HIGH PROFILE
Jürgen Maier , CEO KOCH Solutions
which are the key capabilities and designs acquired that are relevant to mining and IPCC ? Can you also detail which physical facilities you took on and any major ongoing direct orders you are now dealing with ? A With the acquisition , we have acquired the entire IP of a range of mining and material handling equipment starting with bucketwheel excavators , beltwagons and spreaders through to ports and stockyard equipment including wagon loading and unloading devices . But we have also supplemented our portfolio and references at KOCH Solutions to the maximum extent , and we acquired as well a significant number of key people formerly with FLSmidth , thyssenkrupp Fördertechnik and Sandvik Mining Systems , who have bolstered our own personnel at various international locations including in Europe and Australia . A key element in this acquisition are sites in Essen , Lübeck , Rohrbach and in Australia as well as workshops on minesites themselves . This strategic move has significantly expanded our capabilities and expertise in the entire mining and materials handling field . By integrating these assets , we have enhanced our position in the market , combining the strengths and extensive experience of multiple industry leaders under the KOCH Solutions banner . The Essen site , in particular , brings a focused and specialised approach to our mining sector operations , further cementing our commitment to excellence and innovation in this field .
Q Has this significantly grown this part of your business in one go - how do you intend to merge the FLS assets with your own existing assets and experience and what will the main synergies be ? A Prior to the sale in 2019 , KOCH acted as the global technology centre for material handling within the FLSmidth Group . The overlaps in terms of expertise and business activities are therefore considerable . The former FLSmidth Materials Handling branch , formerly known as thyssenkrupp
Fördertechnik , is located only 30 km from our site , which facilitates the integration of our teams . Our employees are working already together at our new HQ in Rohrbach to strengthen our competences . This strategic consolidation will not only preserve the expertise of all the former companies , but also increase our operational efficiency .
The most important synergies result from our now shared 300-year history and the experience gained from over 10,000 projects completed worldwide . This rich heritage and extensive track record positions us uniquely in the market and allows us to utilise a large reservoir of knowledge and experience . In addition , with the addition of mining experts in Essen and the expertise from Sandvik Mining & Rock Solutions , we have gained a significant share and can now offer the entire value chain .
Q What has the market response been like from customers both existing and new to the takeover of these assets ? A The market ’ s reaction to our acquisition of FLSmidth ’' s materials handling assets has been extremely positive , and this enthusiasm is further amplified by the fact that materials handling is our core business . Being deeply rooted in the industry , we bring a level of expertise and dedication that is highly valued by our customers . This acquisition is not just a business expansion for us ; it reflects our passion for the industry and our commitment to excellence in everything we do . Customers appreciate the fact that the internal value creation is via our own fabrication and erection yard being optimised and significantly improves the quality control and delivery time accuracy compared to others who are depending on sub suppliers .
Q Is your offering restricted to conveyor and stockyard systems or do you also offer crusher / sizer options to mining customers ? If so are these your own products or do you work or intend to work with partners eg Metso / FLS / FLS- Fuller / Zenith / CITIC etc ? A KOCH Solutions offers also fixed , semi- or fullymobile crushing systems and selects its partners from case to case , depending on the customers ' demands . We are open to work with all suppliers and types of crushing equipment but have always a sustainable solution in mind .
Q IPCC is very important as an option for miners to reduce emissions through more use of electrically powered conveyors - is this the main thing driving interest in these solutions today ? A Certainly , alongside the significant reduction in environmental impact , the considerable cost savings also play a crucial role in the appeal of our IBEX solution . It ' s important to understand the stark contrast in maintenance requirements
Claus Butter , Technical Director of Mining at KOCH Solutions
and personnel needs between a single , efficient system and entire fleets of trucks . With the IBEX , the extensive infrastructure required for maintaining such fleets becomes redundant . This not only translates into direct financial savings in terms of reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs , but it also means a reduction in the overall operational complexity . The reduced need for a large workforce for fleet management and maintenance further streamlines operations and lowers overhead costs . Our focus on creating efficient , single-system solutions reflects our commitment to providing environmentally sustainable and economically advantageous solutions to our clients in the mining industry . This dual benefit of environmental responsibility and cost-effectiveness is a key aspect of our value proposition to the market . As we don ’ t have our own crusher , we are flexible in cooperation with other crusher manufacturers to provide the best solution for our customers .
Q In the same way the materials handling aspect is very important today in relation to moving and stacking filtered tailings - is this part of your offering and a market you are growing into ? A While we prefer not to divulge too much at this stage , we can share that we are currently in the process of assembling a team of experts dedicated to exploring out-of-the-box solutions , particularly as this area is poised to become increasingly significant in the future . Consistent with KOCH Solutions ' commitment to excellence , we aim to introduce a system that is not only innovative but also meets our high standards of quality and reliability . We understand the growing importance of this sector and are focused on developing solutions that are both cutting-edge and dependable . Our goal is to ensure that any new offering aligns with our reputation for delivering high-quality , reliable systems to our clients . IM
12 International Mining | JANUARY 2024