.ro Website: www.boschrexroth.ro

Address: Bucureşti - Piteşti Hwy., DN 65B, Km 4+471, 110180, Piteşti Phone: +40 248 610 408 Fax: +40 248 610 409 Website: www.dmgmori.com

p.52

p.22

Chorus Engineering

Electroalfa International

Address: Lucian Blaga Str., no. 3, bl. J5, ap.16, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 322 48 99 Fax: +40 21 321 1715 E-mail: chorus@chorus.mc Website: www.chorusengineering.ro

Address: Manolesti Deal, no. 33, 710003, Botoşani Phone: +40 231 532 186 Fax: +40 231 532 185 E-mail: office@electroalfa.ro Website: www.electroalfa.ro

p.48

p.31

DBV RESEARCH

Faist Mekatronic Oradea

Address: Vergului Rd., no. 37, Bucureşti Phone: +40 723 315 106 E-mail: office@dbv-research.ro Website: www.dbv-research.ro

Address: Borşului Rd., no. 3211, 410605, Oradea, Bihor Phone: +40 359 803 600 E-mail: info@faist-precision.com Website: www.faist.net

p.50

p.32

Dinamic SRL

FANUC Hungary Ltd.

Address: Digului Rd., no. 10, 120320, Buzău Phone: +40 238 710 506 Fax: +40 238 726 171 E-mail: office@dinamic.ro Website: www.dinamic.ro

Address: Torbágy utca 20, H-2045, Törökbálint, Hungary Phone: +36 23 332 007 E-mail: marketing@fanuc.hu Website: www.fanuc.eu

November 2015

English Issue

A 67

Companies index p.20

p.44

FEPA

Icpe Actel

Address: Republicii Str., no. 316, 731120, Bârlad, Vaslui Phone/Fax: +40 235 411 812 E-mail: fepa@fepa.ro Website: www.fepa.ro

Address: Splaiul Unirii, no. 313, 030138, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 346 8690 Fax: +40 21 346 7267 E-mail: office@icpe-actel.ro Website: www.icpe-actel.ro

p.16, 57, 58

p.26

German-Romanian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

IP Automatic Design

Address: Clucerului Str., no. 35, et. 2, 011363, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 223 15 31; -32; -33; -34; -35 Fax: +40 21 223 15 38; 021 223 10 50 E-mail: drahk@ahkrumaenien.ro Website: rumaenien.ahk.de/ro/

Address: Industriei Str. no. 6, Lunca Corbului, Argeş Phone: +40 248 688 760 Fax: +40 248 688 765 E-mail: office@ipad.ro Website: www.ipad.ro

p.40,41,42,43,44

p.41

GreenBau Tehnologie SRL

IRUM

Address: Libertăţii Blvd., no. 12, bl. 113, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 337 7776 Fax: +40 21 337 7789 E-mail: greenbau@greenbau.ro Website: www.greenbau.ro

Address: Axente Sever Str., no. 6, 545300, Reghin, Mureş Phone: +40 265 512 639 Fax: +40 265 511 405 E-mail: office@irum.ro Website: www.irum.ro

p.43

p.38

Gevalco Industrial

MegaTitan

Address: Industriilor II Str., no. 13, Brăneşti, Ilfov Phone: +40 21 256 3073 Fax: +40 21 256 3032 E-mail: office@gevalco.eu Website: www.gevalco.ro

Address: Someşului Str., no. 31, Beclean, Bistrita-Nasaud Phone/Fax: +40 263 343 200 E-mail: office@megatitan.ro Website: www.megatitan.ro

68 A English Issue November 2015

p.28

p.34

Micromet

Procam

Address: Nicolae Titulescu Str., no.11, 620018, Focşani, Vrancea Phone/Fax: +40 237 627 784 E-mail: micromet@micromet.ro Website: www.micromet.ro

