Face to face
Pressing matters
P
ress manufacturer, Walter NEFF GmbH,
ISMR visits German press
was founded in 1948. Over 6000 of its
presses – from 25 to 25,000 kN – are
manufacturer, Walter NEFF
in successful service in various countries. The
company’s production range comprises hydrau-
GmbH, and discusses new forming
lic presses for sheet and massive metal forming,
pulsating blank holder (PBH) technology, plastic processes and technologies with
forming and monitored/documented assembly
processes for hot forming
its managing director
In addition to the design and development of
new machines and systems with accompanying
technical support, it also offers services such as
official safety inspections, preventative mainte-
nance, assembly and repair work and upgrades/
modifications to hydraulic presses.
ISMR took a trip to Germany to meet its man-
aging director, Oliver Dörmann, at the compa-
ny’s headquarters in Karlsruhe (Germany), where
it employs forty people.
ISMR: Please can you outline
Neff’s achievements and success-
es in 2006?
OD: In 2006, we had very good turnover levels
– our main focus was on double-sided presses
and presses from 400 tonnes pressure up to 1000
tonnes. In our main field (stamping presses), we
delivered a complete production line (forming
press for Miele in Austria for a new press prod-
uct). Our turnover last year was 10 million euros
– a 15% increase on the year before.
“We believe we have a lot
ISMR: From where do you at-
tribute this profi t increase?
of expertise in hot forming.
OD: The profit increase can be attributed mainly
We delivered our first hot
to new areas, new techniques and new custom-
ers. When I say ‘techniques’, I am thinking in
forming press in 2002
terms of hot forming but also of new special
projects (such as the pilot project for Miele). We
and have delivered eight
think, for the future, that we will receive more
orders for the type of presses we supplied to
presses altogether, mainly to
Miele. In general, our lead time for a hot forming
press is 8-10 months. European customers”
16 March/April 2007 International Sheet Metal Review
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