TruLaser Tube 7000
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Success despite the crisis: Sheet metal components from a single source
Robert Plersch places his bets on flexibility: bending, tube cutting and laser welding. He runs a job shop to meet every need.
Robert Plersch hates saying no - especially to his customers. "You have to do what other people either can't or don't want to do," is the philosophy he applies when running the fifth-generation family business located in southern Germany. For him, flexibility is the name of the game and he covers the entire range of sheet metal machining operations.
"We see ourselves as a system supplier and provider of complete solutions," the CEO emphasizes, pointing to operating consoles and control cabinets made of stainless steel. They were manufactured in close co-operation with customers and are now waiting to be signed off by quality assurance.
A broad performance spectrum: bending, tube processing, laser welding
His factory processes steel, aluminum and stainless steel, in thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 20 millimeters. That broad range places considerable demands on the equipment used here and regular investments are a matter of course to Plersch, particularly in this difficult economic period. He is firmly convinced: "We got off lightly during the crisis thanks to our broad market orientation."
Investing in sheet metal processing - despite the crisis
In February 2009 he signed an order for four new machines. Among them were the TruLaser Tube 7000 and a TruLaser Robot 5020 for tube cutting and laser welding. "As soon as we stop investing we start losing ground. And it would be extremely difficult to recover that territory", says Plersch. That's why postponing replacement investments due to the weak business situation was never an option. He puts his faith in high quality and that requires the most modern machinery.
150 kilometer action radius
However, these technical options can be implemented only if you have the required know-how. That's why he used the period when orders were slow for in-service training for his staff of about one hundred. Plersch prefers to train his own qualified young recruits - provided he can find suitable applicants.
Most of his employees are locals - as are his customers. "We prefer being close to our customers", explains the CEO. That makes it much easier to solve problems quickly, without unnecessary complication. So the company manufactures "in the region for the region," within a radius of 150 kilometers.
Competitive advantage: Laser welding
"The marketplace sees us as a competent partner with the potential to do new and better things," Plersch reports. What he sees as important here, in addition to the tube processing capacities, is scratch-free parts manufacturing. Laser welding has also opened up completely new opportunities, letting the company improve quality and reduce rework effort. Their latest TruLaser Robot 5020, a four kilowatt solid-state laser welding booth, gives Plersch a clear edge over his competitors.
Preparing for the future in sheet metal machining.
With a combination of new machines, versatility and a qualified workforce the CEO is fully prepared to continue supplying his customers with parts incorporating both added value and superb know-how. The way to the future has already been paved. In 2019 the Plersch company will be celebrating its two hundredth anniversary - and Robert Plersch will then be retiring. The next generation is already waiting in the wings.