Address: Tamás Ernő Str., no. 1, 540307, Târgu Mureş, Mureş Phone: +40 265 311 435 Fax: +40 265 311 434 E-mail: office@procam.ro Website: www.procam.ro

p.24

p.40

Minex

SYSMEC

Address: Metalurgiei Rd., no. 85, 041832, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 306 0281 Fax: +40 21 306 0284 E-mail: minex@minex.ro Website: www.minex.ro

Address: Western Industrial Zone, I Str. no. 9, 310375, Arad, Arad Phone: +40 257 216 911 Fax: +40 257 216 914 E-mail: info@sysmec.ro Website: www.sysmec.ro

p.18

p.46

Plastor

Technology Signus

Address: Clujului Str., no. 175, 410546, Oradea, Bihor Phone: +40 259 207 101 E-mail: office@plastor.ro Website: www.plastor.ro

Address: Cartier Prundu DN65B, km 4+475, Piteşti, Argeş, România Phone: +40 735 445 322; +40 730 618 915 Fax: +40 248 271 048 E-mail: office@technology-signus.ro Website: www.technology-signus.ro

p.42

p.66

PrelMet

TRANDIUL

Address: Victoriei Str., no. 8A, Cugir, Alba Phone: +40 374 969 415 E-mail: prelmettransilvania@gmail.com Website: www.transilvaniaprelmet.wordpress.com

Address: Salcâmilor Str., no. 92A, Ştefăneşti, Argeş Phone/Fax: +40 248 265 138 E-mail: trandiul@yahoo.com Website: www.trandiul.ro

November 2015

English Issue

A 69

Products&Services SANU SERVICE RO SRL designs, manufactures and assembles industrial suction and ventilation installations, chimneys.

The main activity of INNO ROBOTICS is the commercialization and installation of industrial machinery and equipment, offering services at European standards, as: consulting, commercialization, installation, maintenance services, being in step with the newest technologies.

Company offers complete solutions for automation of various types of processes like: arc welding applications and manipulation applications.

INNO ROBOTICS

SANU SERVICE RO

Address: Tăietura Turcului Str., no. 47, Cluj-Napoca, Cluj Phone: +40 364 805 073 Fax: +40 372 876 858 E-mail: office@innorobotics.ro Website: www.innorobotics.ro

Address: Topolovățu Mare Str., no. 415, Topolovățu Mare, Timiș Phone: +40 256 332 283 Fax: +40 256 328 278 E-mail: office@sanu.ro Website: www.sanu.ro

Microtek is a Romanian manufacturer of professional standard and special metal cutting tools. The company performs also services of regrinding and PVD coatings for carbide and HSS tools.

Microtek owns the last generation machines and technology, used to offer his customers the best quality products and services. The product portofolio covers a wide range of cutting tools, used in the metal processing industry: end mills, drills, reamers, biax cutters.

The Romanian National Committee of World Energy Council (WEC) is a NGO, member of the World Energy Council. Founding member of the CME since 1924, WEC is a strategic partner in developing sustainable energy supply and use of all forms of renewable energy. RNC members are leading companies, organizations, institutions in Romania, interested in energy decision making process at national and international level.

MICROTEK

CNR-CME

Address: Noua Str., no. 27, Codlea, Braşov Phone: +40 268 506 406 Fax: +40 268 506 407 E-mail: info@microtek.ro Website: www.microtek.ro

Address: Lacul Tei Rd., no. 1-3, 020371, Bucureşti Phone: +40 21 211 4155 Fax: +40 21 211 4156 E-mail: ghbalan@cnr-cme.ro Website: www.cnr-cme.ro

70 A English Issue November 2015

Our core activities have been dedicated over more than 15 years to gears and fine mechanics. The complexity of the products and services provided

by Nova has achieved a high level in the last years, due to our increasing interest in creating modern and up-to-date premises, governed by competent management, skilled and trained staff, all linked by ISO 9001 certified processes.

