GARANT is growing! While companies from other industries come and go in the Erfurter Kreuz industrial estate, GARANT continues to grow: a good ten per cent increase in turnover was achieved in 2021. GARANT is also investing 10 million euros in innovative production technologies this year. One highlight: the new spraying robot for the production of white lacquer doors.
Spraying robot with new painting technology
The new spraying robot is GARANT's biggest investment in 2021, with an impressive €3.6 million invested in this technology alone. Unlike its predecessor, the new spraying robot no longer stops the doors in the production process, but paints them as they pass through, resulting not only in significantly increased production capacities, but also a noticeably improved surface quality. To ensure the continuous operation of this highly technical robot, the nine plant operators were specially trained. A training course on handling the new technology prepared them for working with their new robot colleague. They also provide support during set-up and now know every detail here.
White lacquer doors: unbroken popularity
GARANT 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 frames were manufactured in the production halls at Erfurter Kreuz in 2021.
There is a simple reason why the company is now investing in white lacquer production: white lacquer doors dominate the door market. Of the almost 800,000 doors produced, the white classics make up around 70 per cent. Consumers particularly appreciate the timeless and elegant design of these doors, which can be perfectly combined with furnishing styles of all kinds. Reason enough to invest in the lacquering process.
Complex process for optimum results
The lacquering of the white lacquered doors is carried out according to defined quality criteria: In several steps, a high-quality and hard-wearing surface is created that remains durable and easy to clean for years. An environmentally friendly roller coating process enables optimum primer and lacquer application to the surface. An initial hydro primer is followed by multiple coats of acrylic lacquer, which is then UV-cured.A combination of rolling and spraying processes is used for profiled surfaces. The profiles are first primed using the spraying process and the smooth surfaces are then hydro-primed using the rolling process. In the final step, the new spraying robot puts its skills to the test: it is responsible for the multiple acrylic paint application, which is then completed with UV curing.
From left to right: Chris Herrmann (system 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/