20.11.2011
Schrage expands its international service
New agency in Austria
Schrage conveys solutions, worldwide. In order to provide our customers with prompt and competent service, Schrage has been relying on a network of international representatives with their expert knowledge and personal service for a long time.
As of November 2011, our customers and anyone interested in our products can also directly contact us here in Austria: Walter Finger ensures that projects can be realized even faster and provides support with any questions involving tube chain conveyors and bulk materials handling. Whether the planning of a new conveyor system or changes made to the layout of our individual solutions for demanding bulk materials – Mr. Finger delivers fast service throughout all of Austria.
For the contact data of our new Schrage agency in Austria, please click here.
09.08.2010
Materials handling system live and in colour:
Schrage presents new exhibition conveyor at
trade fairs
In order to demonstrate the principle of tube chain conveyors, Schrage Conveying Systems has been using mobile conveyor systems at their exhibitions booths for years. Just recently, the company presented a new model of their "exhibition conveyor": it features acrylic for a clear view of the inside of a chain conveyor. What is special about this model is that it is fully functional. It is in this way that visitors can learn about all the functionality and advantages of the conveyor system while watching the transportation of the bulk material.
For bulk materials with problematic properties, the general managers Ralf and Frank Schrage offer their customers test runs in the in-house pilot plant in Friedeburg, Germany. This is also part of the service of the family owned business with more than 20 years of experience in customised plant engineering.
19.06.2009
Schrage inaugurates a new production hall:
3,600 sqm. of competence
Finished after a good half year of construction: On Thursday, June 19, 2009, Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH Conveying Systems inaugurated their new production hall at the company’s headquarters in Friedeburg, Germany.
After the new administrative building and new technical center in recent years, this production facility is the third “milestone” for the family enterprise with an investment volume of approx. 3.5 million euro. With the on-site production, Schrage wants to be able to provide even more customized solutions regarding tube chain conveyors and to react faster to market demands. For more than 20 years now, the company has been, very successfully, delivering conveyor systems for bulk material. “We convey solutions” is the philosophy of the company, which today is present in many industries worldwide.
Since early May 2009, the bulk solids handling systems are now being built, finished, and assembled directly in Friedeburg – quality made in Germany down to the smallest detail. This is the best way to meet the ever-increasing demands by the industry.
Whether cullet in the beverages industry, sensitive raw materials for the food industry, cohesive, or even explosive bulk materials: Schrage delivers solutions for any industry. Customers benefit from the many years of experience and now also from the short distances and faster production times: Whatever Schrage’s engineers develop individually will be built, tested, and made ready to ship worldwide right next door.
The new hall is 75m in length and 48m in width, and offers 3,600 sqm. for materials handling all from one source. “As a well established family enterprise, we have invested in the future,” explains Ralf Schrage, who runs the company together with his brother Frank. “There is a worldwide increase in demand for ecologically and economically sound materials handling systems for the in-house transportation of bulk material in a closed system. Consistent customer orientation, the development of problem solutions, and a top reputation among experts and customers alike are the basis for the success of this company, which is based in Friedeburg, Germany. For years now, customers have placed considerable trust in the company, which in turn is a major competitive advantage, and that is now increased by the new production facility.”
07.06.2010
Photovoltaics system put into operation
Schrage Conveys Solutions - And Solar Energy
For over a month now, Schrage Conveying Systems has been delivering not only solutions, but also energy. For this, the company equipped the entire roof area of the production hall and the pilot plant at their headquarters in Friedeburg, Germany with monocrystalline solar modules. In May 2010, this in-house photovoltaics system, with an effective output of 250 kWp, was connected to the grid.
"We always try to find sustainable solutions for our customers, but also for our own company," say General Managers Ralf and Frank Schrage. Once more, the specialist for handling systems and tube chain conveyors showed very clearly that, in the years to come, there will always be sufficient energy for good solutions.
20.07.2009
Interview: Schrage sets another milestone
With the construction of their own production hall, the brothers Ralf and Frank Schrage made their dream come true. Moreover, after the construction of the new pilot plant and administrative building, another milestone was also set.
Question: The production hall is built and production has already commenced – what does this mean for you personally?
Frank Schrage: Even when we were kids, my brother and I were little engineers and we have always loved to build stuff. This is why this new production hall right here on our premises is a dream come true for us.
Question: ...and in these times when other employers worldwide are cutting jobs...
