3,000th TM completes Slovenian success story

Plastika Skaza and Battenfeld Injection Technology recently had cause for a special celebration in Velenje, when the 3,000th injection molding machine of the TM series was officially handed over to the customer. Velenje, with just over 30,000 inhabitants, is located in the centre of the Šalek valley, to the north-east of Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital. Since 1975, Velenje has been the home of Plastika Skaza, which has emerged as one of the country’s largest commission plastics processor. From a modest beginning, the company has seen continuous growth since 1985 and now manufactures parts for well-known companies, such as Gorenja, Ikea and Grammer, with 41 injection molding lines - 35 of these from Battenfeld.

"Our business is quick and reliable delivery of top-quality parts. Our customers know that they can always rely on us, and we know that we can rely on Battenfeld 24 hours a day, seven days a week“, says Igor Skaza, son of the company’s founders, Martina and Franc Skaza. Igor Skaza has been the manager responsible for produc-tion and sales at Plastika Skaza for the last six years. "The injection molding ma-chine manufacturer certainly makes a substantial contribution to the molder’s suc-cess. We are therefore very happy to celebrate the installation of the 3,000th TM here, together with Battenfeld, our machine supplier. We can look back on many years of excellent, close cooperation with Battenfeld."

A country with 4% annual growth

In Slovenia, one of the ten countries soon to become members of the EU, and for-merly the northernmost republic of Yugoslavia, 2 million inhabitants live within an area of 20,000 km². This means, Slovenia is one of the smallest future EU member states. However, this country’s per capita gross national product is already on a par with that of Portugal or Greece, with an annual growth rate of about 4%. Martina and Franc Skaza established the injection molding company Plastika Skaza in Velenje in 1975, starting with one second-hand machine. In 1985, they already had seven em-ployees, and by 1995 the company’s staff had been increased to 65.

Battenfeld machines yield high productivity

Today, the family-owned company Plastika Skaza is one of Slovenia’s largest com-mission plastics processor and manufactures on its 3,000 m² production floor techni-cal components for the automotive, furniture and household appliance industries. Currently 85 employees process approximately 2,200 tons of material annually, mainly ABS, PS, PP, PA and PBT. The company has 41 injection molding machines with clamping forces ranging from 500 to 8000 kN. Great emphasis has been placed on high productivity from the very beginning. All lines are fully automated and oper-ate round the clock in four shifts, seven days a week.

Gorenje is a major customer located in the company’s immediate neighbourhood. With 7,000 employees, Gorenje is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of large household appliances. Other customers are Ikea and Grammer. For example, sev-eral million toilet roll holders for Ikea, and the covers for back-rest of the Opel Sig-num, are manufactured in Velenje.

Battenfeld’s strong points are technology and service

,,There are several good reasons why 35 of our injection molding lines are from Battenfeld," Franc Skaza, MD of Plastika Skaza emphasizes while taking over the new TM 4500/2800. "We are enthusiastic about Battenfeld’s technology as well as its comprehensive service."

"We are glad to celebrate this jubilee together with Martin Hermann, regional Sales Manager of Battenfeld Injection Molding Technology for South-Eastern Europe, Mr. Fodroczi, Battenfeld’s local agent, and Mr. Delčnjak. Someone from Battenfeld has always stood by us whenever there was a need to make difficult decisions - above all Martin Hermann, who has always taken care of our problems, if necessary, even on Sundays," says Martina Skaza.

Successful TM Series

In Velenje, the new TM 4500/2800 will be used to increase the capacity for produc-ing parts for Grammer. The 3000th TM is part of Batte