Around 150 customers from 30 countries once again travelled from around the world to attend this year’s Open House at the Kautex Maschinenbau headquarters in Bonn. Over the course of two days, the manufacturer of extrusion blow molding machines presented many new developments, techniques and trends from the business fields of packaging, automotive and special applications.

Things kicked off on the first day with topics for the packaging industry. In expert talks given by internal and external speakers, topics presented included developments on a new electric canister machine and the possibilities offered by the microcellular foaming technique. The following day covered special applications and topics from the automotive sector. Kautex experts provided information about the manufacture of composite pressure vessels and the development of a new suction blow molding machine for manufacturing 3D-shaped engine parts.

This year, Kautex Maschinenbau not only looked to the future but also to the past. To mark the 80th anniversary of the Kautex brand, a company chronicle was created and artefacts and milestones from company history were brought together to form an exhibition. This included the world’s first commercially used blow molding machine from 1949, which is still fully functional today. To prove this, this vintage technology was used to produce a retro-style bottle from the 1950s for the international visitors.

Machines in operation
In addition to the talks, visitors who had travelled from all over Europe, Africa, Asia and the US were able to experience a total of 23 machines in production use. The first virtual machine, developed by Kautex for training purposes, was presented to the visitors.

About Kautex Maschinenbau
This year, Kautex is celebrating its eightieth anniversary. Eight decades shaped by innovative strength and services for its customers make Kautex Maschinenbau a globally leading provider within extrusion blow molding technology today. At the same time, the Chinese office in Shunde is celebrating its 20th anniversary, originally founded as the first German joint venture in the South Chinese province of Guangdong. The company’s international customers include automobile firms and suppliers, as well as companies from the packaging industry. They all rely on the expertise of a brand that represents quality and reliability. With 400 employees in Germany and a further 140 employees worldwide, the company generates an annual turnover of over 100 million euros. Besides its headquarters in Bonn and regional offices in the USA, Russia, China, Italy and India, Kautex Maschinenbau maintains a dense global network of service and distribution offices.

Retrofitting for the most up-to-date processes
Some 25 percent of Kautex Maschinenbau's turnover is generated by its extensive range of servicing programs, including retrofitting. “This is a key market segment”, says Managing Partner Andreas Lichtenauer, “because our machines also have such an excellent reputation in the second-hand market.” The company’s retrofitting program provides customers with a cost-effective way of adapting their existing Kautex machines to meet the very latest standards, so that key aspects such as productivity, operator comfort, flexibility and safety continue to be maintained.

Since last year, it has been possible for companies to have their used Kautex machines modernized directly in the Shunde plant. This year will see the 20^th anniversary of the establishment of Shunde Kautex, which in 1995 became the very first German joint venture to be set up in the southern region of Guangdong.

Kautex at Chinaplas 2015
At the Chinaplas trade fair this year, Kautex Maschinenbau will be showing a KB25 suction blow molding machine that has been modernized at the Shunde plant. The machine, which is used for manufacturing air ducts, has been fitted with a 1.8 liter high-temperature accumulator head and a low-wear E60 extruder. It has also been equipped with a full suction blow molding unit. “We’ve noticed a growing demand for suction blow molding machinery in Asia”, explains Andreas Lichtenauer. “This kind of machinery has traditionally been produced at our plant in Bonn. Currently we are checking if we can fulfill those demands for modern suction blow molding machinery directly from our production plant in Shunde.”

Kautex Maschinenbau celebrates significant milestones
This year Kautex celebrates its 80th year in business. Eight decades of providing its customers with innovative products and services have turned Kautex Maschinenbau into one of the world's leading companies in extrusion blow molding technology. At the same time the Chinese subsidiary in Shunde celebrates its 20^th anniversary, after being established as the first German joint venture in the Guangdong region of southern China. With customers that include major automobile manufacturers and suppliers, as well as companies working in the packaging industry. All of them have come to rely on the knowledge and experience of a brand that stands for both quality and reliability. With over 400 employees in Germany and a further 140 around the world, Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH currently has an annual turnover in excess of €100 million. In addition to its HQ in Bonn and regional offices in the USA, Russia, China, Italy and India, Kautex operates an extensive network of service and sales offices around the world.