Ralf Schrage: That is correct. But every crisis also offers new opportunities. One thing is for sure: The current low interest rates are definitely working in our favor, considering the investment volume of approximately 3.5 million euro. However, we also have to remain competitive and that is why we are investing right now. In addition, other industries have not yet been hit as hard by the current financial crisis as experienced by the automotive industry. Especially those industries that are more important for us, such as the food and beverage industries, are not doing too poorly right now. Therefore, we have to keep at it and offer new solutions for transporting bulk materials. There are also many niche areas out there that we want to conquer. Additionally, with our new on-site production, we are finally in a position to do just that. From India to Germany – we can now respond to individual customer requirements much better than before.
Question: Your father, Remmer Schrage, retired but probably still keeps an eye on his two sons, right? What does he say about the new production hall?
Frank Schrage: He is thrilled and has total trust in us.
Question: Schrage stands for 100 percent “Made in Germany.” There are places in Europe where you could have produced your tube chain conveyors for much cheaper. Why did you pick Friedeburg as the location for the new production facility?
Frank Schrage: For one, this is where we live with our families and we love it. However, the infrastructure is also perfect for us: We have water, freeways, and an airport all in the vicinity.
Ralf Schrage: Of course, we also checked out other locations. However, the well-established infrastructure as well as the dense and well functioning network of suppliers speaks volumes for Friedeburg. In the Far East, it would have been impossible to set up something this quickly. Therefore, in the end, we were absolutely sure: There is no better location than this. The further east you move your production, the cheaper it gets, but we would not have been able to provide our customers with the same reliability. Take power outages, for example. They are virtually unheard of here these days, but they are a major issue in the Far East.
Question: Are there any more Schrage dreams?
Ralf Schrage: For now, we are right where we always wanted to be. We have set three milestones: the new pilot plant, the new administrative building, and now the production hall.
Thanks to our on-site production, we are now able to offer our customers even more individualized solutions, and all from one source. However, we do have another two acres of land available in case we choose to expand even further one day. I am certain that this is not the end of the rope yet.
05.06.2009
Two become one: Schrage combines jet blasting cabinet
with materials handling system
While looking for the best process for perfectly blasted surfaces, Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH arrived at an interesting solution: In jet blasting cabinets, tube chain conveyors allow for the multiple use of granulated material. The main principle is as simple as it is ingenious: The granules that are used for blasting fall down through a grid and from there they are transported back up for reuse by a tube chain conveyor. This process is applicable wherever a similar material is to be reused. It is in this way that economics and ecology go hand in hand.
The new production hall features two jet blasting cabinets made by OTI in Hoerstel, Germany: One for mild steel and one for stainless steel parts. Mild steel parts are blasted with chilled iron granules for the improved adherence of the subsequently applied varnishes and to make the surface more durable. Stainless steel parts, on the other hand, are blasted with ceramic beads – they replace glass beads, which in the past could not always meet all the quality demands. Especially in materials handling applications in the chemical or food industries, homogenous surfaces are crucial.
Another advantage: The entire pneumatic solution for the varnishing and jet blasting cabinets (supplied by Elutec in Wilhelmshaven, Germany) are extremely energy efficient and uses high-quality filtering systems for compressed-air conditioning.
11.05.2009
Premiere at the Achema 2009
Schrage presents new demonstration unit
What could be more suitable to convince visitors to the Schrage exhibition stand than a live demonstration of a tube chain conveyor? While “hand-on” exhibits have always been an integral part of the Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH trade fair exhibition booths, the company features a new, powerful demonstration system at the Achema 2009.
Visitors to the “29th International Exhibition-Congress on Chemical Engineering, Environmental Protection and Biotechnology”, in short Achema, taking place from May 11 to 15 in Frankfurt/Main, Germany, will get an impression of the entire range of possible applications.From A as in active carbon to Z as in zinc slag, from free flowing materials such as ash to tenacious, cohesive materials, such as sewage sludge: Schrage handling systems are also suitable for special, even explosive, materials.
Practical tests are always an integral part of Schrage's philosophy: Every handling system is put to the test in the in-house technical center: from residual discharge, mixing, and demixing or agglutination of the bulk material to energy consumption. For operational long-term testing, the company even provides their own product-specific pilot plants and thereby gains important know-how for further planning.
Information on upcoming and current exhibition dates.
Information on upcoming and current exhibition dates.
05.03.2009
Up we go! Powerful Rotolift completes
the new Schrage hall
Turning, tilting, raising, and lowering: No problem for the new Rotolift, which can now be put into operation in the new production hall at Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH. The technical highlight of MTS (Bräunlingen, Germany) is an extremely flexible positioner and, therefore, perfectly suited for the various tasks carried out at the Friedeburg plant.
Thanks to state-of-the-art Rotolift technology, it is now possible to work on pieces by means of mounting without the need for further lifting devices and to drastically improve accessibility to the workpieces. This not only lowers the downtimes by up to 60%, but the ergonomically optimized working conditions also increase the efficiency of the staff and lowers the risk of accidents. Where in the past, drive stations were assembled on tables, which could lead to scratches on surfaces, this potential source of damage has now been eliminated.
