TPi January 2018

Valves , f i t t ings , f langes & connectors

Conex Bänninger celebrates 25 years of production in Poland

century of product innovation and rapid expansion that has contributed to the ongoing success of Conex Bänninger and IBP. The current facilities comprise a modern foundry in the Poznan district and a 12,000m 2 warehouse and logistics hub at nearby Sady, from where Conex Bänninger fittings and valves are distributed throughout Europe and as far afield as Australia and the USA. Together, the two sites employ around 400 people in production and a further 150 in logistics and sales. Instalfittings was established in 1987 by founder Irekneusz Grupa, known to his colleagues as Irek. At the time of

acquisition by IBP Group the company had a workforce of just 50, making red brass and compression fittings. Richard Darwin, group commercial director at IBP Group, commented, “Irek was an inspirational leader and when IBP Group acquired the company he initially stayed on as CEO. Later as sales and marketing director he continued to play a central part in the business’s success, ensuring that the growing range of products was taken into new, international markets.” Those early years saw investment in a new 2,000m 2 warehouse; brass fittings production was extended and a new sales team was introduced. At the time, Conex and Bänninger were separate brands, but building on the strong core developed in Poland, in 1994 IBP Group merged the two to form Conex Bänninger. Subsequent transitions in production saw copper products brought to the market. The expansion to Sady, about 17 km from Poznan, took place in 2005.

Conex Bänninger, a manufacturer and supplier of fittings, valves and accessories, is celebrating 25 years of production in Poland. Today, a manufacturing site and distribution centre near the city of Poznan supports a total of around 550 jobs, acting as a base for sales in markets across Europe and around the world. It was spotting the opportunity for growth, firstly in Poland then internationally, that persuaded parent IBP Group to invest in what was a small factory and warehouse in Ovodrzytka in the west of the country, in 1992. The acquisition of Instalfittings Sp was the springboard for a quarter of a

Conex Bänninger’s Sady logistics centre

Conex Bänninger – Poland www.conexbanninger.com

Welded industrial valves Shut-off valves, check valves and combined shut-off check valves under the Exentromat brand name have over 50 years of tradition at Alfred Konrad Maschinenfabrik GmbH.

Nominal sizes range from DN 100 to DN 2000. Different flange connections are available, as are wafer check valves or welded valves. The overall length is manufactured as standard in accordance with EN 558-1, series 14, but special lengths are also available to meet customer requirements. Metallic seals can also be provided for different pressure and/or temperature requirements, in addition to different elastomer materials. Slider crank gear mechanisms, which are produced in-house and have an intermediate gear for higher torque requirements, are typically used as drives. Third-party gear mechanisms can also be assembled at the customer’s request.

The success of the valves was the consequence of the series production of metallic seals and the resulting double eccentric locking geometry. Konrad Armaturentechnik GmbH has continued its business at the same location under its managing partner, Dipl -Ing (FH) Lutz Löbardt, since April 2010. The company’s valves are manu- factured exclusively as welded struc- tures, which allows for a wide variety of possible materials in comparison to conventional cast iron valves.

Manual hand-wheels are available, as are pneumatic, electric or hydraulic drives from all well-known manufac- turers. A small, specialist team with many years of experience manufactures, assembles and delivers valve com- ponents to customers as a complete unit for easy installation. Konrad Armaturentechnik GmbH – Germany

info@konrad-armaturen.de www.konrad-armaturen.de

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TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL January 2018

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