The new powder-coating facility is one of the most modern in its field in Europe and is one of Doka's biggest investments in production for decades. The company is thus making a clear commitment to environmentally friendly industrial production using the latest digital technologies and is moving even closer to its customers' wishes: in future, all frame sizes in the Framax product family can be powder-coated quickly and flexibly in a wide range of colors.
At the beginning of June, the Austrian company for innovative formwork solutions, Doka, put the new powder coating plant into operation in St. Martin near its headquarters in Amstetten. The highly automated plant is part of a multi-stage expansion of production in St. Martin with a total investment volume of 40 million euros.
Flexible, digital, automatic
Frames in the color of your choice: the new powder coating system meets all customer requirements, including color."We were guided by maximum flexibility when designing the system," says Christian Mayr, Vice President Doka Production. This means that Doka is now in a position to meet customer requirements and wishes even better and faster. What exactly is behind this high degree of flexibility and what does it mean for customers?
One major innovation is that the large elements of the Doka Framax product family can now also be powder-coated. Furthermore, it is now possible to produce small batches quickly and economically as well as large quantities. The new powder-coating system also adds a splash of color. The frame elements can be colored according to individual customer requirements, for example in the color of the company logo.
Thanks to the high degree of automation and digitalization in production, the products can also be manufactured in Austria at marketable prices. The plant is currently being ramped up in one-shift operation. There are also plans to make the capacities available for contract manufacturing. Initial talks with potential partners are already underway.
Durability and robustness
Large frame formwork is increasingly in demand: the new plant will soon be able to powder-coat all frame sizes.rain, sun, snow - on the construction site, formwork systems are exposed to a wide variety of weather conditions and enormous loads. To meet these requirements and to ensure a long service life, durability and easy cleaning, the metal frames of Doka formwork systems are hot-dip galvanized and additionally subjected to a special processing method: powder coating. This involves applying a special powder evenly to the frames of the formwork elements. Excess powder is collected by smart components and recycled.
Made in Austria
Doka is deeply rooted in its origins and is sending a clear signal for formwork quality made in Austria with its investment at the Amstetten site. Doka is thus giving its customers the security of receiving high-quality products produced using state-of-the-art manufacturing techniques.
Doka is also demonstrating a clear commitment to the location. The company is consciously modernizing in the region because this is where the know-how is located, i.e. experienced, highly trained and qualified employees. Through smart retraining and further training measures, the company ensures that its own experienced employees are taken along on the journey to the new plant. Increasing digitalization and automation are changing the requirements for jobs and job profiles. The need for more highly qualified employees is growing. Activities are becoming more diverse.
This is how sustainable the new plant is
Automatic, digital and flexible: the new powder coating system selects the appropriate powder application method, such as the robot hand, depending on the requirementsThe new powder coating system also breaks new ground in terms of environmentally friendly production: it uses 80 percent less water than the previous system and relies on environmentally friendly chemicals; it also saves energy when operating the ovens thanks to the use of sophisticated technology. "Doka has always attached great importance to sustainability," says Peter Pöchacker, Director Doka Production. "Today, however, the topic is even more relevant because customers are actively asking about it."
Doka is thus underlining its own high standards in terms of environmental protection and its role as a model company.