In the same part of the hall, the “Assembly”, all of the chains for the tube chain conveyors are also assembled. Other machines are also being used here: An electrohydraulic scissors lift as well as the Abus overhead and slewing cranes
will now help the assemblers perform their work.
17.02.2009
Spray oil instead of liquid coolants:
Schrage orders innovative metal bandsaw machine
A metal bandsaw system without liquid coolant constitutes the optimum synergy of ecology and economy for Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH. When, in the summer of 2009, the new production hall will be inaugurated, not only the latest technology will matter but also aspects such as sustainability.
The bandsaw system by MEBA (Westerheim, Germany), for example, fulfills the high demands of the conveyor system specialists. The exact positioning of the tubes and the automation of the sawing process again leads to cost and time savings. However, MEBA bandsaws offer another advantage: Instead of liquid coolant, it uses a micro metering unit and high-performance spray oil.
Whereas the use of liquid coolants always required an enormous cleaning effort and large amounts of water, the entire cleaning process can now be eliminated. Moreover, while the use of water also constituted a potential source for mold and mildew, this problem is no longer an issue with the use of spray oil from the micro metering unit. Therefore, in the future, everything will not only go smooth, it will go even smoother.
27.01.2009
„Hot“ outlook for the new year: Schrage commits
to state-of-the-art impulse welding machines
At winter temperatures, the general managers of Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH today signed a contract for a “hot” cooperation with SUT in Bremen, Germany. With the building of the new production hall at the Friedeburg headquarters, the focus for the future is once again on quality and the possibility to provide customized solutions to materials handling problems.
This can be achieved thanks to the sophisticated designs of the tube chain conveyor systems, exceptional craftsmanship, and the use of state-of-the-art technology. The impulse welding machines by SUT absolutely convinced the Schrage managers and will be used in the new production hall.
On welding benches, tubes of all shapes can be precisely welded to flanges and, thanks to special devices, inlets and outlets can be welded accurately at a right angle. The results are optically and qualitatively high-end welds for stainless steel and steel. A mobile welding smoke exhaust system protects the staff members and clearly shows yet again that Schrage focuses on a “good climate”.
07.01.2009
Dreams of the future or logistic of the future?
Schrage production hall with a sophisticated concept
Whoever wants to produce must also have a way to store: Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH is developing an innovative concept for their production hall, which is currently being built. After all, the production of tube chain conveyors requires a large number of high-quality parts made of different materials – from acid-proof plastic wafers to extremely resistant chain elements.
The storage solution customized for Schrage tube chain conveyors is a joint design by Schrage, Carl Wilh. Meyer (Oldenburg, Germany), and META-Regalbau (Arnsberg, Germany). Planned are, e.g., more than 300 pallet storage spaces for the storage of individual parts as well as a three meter high shelf unit for small parts on an area of more than 100 sqm. This guarantees that all the necessary parts can be stored adequately and with quick access for use in well-established Schrage quality.
16.12.2008
Reason to celebrate:
Topping-out ceremony for new Schrage production hall
Ground was broken in November, and now it is time for the topping-out ceremony – the construction of the new production hall of Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH is going according to plan. Where just a month ago there was nothing but a green field, the dimensions of the new hall are now easily visible: 3,500 sqm. large and with a modern design, the building perfectly complements the existing ensemble at the company headquarters.
The topping-out ceremony included speeches from the general management but also a “traditional” ceremony with all the involved trades. Among the guests were Ms. Karin Emmelmann, Mayor of Friedeburg, and other local politicians and business people.
23.11.2008
Laying of the foundation stone for
the new production hall:
Schrage invests at its company headquarters
in Friedeburg, Germany
After the new buildings for the administrative and technical centers, Schrage Rohrkettensystem GmbH now celebrated the groundbreaking of the, for now, last part of the construction – the approx. 3,500 sqm. production hall.
What started as a small business more than 20 years ago has developed into a global player and true specialist for bulk material handling systems by means of tube and cubic chain conveyors.
What remained unchanged for this family enterprise is the location: In February, the new technical center was built at the current location, followed by the administration, and then this year’s decision to also move the entire production to Friedeburg.
The production hall is approx. 3,500 sqm. and requires an investment of approx. 3.5 million euro. For the general mangers, Ralf and Frank Schrage, the new hall means a chance to continuously and quickly improve the quality of their products and to adapt them to market and customer demands, by having surface treatment, production, assembly, and logistics all under one roof. “Short distances for the highest standards,” is the motto of this new construction, which will pay off not only economically, but also ecologically.
