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Markets
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BEYOND SURFACES
Spring
16
Oerlikon Balzers has been a successful player in this
market segment since 1998, and renowned vehicle
manufacturers and their suppliers all over the world rely
on Oerlikon Balzers’ surface solutions. The site in Veľká
Ida, close to the major Slovakian city of Košice, bundles
the company’s service offering for the German and Eu-
ropean automotive industry in a central location. Crucial
for the selection of Veľká Ida as location were the well-
developed industrial zone, a high skilled labour potential,
advantageous transport connections and local educa-
tion opportunities, enabling the recruitment of sufficient
engineers.
State-of-the-art production location
Production started there in September 2015. With a to-
tal of 100 jobs planned, Veľká Ida is positioned to be
Oerlikon Balzer’s largest and most up-to-date produc-
tion location. The site uses highly innovative coating
systems, fully automated test systems, batch loaders for
components, and state-of-the-art stripping technology
for the maintenance of fixtures and system components.
It also has an IT-supported, high-bay warehouse for un-
processed parts and finished products.
The new plant optimally equips the company to
deal with the future challenges of automotive coatings.
Whether the engine or power train, oil pumps or brakes,
headlights, body or interior – virtually no part of a modern
motor vehicle is produced or operates without a coating
solution from Oerlikon Balzers. Without coating, some
engine components would last just about one day – with
In September, Oerlikon Balzers opened its first
European Competence Centre for coatings for
the automotive industry, with a grand opening
ceremony and in the presence of Prime Minister,
Dr Robert Fico. The new Slovakian plant is a part
of Oerlikon Balzer’s comprehensive overall strat-
egy for the constantly growing automotive market.
Automotive market offensive
Opening of the first European
Competence Centre
Oerlikon Balzers coating solutions, however, they last for
the lifetime of the car!
The decisive challenges for automotive coatings in-
clude friction, wear, and the absolute precision demand-
ed by manufacturers. Less friction means greater perfor-
mance and reduced emissions; less wear means greater
loads and longer component service lives with improved
safety and reliability; and fulfilling strict tolerance require-
ments means greater efficiency.
Further expansion
As well as Veľká Ida, whose further expansion is planned
for the following year, Oerlikon Balzers is working on two
further automotive competence centres in the USA and
China.
CEO Dr Roland Herb
and the Slovakian Prime
Minister Robert Fico
at the ceremonial
opening event.