Export success with adjustable calibrating sleeve

Plast Panorama Scandinavia no. 10 - 2008 "Quality Management"

Export success
A single adjustable calibrating sleeve is sufficient, even for those who produce extruded plastic pipes in three to five different pressure classes. RIVAL in Skanderborg has successfully exported its calibrating sleeves to Australia, and the Danish company has now turned its attention to America, a potentially huge market.

The US market is difficult to enter since potential customers require good references before they are willing to try a new product. Not only has our calibrating sleeve been used by many of the leading pipe manufacturers in Europe, the Middle East and Australia, the feedback from our customers has also been extremely positive,” says Henrik Holvad, Managing Director at RIVAL, who explains that some 1,000 adjustable calibrating sleeves have been sold and installed in production lines around the world.

Several advantages
Our robust, tried-and-tested technology has been retained even in the larger calibrating sleeves measuring up to 1,600 mm. The adjustable calibrating sleeves are operated manually or using an electric motor. The chosen diameter is clearly shown on a display, with an accuracy of 0.01 mm. Other advantages include less waste, independence from raw material suppliers and greater efficiency.

Satisfied Australians
PPI, the third largest Australian pipe manufacturer, has successfully used our adjustable calibrating sleeves since 2002 and expects to equip all four of its plants with the entire range. Torben Larsen, Toolroom/Moulding Manager at PPI, is amazed that the company is able to order spare parts from RIVAL on a Friday and receive them the following Monday:
“We wouldn’t even be able to get the parts that quickly from Australia," he says. The plant in Brisbane has 25 adjustable calibrating sleeves that cover the entire range from 23 mm to 800 mm. The plan is to replace all fixed calibrating sleeves with adjustable RIVAL calibrating sleeves in future, and the company has just placed an order for a complete set of 12 additional adjustable calibrating sleeves.

”They are easy to phase in and that means less downtime. Staff morale improves when employees can concentrate on their work rather than having to change calibrator,” says Torben Larsen.

Less waste and greater independence
“The mere fact that we generate less scrap means that the payback time for RIVAL calibrating sleeves is shorter,” explains Nicholas Feros, General Manager of Manufacturing at PPI. The company was one of the first Australian pipe manufacturers to discover RIVAL’s adjustable calibrating sleeves.

“We used to have huge problems with waste and downtime. We looked into the possible alternatives, and decided that RIVAL's adjustable calibrating sleeves represented the best solution in terms of the most important parameters. First and foremost, we are no longer dependent on particular raw material suppliers because we no longer need to worry about how the materials will react. That means greater delivery reliability and better prices.”

“We produce less waste, and we no longer have to halt production for entire days or parts thereof to change calibrating sleeves,” continues Nicholas Feros. He is happy with his company’s working relationship with RIVAL, and appreciates the fact that RIVAL doesn't just sell a standard product but is able to adjust its calibrating sleeves to the needs of its customers.

“Their calibrating sleeves are also compatible with our existing equipment, which means we don’t have any additional expenses on that front," explains Nicholas Feros, adding:

”We also hear from our customers that our pipes are better once they have been through a RIVAL adjustable calibrating sleeve. They are rounder and therefore easier to assemble, and that saves time in the long run and improves our relationship with customers,” concludes Nicholas Feros.

Plast Panorama