HF splits functions between mixing and machinery

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Freudenberg, Germany -- Harburg Freudenberger is in the process of restructuring its rubber machinery operations. The company will divide its operations in to two divisions. HF Mixing Group will include the mixing and dump extruder operations of Harburg-Freudenberger, Pomini and Farrel.

HF Tyre Technology will focus on the tyre curing and building machines and other areas of interest.

Dr. Joachim Brenk, chairman of the management board of Possehl group --owners of Harburg Freudenberger -- announced the news earlier today to an open house meeting held by the new HF Mixing Group in the town of Freudenberg, Germany.

Brenk said the restructuring came as a result of a natural split between the two activities. He said the contacts who buy mixing machines tend to be different from those who buy curing presses and tyre building machines. Also, these businesses follow different investment cycles.

HF mixing group will comprise the former brands of Harburg-Freudenberger, Pomini and Farrel. However, these brands will no longer compete against each other, but will be brought together under the HF Mixing Group brand.

Furthermore, the group has created a new range of intermeshing mixers under the Intermix brand; a range of tangential mixers under the Banbury brand and a range of dump extruders under the Convex brand.

In the three months since serious work started on the restructuring, the three companies have redesigned significant parts of the range of internal mixers and dump extruders in response to customer requests.

These new machines completely replace the older models produced under the three competing brands.

However, said Dr Andreas Limper, head of HF Mixing Group, the company will continue to support the older models and if customers want to buy one of the older models, they will be able to do that, but as a special order, rather than a standard machine.

Within the new range of equipment, the brand label on the machine will be HF Mixing Group, though customers will continue to do business with individuals from one of the three older brands. The company indicated that this may not be the long-term permanent solution. HF did not give any indication of the future of manufacturing operations or design effort. It said service and spares activities would reflect the new structure.

Farrel has become the centre of excellence for tangential mixers. Pomini becomes the centre of excellence for dump extruders, twin screw dump extruders and VIC mixers, while the Freudenberg site becomes the centre of excellence for intermeshing and tandem mixers.

Improvements to the mixing machines include better dump door latches, improved dust seals, elimination of the thrust bearings and better control systems.

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