Monforts Vice President Klaus A. Heinrichs, providing information on the impact of Monforts activities taking place under the umbrella of Fong's Industries, stated that with the support of their shareholders, their portfolio was constantly expanding. Mr. Heinrichs gave the following remarks on the subject; “Monforts, is a member of the CHTC Fong's Industries Group. Today, the CHTC Fong's Group serves as one of the most powerful and biggest textile machinery suppliers, worldwide. Monforts, while becoming an integral part of the group, at the same time, is carrying out its own R&D activities, in our Center, which is located in Mönchengladbach. We can say that our mission in CHTC Fong's Group is to undertake the task & to function as a think-tank, an advisory, on behalf of the Group, in the areas of dyeing & finishing machines. Since its establishment in the year 1884, Monforts has been the worldwide leader manufacturer in the areas of stenters, continuous dyeing ranges, compressive shrinking ranges and especially in denim finishing ranges. With the great support from our Shareholders’, we are constantly expanding our portfolio.”
“We Are Continuing Production In Our Plant in Europe”
Mr. Heinrichs stated that taking part under the umbrella, on behalf of CHTC Fong’s had been a positive development for Monforts and also underlined that Monforts continued its production in their manufacturing facilities. Mr. Heinrichs indicated that as of today, Monforts is continuing its production in two separate production facilities, one located in Austria and the other, in China. “Apart from the activities carried out in our huge R&D Center, which was formed by the great support of Fong’s Industries, we are still continuing production facilities at our own production plant located in Austria. Many people have spread the news that our plant is no longer being used, but this is not true. Alongside with our other brands, we are also performing the production of Montex at our production facilities located in Austria. And in our modern production plant located in Zhongshan, the Guangdong region of China, especially for South East Asian markets, we are mainly focused on the production of stenters.”
“Our Acquisition Of Timatec Has Provided Positive Contribution”
“With the support of CHTC Fong’s, we established the acquisition of Timatec, an Austrian Company, manufacturing industrial coating machinery, which as a result, enabled us to benefit from their technical knowledge” says Mr. Heinrichs & explains, “Monforts, as the manufacturer of finishing machinery, will continue to be the worldwide leader & with the acquisition of Timatec, this is a further step towards the future.”
As Monforts Sales Manager Mr. Manfred Havenith stated in his wordings; “Nowadays the textile industry, is hosting more functions. Consisting of a wide range of applications including fire protection, fire retardant, coating materials, medical textiles and many more, there is a need of technical equipments for the stretching unit. And this is what we are promising through the new ownership of Timatec.”
Eco-Friendly Products Were Introduced At ITMA
Mr. Klaus A. Heinrichs, mentioning the innovations that had been introduced at ITMA in Milan the recent months, stated that their experience at ITMA Milan resulted with success. Mr. Heinrichs in his wordings explained, “Innovations were presented in many different areas at ITMA, in Milan. It was one of the most successful presentations Monforts has done so far. With the acquisition of Timatec, we had the opportunity to present our innovations in the areas of technical textile machinery, which as a result, received the attention from our clients.” Mr. Heinrichs emphasized that by the acquisition of the Coating Specialist Timatec, Monforts, was able to offer a complete coating solution package for all coating applications and indicated that today, as a manufacturer of coating machinery, only Monforts, by itself, could offer and provide a holistic coating service.
Mr. Heinrichs indicated that with Monforts focusing on energy and effective resource conservation solutions, ecology was one of the areas, which they had highlighted at ITMA and explained that under this topic they had introduced the Heat Recovery Unit with Automatic cleaner: the new Eco Booster. Mr. Heinrichs, gave the following remarks on the subject; “Eco Booster, allows a computer-controlled adaptation to the heat recovery performance of the current exhaust air system. With the automatic cleaning feature, during the production process, the machine does not need to be stopped. When it comes to the Heat Recovery Unit, thanks to the high availability feature, during the finishing process the cleaning process is also performed. Following this, we also introduced the integrated exhaust air cleaner, to further reduce the release of emissions into the environment. This is also an innovation that will be compelling to the Southeast Asian markets. As we all know, environmental pollution is a huge problem in the world. In Beijing and other major cities, we have adopted to the issue of environmental pollution, as being such a serious problem. Not only in China, but also in Germany, environmental pollution is a matter that receives a lot of attention. We believe that it is our responsibility to develop equipments for environmental protection as well as for cleaning the exhausted air.”
