GARANT is growing! Whilst companies from other sectors come and go in the Erfurter Kreuz industrial estate, GARANT is growing steadily: it achieved a turnover increase of a good ten per cent in 2021. This year, too, GARANT is investing 10 million euros in innovative manufacturing technologies. One highlight is the new spray-painting robot for the production of white-painted doors.
Spraying robot with new painting technology
The new spray painting robot represents GARANT’s largest investment in 2021. A staggering 3.6 million euros has been invested in this technology alone. Unlike the previous model, the new spray robot no longer stops the doors during the production process, but paints them as they pass through. The result is not only a significant increase in production capacity, but also a noticeably improved surface finish. To ensure the smooth, continuous operation of this highly technical robot, the nine production line operators have undergone specialised training. Training on how to use the new technology prepared them for working with their new robotic colleague. They also assist with the set-up and now know every detail of the process.
White-painted doors: their popularity shows no sign of waning
GARANT’s interior doors are generally very popular: a good 95 per cent of the doors are sold in Germany. A total of 785,000 doors and 650,000 door frames were manufactured in 2021 at the production facilities at Erfurter Kreuz.
There is a simple reason why the company is now investing in white-lacquer production: white-lacquer doors dominate the door market. Of the nearly 800,000 doors manufactured, these classic white models account for around 70 per cent. Consumers particularly appreciate the timeless and elegant design of these doors, which blends superbly with all kinds of interior styles. Reason enough to invest in the lacquering process.
A complex process for optimal results
The lacquering of white lacquered doors is carried out in accordance with defined quality criteria: a high-quality and durable surface is created in several stages, which remains long-lasting and easy to maintain for years to come. An environmentally friendly roller-coating process ensures optimal application of the primer and lacquer to the surface. Following an initial hydro-primer coat, several coats of acrylic lacquer are applied and UV-cured. For profiled surfaces, a combination of roller and spray coating processes is used. Here, the profiles are first primed using the spray process, and the smooth surfaces are then coated with a hydro-based primer using the roller process. In the final step, the new spray robot really demonstrates its capabilities: it is responsible for applying multiple coats of acrylic paint, which are then finished off with UV curing.
From left to right: Chris Herrmann (plant operator), Dirk Wöllner (plant manager) and Enrico Stephan (operator) (Photo: Bernd Jentsch)
Recognising the challenges of the future and making targeted investments
Rising raw material prices and the increasing shortage of skilled labour in Germany are current challenges for companies. GARANT focuses on innovative technologies and thus invests in the future of the company and its employees. Investments in new technology and systems create attractive and sustainable jobs. In addition, GARANT is a training company that stands for high-quality vocational training with modern production facilities. The company provides training in seven professions and is working to counteract the shortage of skilled labour with a great deal of initiative and commitment.
Further links
https:// www.garant.de/produkte/oberflaechensortiment/weisslacktueren.html
https:// www.karriere.garant.de/