Set-up in 1833 and being part of the French industrial group MOB since 1998, IUS S.A. - Brasov ("IUS") is the sole manufacturer of professional hand tools in Romania.

During the past years, the development of IUS has been marked by a series of events among which the most important are the relocation, in 2009, of the original factory to an upgraded plant, the modernization of production and the improvement of product quality (adapted to a high standard of requirements), as well as the construction and relocation of the company’s headquarters.

Nova Grup S.R.L.

MOB & IUS

Address: Victoriei Str., no.22A, Cugir, Alba Phone: +40 258 755 727 Fax: +40 258 755 724 E-mail: office@novagrup.ro Website: www.novagrup.ro

Address: Narciselor Str., no. 50, 500251, Braşov Phone: +40 268 333 429 Fax: +40 268 311 553 E-mail: marketing@ius.ro Website: www.mob-ius.ro

ALWO is your solution for problems regarding industrial ventilation, air filtering from many activity fields: woodworking industry, metallurgy, mechanical – welding, automotive, cement, chemical and food industry, painting branch, material storage bunker, belt conveyors, helical conveyors, elevators with cups.

Having over 35 year experience in the automotive industry, the company Componente Auto S.A. (CAT Group) recommends itself as a reliable partner both for the original equipment (OE) market, and for the spare part one by its activity of design, development and manufacture of parts and assemblies.

COMPONENTE AUTO TOPOLOVENI Address: Maximilian Popovici Str., no. 59, 115500, Topoloveni, Argeş Phone: +40 248 607 120/125 Fax: +40 248 607 140 E-mail: office@catgroup.ro Website: www.catgroup.ro

ALWO THERM Address: Valea Măgurei Str., no. 10, 022923, Bucureşti Phone: +40 031 103 2127 Fax: +40 031 101 2184 E-mail: alwo@exhaustare.ro Website: www.exhaustare.ro

November 2015

English Issue

A 71

Products&Services We activate in the field of conveyor manufacturing (references: www.selftrust.ro), for food industry: bakery, chocolatery, meat processing, beverage, coffee processing, sugar but also in other industry segments: printing industry, power tools industry, wood industry.

AAGES produces large range of induction heating equipments used in different areas of applications.

These include heat treatments like surface hardening and stress relief of welded joints; melting in coreless furnaces; heating for metal forming by pressing, forging, rolling, stamping, pulling and extrusion; heating for brazing, warm assembly and plastic coating; heating in chemical industry.

AAGES LtD. Address: Agricultorilor Str., no. 16, Singeorgiu de Mureş, Mureş Phone: +40 265 213 043 Fax: +40 265 215 769 E-mail: office@aages.ro Website: www.aages.ro

SELF TRUST Address: Bucium Str., no. 34, Iaşi Phone/Fax: +40 232 406 041 E-mail: office@selftrust.ro Website: www.selftrust.ro

General Numeric SRL is a local manufacturer of CNC plasma, oxigas and laser cutting machines, milling machines for soft materials – CNC routers, other specialized CNC machines (glue machines, measurement machines, positioning devices, etc) and CNC controls.

Producer of light steel confections; trolleys shelfs; workshop shelf. n Producer of material with: laser cutting; CNC punching n Welding with: Mig-Mag; Wig; spot with CNC. n Powder coating; Electrochemical galvanizing

GENERAL NUMERIC Address: Turnului Str., no.5, 500152, Braşov Phone: +40 371 112 965 Fax: +40 268 328 518 E-mail: office@generalnumeric.ro Website: www.generalnumeric.ro

72 A English Issue November 2015

PLAMETCO

Address: Orizontului Str., no. 3, Sânpetru, Braşov Phone: +40 268 548 095 Fax: +40 268 548 096 E-mail: office@plametco.ro Website: www.plametco.ro

 TEHNICĂ ŞI TEHNOLOGIE

ENGLISH ISSUE | NOVEMBER 2015

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