Mr. Heinrichs stated that in addition to the Eco Booster, another innovation that they introduced at ITMA, was the 'Wide-Width Stenter', and said, “The Wide Width Stenter Machine, having a working width up to 7 meters used in the tensioning process, has been designed to be compatible with many different company lines, for the drying of nonwoven materials.”
Energy Saving With The Eco Applicator
One of the innovations Monforts presented at ITMA 2015 was also the Eco Applicator. Providing information about the product, Monforts Regional Sales Manager Manfred Goffart explained that the Eco Applicator was a kind of kiss-roller, used for chemical applications and mainly as a replacement for the padder and also said that at ITMA, they had introduced a new version applicable for knitted fabrics. Mr. Goffart, gave the following information about the product; “The principle of the Eco Applicator, is to apply less moisture on the chemicals. Necessary drying energy in a stenter –subsequent to an Eco Applicator- is much lower than the energy required to dry the fabric. So, where the initial moisture content of the padder ranges between 60-70, with the Eco Applicator application, the moisture content is reduced by up to 50 percent and the rate can be decreased to 40 or 35. This application enables the following drying process to be more effective as well as lowering the amount of energy requirement. Another feature is that you can control the percentage rate of the chemicals applied on the fabrics. In addition, it provides the chemicals to be applied in a much more better way. With the Eco Applicator, you can accurately define the percentage and rate to be applied on the fabrics. So as a result, with the Eco Applicator, you can also make savings from the chemicals side.”
As Mr. Goffart explained that the Eco Applicator prior, had only been oriented towards woven fabrics and that the Turkish manufacturers displayed a special interest for this product, he also expressed that they had been very pleased with the interests of the Turkish visitors at ITMA. “We have always had excellent relations with Turkish customers, and although competition in Turkey is becoming tougher, I believe Monforts is an exclusive supplier for the Turkish markets” says Mr. Goffart and added that the Turkish customers may also be interested in the Eco Applicator, which is used for the finishing of knitted fabrics.
Industrial Excellence Award for Eco-Applicator
Indicating that at ITMA 2015, with the Eco Applicator, they had been among one of the finalists nominated for the ‘Industrial Excellence Awards’ under the scope of ‘Sustainable Innovation Awards’ and had won the 2’nd prize, Mr. Klaus Heinrichs then gave remarks upon the awards, saying; “We are very pleased for having achieved the 2’nd prize. Unfortunately we couldn’t win the 1st Prize, but we knew that there were more than 32 finalists. I believe in the face of innovation, this is a very good achievement for Monforts.”
Stressing that the Eco-Applicator provided considerable energy savings in a wide range of applications Mr. Heinrichs, quoted as saying, “With the Eco Applicator, for one-sided dyeing, pigment in some applications; in other applications to provide water & oil resistance, we can apply chemicals such a functional plasticizers and fluorocarbon.”
Energy management, for many long years, has been among the primary targets of Monforts, as they also participated in the VDMA 'Blue Competence' initiative, Mr. Klaus Heinrichs, explained the other important features of the ecological solutions provider in these words; “The E-controlled dyeing process with the continuous dyeing ranges; provides great advantages in terms of energy savings for customers. Where 20 or more hours are needed for discontinuous processes, in 2 minutes you can receive continuous dyeing result.”
The New Montex Hybrid Chain Is Maintenance Free
Also providing information about the new Stentering chain, introduced at ITMA, Klaus Heinrichs, stated that the new Montex Hybrid chain is maintenance free over its lifetime. Explaining that a new development upon denim finishing might also be appealing to the Turkish markets, Mr. Heinrichs expressed his wordings as saying; “As Monforts, we announced the further extension of the denim line with a double-rubber belt shrinking unit, which we had introduced 15 years ago. Further more, another system that we have developed for denim is the Eco-Line.”
“We Are The Leader In Turkey And Globally Under The Field Of Denim Finishing Machinery”
Stressing that Monforts is an advanced manufacturer in the field of denim finishing lines, Mr. Klaus Heinrichs, indicated that especially at ITMA, there were many clients performing their finishing process through these lines. “Turkey's largest denim manufacturers, are using Monforts’ machines for their denim finishing processes” says Mr. Heinrichs and continued as follows; “With the new features of the Thermex stretching unit new areas are emerging, where we can emphasize our leadership under the field of denim and so I can say, when speaking upon denim finishing, as all over the world also in Turkey, Monforts’ is the first name that comes to mind. We have further developed the Compressive shrinking machines, for providing high availability and easy maintenance. In the area of Denim lines, both in the world market and in Turkey, we are the leading manufacturer.”
