12/08/2008

Logistic challenge: Moving a huge press line

GM Europe relies on Schuler Group expertise for relocation of compact crossbar press

GM Europe’s cutting-edge facility in Gliwice, Poland, will be manufacturing Opel Astras in the future and is thus expanding its press capacities. In the course of this expansion program, GM Europe plans to relocate a compact crossbar press from Antwerpen, Belgium, where it is no longer needed, to Poland. The company will be relying on the Schuler Group’s expertise for the relocation process.

The line to be used for the production of Opel Astra panel parts is being dismantled and is due to be launched in Gliwice in May 2009. The relocation of the compact crossbar press is part of the preparations for the production of GM Europe’s next generation of compact vehicles.

GM Europe launched production on the five-stage compact crossbar press, with a total force of 7,000 U.S. tons (6,450 metric tons), at its Antwerpen plant in 2003. GM has since produced more than five million car parts on the line.

Logistic challenge

The relocation of the line represents a logistical challenge. With a total length of almost 200 feet (60 meters) and a weight of more than 4,000 U.S. tons (3,500 metric tons), expert planning is essential. Approximetly 120 trucks will be needed to transport the peripheral equipment and accessories. For the relocation of the major parts of the machine, experts will need to plan special routes for the 15 heavy-load transports and examine the load capacities of streets and bridges, as well as their respective clearance heights.

But logistical know-how is not only required for street transport. The machine will also spend a large part of its journey on inland water vessels. Three months have been planned for the transportation process and some six months for reassembly and production launch. The first parts will roll off the line in May 2009.

About the Schuler Group

As the technological and global market leader in metalforming, Schuler supplies machines, production lines, dies, process know-how and services for the entire metal-working industry. Our most important clients include car manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as companies in the energy, electrical and household equipment industry. Schuler is also the market leader in coin minting technology. Headquartered in Goeppingen, Germany, the company is represented in over 20 nations around the world.

Schuler Incorporated, headquartered in Canton, Michigan, represents the Schuler Group in North America. The company offers sales management and project coordination for state-of-the-art metalforming system solutions. Its after-sales service, spare parts, PM programs, and retrofit and rebuild programs are able to support new and existing metalforming systems. The Schuler Group's global facilities deliver industry-leading metalforming products, systems and services quickly and cost-effectively worldwide.