Wittmann-Battenfeld presents SmartPower servo-hydraulic molders at Fakuma

"We haven't been lazy since K," Michael Wittmann, General Manager, Wittmann Group, told journalists at a press conference today at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany. And he wasn't kidding.

First things first: the company looks to be having a stellar year. Although it is falling just shy of the €300 million in sales that it wanted to reach in 2014, the Wittmann Group does anticipate surpassing the 2013 figure by 7%. The company expects to breach the €300 million threshold in 2015, forecasting sales revenue of €320 million.

In stark contrast with the gloomy economic news coming out of Europe at the moment, the company has registered stronger than expected growth in Spain, Italy, and France. And 2015 is shaping up rather nicely, as well. "It's a bit astonishing, but this is a very healthy market for us," said Wittmann. "My colleagues are even very optimistic about the German market [for 2015]."

Having reviewed the financials, Wittmann and Georg Tinschert, Managing Director of Wittmann-Battenfeld, ran through the various expansions underway. A production center for large machines and platens in Kottingbrunn, Austria, is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2015, and construction started this month on a new material handling center about 15 kilometers outside of Vienna. It is expected to be up and running in September 2015.

On the equipment side, Wittmann Battenfeld is highlighting its SmartPower servo-hydraulic systems at Fakuma this year. The machines will be available in clamping forces ranging from 25 to 120 t starting in January 2015, but you're welcome to come kick the tires on the 60- and 120-t machines that are on display at booth 1204 in hall B1. A key feature of the line is energy efficiency, a theme that Wittmann and Tinschert hit on frequently during the press conference when talking about this and other technologies the company is highlighting at Fakuma.

In addition to a new energy-efficient servo-hydraulic drive system that enables integration of the company's Kinetic Energy Recovery System, SmartPower machines feature a small footprint combined with a "generous mold mounting area."

Demand for automation is increasing dramatically, added Wittmann, and the company is showcasing some of its solutions at the stand, as well: Expansion of the W8 pro robot series and the new WS80 servo sprue picker are among the featured items.

Finally, the company announced the launch of a QuickLook app that allows staff on the shop floor to view the state of machine operations on Android and IOS platforms.

Fakuma runs through October 18 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.