The New Stretching System Of Monforts
Mr. Manfred Goffart, on the other hand, provided information about their new stretching system patented by Monforts, as he explained, saying, “Unlike the conventional weft straightener with a number of bow rollers or diagonal rollers, this system contains a multi roller unit. With the system that we have developed, we are able to adjust the position of the rollers. During the passage of the fabric, one of the most vital factors is the ability to smoothly and comfortably adjust the weft. The fabric is neither exposed to trial printing nor to stress. With the weft straightener you have to perform the process on the weft scraper, however with the Thermex, you are able to perform this process, only through 40-meter tracks and with the guidance of the cameras which have been placed at the exit section, when faced with distortions, in order to perform the correction, you can instantly, automatically intervene with the positions of the rollers. This system is patented by Monforts.”
“In 2015, We Achieved A Success, Higher Then Our Targets”
Explaining that in 2015, they had achieved a success, which exceeded the targets that they had settled for, Mr. Klaus Heinrichs quoted as saying, “As we reached our targets in 2015, we also achieved a success, exceeding our targets and this is a very positive development. Although some markets have slightly gone down, such as the Brazilian market, other markets have raised to a higher level. In fact, Germany is developing quite positively. When it comes to the Turkish market, we can say that, 'it could have been better', because Monforts, extending to the present, has established a very positive potential base, in the Turkey market.”
“With Our Innovations We Are Being Imitated”
Providing information also about their 2016 targets for sustainable technologies & the current markets, Klaus Heinrichs expressed his wordings saying, “We always have to find an advantage for customers. Therefore, I believe that it not enough to progress only through sustainability. Our customers must be provided with both economic and ecological elements. I think that, many of our innovations that we have developed, is one of the most important factors of Monforts great success worldwide. As our innovations are being constantly monitored, we see that we are being imitated by other manufacturers throughout the world.”
Monforts Focuses On ‘Reproducibility’ Of The Processes
Indicating that the Monforts Group was focusing on developing systems at the machinery manufacturing and equipment phase in order to provide ‘reproducibility’, Mr. Manfred Goffart, explained the innovations performing the process control via PLC-controls and Teleservice, quoted as saying; “When compared with other suppliers, we are working on ways to offer a lot more to our customers as possible as we can. For example, we have advanced PLC controls. Thus, at the production lines, through automation, a more secure process control will be attained. Not only in denim lines, but also at the same time to all of our customers, in our lines, we are working to provide a high level of automation & ‘reproducibility’ in the best way, through out the duration of their processes.”
Monforts Innovations Are Tested In The Technology Center
Mr. Manfred Goffart providing information about Monforts technology center located in Mönchengladbach, stated that the center was equipped with different machines. Explaining that the Technology Center contained 2 stenter lines, Mr. Goffart continued with his words, saying; “The current 1’st stenter line, is designed with a the coating machine, which includes a stretching line and is mainly for technical textile finishing. Enabling different temperature settings in this system that we have named as 'Twin-Therm, there are compartments, which at higher and lower levels, provides the opportunity to make adjustments for different temperatures. This stenter machine, can reach up to 300 degrees Celsius. Our other machine is a stenter line, where we installed the Eco Applicator for knitwear and is used for the finishing process of knitted garments. Then, comes a larger machine, the Thermex. While the duration of the continuous dyeing process, we are able to simulate the e-control process with the dyeing padder and the infrared pre-dryer. Finally, at the laboratory side we our fully equipped department. Here, by also taking advantage of all recipes, we are able carry out the necessary preparations.”
“Our New Representative In Turkey Is Neotek Tekstil”
Mr. Heinrichs stated that for 2016 in Turkey they were forming a new structure directed towards the Turkish market & gave the following information about the sales activities to be carried out with Neotek Tekstil saying; “Turkey is one of our most important markets for Monforts. We are confident that our representative, the Neotek Company will be our professional partner for Turkish market. As a result, we believe that with Neotek as within denim finishing and also under the areas of dyeing and finishing of knitted and woven fabrics, we will be displaying our expertise in the best way & provide benefits in this area for the Turkish customers.” Mr. Goffart providing insights upon their 2016 targets for the Turkish markets quoted as saying, “We want to further increase our turnover in Turkey as we are aware of the potential there. Turkish customers are heading to the path of specialization. Standard textile in many cases is manufactured in the far eastern countries. The Turkish customer targets and invests in areas where they can produce value-added products and we are the right partners for these Companies. For this reason on behalf of Monforts, we see a lot more potential in the Turkish markets.”
