Extrusion International USA 3-2020

Extrusion International 2/2020 each detail matters for unrivalled performance Extrusion lines – engineered to perform. Only a company who has a constant focus on the productivity of its customers thinks ahead and creates extrusion solutions that leave the rest standing. SML specialises in the development of extrusion lines for film, sheet, coating and lamination as well as multifilament spinning lines. www.sml.at NewMachines installed with WhatsApp Messaging Platform Faced with new business challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic, GN Thermoforming Equipment has come up with a novel way to install new equipment and train operators at its customers’ sites. The company has made extensive utilization of the WhatsApp Messenger web platform to install new thermo- formingmachines for customers in Eastern Europe and the U.S. GN faced a critical challenge at the beginning of the pan- demic when Georg Polymer, the largest Russian producer of rigid meat trays, needed its new GN760 machine installed quickly so it could meet the burgeoning demand for meat trays in Eastern Europe. “We had to think out-of-the-box and come up with a solution because our customer desper- ately needed the new capacity,” said Paul Phillips, GN sales and marketing manager. With the prospect of having to postpone the installation due to travel restrictions, one of GN’s qualified technicians re- motely guided its Russian customer through the installation of the new GN760, an in-mold cut thermoforming machine. The installation in April, which normally would take three to four days onsite, took about a week to complete using the WhatsApp platform. The installation was successful thanks to the customer’s broad mechanical experience with this type of machine and a high-speed internet connection. Perhaps the biggest chal- lenge along the way was the language barrier. Georg Poly- mer faced some minor problems with wiring, but a video call to the technician resolved the issue. The machine is up and running, producing 240,000 meat trays a day. The company also has two other GN760s and three GN1914DM machines within its portfolio and produced more than 350 million meat trays last year. Previously, GN had used its broad remote capabilities to per- formvarious support tasks including troubleshooting. Phillips noted that face-to-face machine installations are preferable so the company can personally provide its know-how and su- perior level of customer service and support. Remote instal- lation through a messaging platform required a high level of preparation including enhanced labeling of componentry and extensive diagrams and collateral support. Since April, two more machine installations have been suc- cessfully conducted using the WhatsApp platform - one in the Central U.S. and another for Pro-Form kft in Hungary. Both customers installed GN800s, adding to their existing GN machine lineup. If travel restrictions continue, Phillips said GN would continue to install remotely through the WhatsApp platform so its customers wouldn’t face produc- tion delays. GN Thermoforming Equipment www.gncanada.com