(Munich, October 18, 2017) The KraussMaffei Group is once again on course for growth in 2017. Digital transformation, new technologies and services, and powerful momentum from China form the foundation for double-digit revenue growth. Technical advancements are paving the way to a successful future.
The KraussMaffei Group continues to grow. Orders and sales for 2017 (YTD, as of the end of August) have exceeded the record set in 2016 by up to 10 percent. Global megatrends such as digital transformation, urbanization and the more efficient use of resources deliver momentum for growth as these call for technical innovations in fields in which the global market leader for plastics processing machinery is traditionally strong. A further visible indicator for the company's strong growth besides the financial figures is the development of the company's employee base. The KraussMaffei Group's employee base recently exceeded 5,000 employees for the first time. The company's workforce has therefore grown by roughly 14 percent globally since it was taken over by the China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina).
As a specialist for injection molding, extrusion and reaction process machinery, the KraussMaffei Group delivers solutions across its segments for current challenges such as Industry 4.0. The company is unveiling MaXecution, a manufacturing execution system (MES) specially tailored to the needs of smaller injection molding enterprises. Data analysis tools and self-optimizing manufacturing systems (DataXplorer, APC plus) enhance the efficiency and availability of machines and production processes. In addition, a wide range of state-of-the-art lightweight construction processes, such as the new system for pultrusion processes (iPul), are available. Its presentation recently drew guests from the U.S., Asia and many European countries to Munich.
A leasing model for injection molding machines is having its premiere on the German market, addressing the desire for more flexibility within the machinery pool. This model is offered for standard machines up to 3,000 kN. Thus, customers will be able to rent production capacities for a defined period of time. At the end of the term the customer can either give back the machine or buy it.
A success story is the all-electric injection molding machine PX. Since its launch one year ago, the PX has been met with significantly high interest particularly in Germany, the U.S. and China. Therefore production capacity for 2018 needs to be doubled.
The Chinese market is increasingly becoming the driver of growth for the KraussMaffei Group. CEO Dr. Frank Stieler confirms this trend: "China and other Asian markets will increasingly become more important for us in the future. Through our new owner ChemChina, we now have even better access to the market than ever before. That's something we intend to build on." On account of high demand, the plant in Haiyan has already doubled its production volume and expects to see an additional increase in 2018.