|
SAFAN B.V - Shaping New
Markets
 SAFAN
B.V. and FINN-POWER signed a cooperation agreement through which
SAFAN’s line of servo-electric press brakes is marketed under
the FINN-POWER brand in many major markets.
 The
scope of this SAFAN e Brake product line includes servo-electric
press brakes from 27 to 110 ton US (250 kN to 1000 kN); working
lengths 4’ to 10’ bed (1,250 mm - 3,100 mm) that will supplement
FINN-POWER’s current hydraulic press brake line. In special
markets, the agreement also includes marketing cooperation for
guillotine shears and big hydraulic press brakes – 55 to 528 ton
US (900 kN to 4,800 kN), 5’ to 24’ bed (1,600 mm to 7,500 mm).
Menno de Vries,
managing director of SAFAN, views the international customer
base and access to new markets through FINN-POWER network as a
win/win arrangement. “For many years we have seen customers
using SAFAN and FINN-POWER machinery side by side. Our combined
effort will best serve the customer,” says de Vries.
Mikko Lindstrom,
president of Finn-Power International, Inc., explains the
agreement is a further step towards FINN-POWER’s status as a
full-range supplier. “SAFAN’s unique technology complements our
hydraulic press brakes and extends our tonnage and working
length at both ends,” explains Lindstrom. “This agreement
further demonstrates our commitment to leading edge bending
technology.”
 SAFAN
B.V is a Dutch company that has been developing and
manufacturing innovative press brakes and guillotine shears
since the 1960’s.
The company’s
roots are in the shearing business when it was founded in the
1930’s under its original name – Wila. It first entered the
machine business by manufacturing shears. Later, SAFAN began
importing and selling press brakes. The two companies were
divided in 1975, and SAFAN began concentrating on the
servo-electric press brake segment.
During the last
few years, SAFAN decided to put more emphasis on new product
development and launch new products into the marketplace. Today,
approximately 20% of SAFAN’s business is in Holland and 80% is
export business (25% of the export goes to North America).
New Product
Innovation
The company
continues to develop innovative new products. For example, SAFAN
was the first one to introduce the Touch Screen control model.
In addition, last year’s EuroBLECH show was a debut for its new
e Brake – a 3-m, 100-ton electronic press brake with capacities
up to 100 ton and a 3100 mm in working length. The company grew
by 20% during the past year.
During fourth
quarter 2005, SAFAN is planning to launch the larger new e Brake
series. Next year, a new development of press brake series with
automated handling solution will be introduced.
Unique e Brake
The e Brake is a
unique concept. It is built around a new servo-electric drive
that is based on the pulley principle. The cycle times and
maintenance levels are better compared to hydraulic press
brakes. In addition, the cycle times are shorter due to fast
back gauge and short acceleration time. Overall, the e Brake is
designed to be more ergonomic, economical, and more efficient.
The main
characteristic of the e Brake is the low energy consumption and
that can result in up to 50% savings compared to a hydraulic
press brake. While speed is important, SAFAN learned through its
customers that the faster cycle time is more important. With the
fast cycle time, a customer has a faster payoff period to
justify the purchase of the press brake.
SAFAN B.V. values its customer relationships and
is committed to working closely with them. The feedback that
SAFAN receives from its customers is beneficial to the company’s
future product innovations. SAFAN’s equipment plays a major role
in FINN-POWER’s current and future line of press brakes.
|
710
Remington Road 
Volume
15 Issue 1 -
July 2005