FACE TO FACE
A strong foundation
“ In the last 15 years , Boschert has developed from a manufacturer of notching and punching machines to a full-range supplier . Together with our partner Gizelis , we have been answering enquiries for press brakes and shears for a long time . In the few years , the product range has also been expanded to include flatbed fibre lasers and Punch CombiLasers . We also developed a Multipunch 4020 punching machine last year which can process sheets sizes of up to 4 x 2m ,” Manuel Lang , Boschert ’ s general manager , told ISMR . The company has agents in countries all over the world . Germany is its largest market , followed by Switzerland and the United States . Boschert ’ s owner , Peter Kunz , puts its success down to the expertise of its staff who aim to make nearly 100 % of its products in-house . Many of them have spent most of their working lives with the company .
“ We are a traditional , family-owned company that is not necessarily looking for continuous growth , but for stability . We build good machines and our customers are happy ; this is our main aim . It may not be a standard approach but it works for us . We have low staff turnover levels and a more longterm view of the business , which is better for our company and our employees . I have been at Boschert for 41 years myself ,” explained Manuel Lang .
Boschert GmbH & Co . KG , based in Lörrach ( near Basel ), employs 115 members of staff and has a production and assembly area of some 8,000 square metres . There are a further 700 square metres of office space , as well as a presentation and demonstration centre . It offers in-house training to all staff . Every year , two to three apprentices complete their industrial training with the company .
Boschert supports its employees during their further education and training , for example by guaranteeing to keep their jobs open for them . More than half of its workforce obtained their qualifications with the company and therefore possess specific product expertise in each manufacturing technology .
Outlook for 2022
“ 2018 was our best year ever and this year has started well , with a very strong order situation . We may even reach 2018 levels this year . COVID-19 hit our sales last year ( as well as the material , dellivery and labour shortages that everyone suffered ). However , we made a 26-million-euro turnover in 2021 . We have certainly become a more global company since
The ROBOBEND 2 incorporates Automatic Tool Change ( ATC ).
The Gizelis ROBOBEND 2 automated bending cell was presented at Blechexpo 2021 .
we partnered with Gizelis , who also bring 50 staff to the organisation ,” Manuel Lang told ISMR .
“ At the moment , the order situation is very good ( despite COVID-19 ) and we are not expecting a slowdown at the moment . However , there are always risks ( above all , unforeseeable global political developments ) which can be difficult to assess and classify . In the face of COVID-19 , we had to adjust to new circumstances in 2020 and bridged the decline in orders with the short-time work financial packages offered by the German government for five months . As with most companies , we worked from home where applicable and took the appropriate production measures to reduce the risk of infection ,” he added .
Boschert has made a name for itself as a provider of customised solutions , thanks to the high levels of technical expertise of its employees . Almost 50 % of the orders that it receives are adapted to customer requirements . This , said Manuel Lang , offers added value to customers and he intends to continue offering customised solutions .
“ We listen to our customers ’ requirements and provide the solutions that they need . We can be very flexible in our approach and make any changes that they request . This also feeds into our innovation and R & D initiatives . We have set ourselves a target to provide more automation solutions for our customers . We are currently looking for partners for elements of our automation planning ( for example , material storage ). Standard machine loading , however , is an element that we wish to provide ourselves ,” he explained .
Boschert is also working with partners on the development of Industry 4.0 software for wider machine networking connectivity .
“ Our machines already provide customers with Industry 4.0 capability , for example , to check machine / production status . However , we cannot yet offer wider connectivity to other branded machines on the wider factory floor so our target is to develop this capability , supported by external partners . This is an ongoing activity ,” added Manuel Lang .
Automated bending cell
At the Blechexpo exhibition in Stuttgart ( October 2021 ), Boschert and Gizelis launched two of their latest innovations ; a fully automated robotic bending cell , incorporating a flexible and productive ATC ( Automatic Tool Change ) system , and a versatile stacking system for shears . Also on display was the Compact EVO , a new punching solution , and the new Boschert Fiber Laser generation ( 4kW ).
The Gizelis ROBOBEND 2 fully automated robotic bending cell incorporates Automatic Tool Change ( ATC ) with bending and palletising procedures as a turnkey solution .
“ The system offers ultimate flexibility thanks to its smart design , as it can be operated in three different modes . Individual safety systems are activated in each working mode in full compliance with EU directives . There is large capacity for tooling ( punches and dies ) which can be safely organised in a robust , smart tooling warehouse , able to store more than 20m of punches and dies ( including tooling in very small segments for bending small / complex details ),” explained Gizelis .
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