December 26, 2009 A True Customer

Volume 12 | Issue 4

After more than 100 years in business, Coperion Corporation is still spry and agile in adapting to the changing markets. As Armando Diana le

Becoming part of the customer’s business in both products and process is the driving force that has kept Coperion Corporation in business for more than 100 years. A designer of machinery and plants for the plastics, chemical, food and aluminum industries, Coperion makes the machines that make the final product.

The computer industry may have Intel inside but those industries in need of extrusion technology have Coperion at the behest. Extrusion technology in its most basic form is compounding raw materials and making transportable pellets. The pellets can then be put in another machine to heat and melt the pellets down, then feed the newly created liquid into molds which are then cooled down. Once cooled, the mold would open and, voila, a product casing is born. After some inspection and trimming, the product would move down the assembly line for packaging or finishing.

Coperion works with its customers as a reliable partner to design and manufacture the machines required to make molds for any type of product by implementing individual turnkey solutions. This can only be accomplished if the customer confides in Coperion’s constant support, says Rich Taylor, vice president of customer service.

Taylor believes this support is bar none in the industry because Coperion not only has engineers on staff but chemists, food technicians and other experts. This attention to detail and dedication to customer support has been with Coperion since 1878 when it was formed as Coperion Werner & Pfleiderer and produced its first kneader in 1879. In fact, Coperion Corporation is the unification of four traditional companies: Coperion Werner & Pfleiderer, Coperion Waeschle, Coperion Keya and Coperion Hartmann.

From a kneader to today’s high tech gee whiz products, Coperion has adapted to the changing marketscape and, in some cases, helped customers develop technology to create products and become the worldwide market and technology leader of compounding systems, bulk materials handling systems, components and services.

Throughout the years, customers have turned to Coperion’s brand of unique competence with its system and process knowhow, says Taylor about the company’s longevity. He maintains Coperion has the strongest customer service department that maintains on-going training and maintenance support for products that have endured for more than 40 years.

“When you think of it, we design and make machines that create products typically on a production line,” says Taylor. “A lot of these machines were installed in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s and we not only still stock parts for them but continue our training programs.”

MORE THAN PRODUCTS
Coperion designs and builds custom-made twin screw extruders and complete compounding systems precisely to customer requirements and applies the ultimate in process technology competence, including assembly and commissioning. The company’s twin screw extruders are economical solutions for the plastics, chemicals and food industries.

However, Coperion also builds bulk materials plants. That is, whole factories to help its customers manufacture the products conceived on the drawing board. Bulk materials handling is an engineering field that is centered on the design of equipment used for the transportation of materials in loose bulk form. Bulk material handling systems are typically composed of moveable items of machinery such as conveyor belts, stackers, reclaimers, bucket elevators, shiploaders, unloaders and various shuttles, hoppers and diverters combined with storage facilities such as stockyards, storage silos or stockpiles.

The purpose of a bulk material handling facility is generally to transport material from one of several locations to an ultimate destination. Providing storage and inventory control and possibly material blending is usually part of a bulk material handling system.

Coperion’s components are used everywhere where bulk materials in powder or granular form are prepared and transported. Only high-quality and long-lasting components are used, in order to transport goods in a protective manner, using pneumatic and hydraulic conveyor systems and the fastest outputs.

Within the Coperion Group, Coperion has bulk materials plant specialists who have served the market for more than 30 years with sector-leading engineering and process competence. As a reliable partner to the plastics and basic chemicals industries, Coperion supports its customers from planning, through a wide range of services, to realization and commissioning of bulk materials and logistics plants.

System solutions from Coperion set global standards in operating safety and profitability. The relevant key components are developed and manufactured in-house. With its international project management competence and comprehensive expertise, one main target of Coperion above all others is the lasting success for its customers.

Coperion’s specialists possess the disciplines needed for projects to succeed and are completely familiar with national and international standards and regulations. Further, Coperion’s global presence facilitates the involvement of local service providers and global suppliers at all times. Construction and installation contractors at the plant sites are guided by internationally experienced site managers.

Coperion is involved in the plant design as a consultant and planner, a supplier of individual systems or as a general contractor for complete plants. The company handles the initial concept study, including all the technical and formal clarifications with the local authorities, through the entire processing chain to the turnkey and function-tested plant.

Coperion has a world-wide presence, with a modern laboratory and test-bench facilities at locations in Ramsey, N.J., Stuttgart and Weingarten, Germany. Throughout the entire production process, Coperion offers the machines, builds the plants, designs the components and delivers the necessary services for reliable and economical applications.

AND SERVICES TOO
In addition, Coperion offers service agreements tailored individually to each customer’s specific requirements through its competent and experienced specialists. From the basic inspection to full-service cover, Coperion ensures maximum operational availability of machines and plants. The risk of a production breakdown and associated problems drops to a minimum. The customer gains a maximum of security. Through service agreements, Coperion customers worldwide profit from greater efficiency and optimum product quality. In addition, its customers are continuously informed of innovations and current developments. In fact, Taylor says most machines are seventh generation and the company maintains a complete library of information and updates so it can always be ready to support the customer. As part of the service offerings, regular basic and advanced training programs are held at the Coperion training centers in the three main facilities in Stuttgart, Weingarten, and Ramsey or at the customer’s site. The company offers true full service support and not only for the machines, but for the customer’s personnel.

Coperion boasts approximately 235 service staff around the world and offers the most comprehensive range of service products and services in the sector. Through the Service Competence Center the Coperion Group, production plants are economically and reliably supported at all times and in all locations.

Its Consultancy Services support customers in identifying optimization potential, and in devising concepts for modernization and eliminating deficiencies. Continuously conducted maintenance tasks and preventative inspections assist customers in avoiding stoppages. Further, Coperion has the biggest spare parts store in the sector and a unique on-line ordering service.

Coperion manufactures machinery in various markets. It has become a reliable partner for its customers. It designs plants for the plastics, chemical, food and aluminum industries, and even implements individual and turnkey solutions for its customers.

At this rate, Taylor says, the company will no doubt be around 100 years from now.

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