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Constantin Meyer |
New plant goes on line
[03.03.2007 - Pforzheimer Zeitung]
The Polyrack Tech-Group has moved into its new premises in Straubenhardt-Conweiler. All three enterprises are thus joined together under one roof.
Full speed ahead – the Polyrack Tech-Group in Conweiler continues to go strong. The company’s new building in the industrial estate “Hube” shows the impressive growth and the two-digit expansion rates.
The high standard which Polyrack demands of all its products can also be seen in the new building: perfect design - an effective interior surrounded by an aesthetic exterior.
The Polyrack Tech Group combines three enterprises. High-quality cases, subracks, modules and backplanes are the responsibility of “Polyrack Systemtechnik” (systems technology).
“Rapp Kunststofftechnik” (plastics technology) specializes in the development and the production of technical plastic parts and assemblies.
“Rapp Oberflächenbearbeitung” (surface refinement) provides a perfect finish for the products and combines lasting protection with an attractive appearance.
The finished products are complete industrial PCs and machine control systems as well as instruments for the measuring and control technology or for medical analysis, to name some examples.
Full-line provider. “In the last 20 years Polyrack has changed from a mere production plant to a full-line provider”, Horst Rapp, founder and executive director explains.
Horst Rapp had studied engineering and business administration and worked as executive assistant for a large company in the jewellery trade before he became self-employed in 1979. “ I saw more opportunities in electronics” – how right he was could not be more obvious.
What once started in Conweiler with only one person is now a company with 250 members of staff and various positions still to be filled. After Polyrack set-up its own distribution companies in Europe, the North American headquarters were opened in Providence, Rhode Island, last year.
Nevertheless, Polyrack was and is a family-run company. “The individual takes the center stage„ says Rapp.
„Our employees are the core to success. It all depends on their abilities and mentalities.” Polyrack is also very ambitious in terms of traineeships. 15 trainees are going to support the team permanently. A wide range of business activity.
Polyrack is the main sponsor of the gymnastics club Straubenhardt. Rapp used to be a gymnast himself and values sportive virtues in his employees. “I like people with sportsmanship, as they are motivated and can work in a team.”
“Meanwhile, our portfolio ranges from engineering and designing to the finished product. Our new company building makes the enormous level of vertical integration comprehensible to all,” emphasis Horst Rapp. This project centralises production and logistic. Up to the present date, those were divided between four locations. “We are optimizing our logistic and reducing our costs. The different parts of the company are moving closer together and this can also be experienced by our customers.” explains Rapp, for whom customer orientation is not just a phrase, but an important part of the company’s philosophy. “Our customers benefit from the fact that they don’t need different partners for construction, production, assembly and surface coating.”
Through linking different core competencies from the tool and mould construction as well as from plastics, printing and system technology we have a sound answer to every question.”
Polyrack designed the new company building together with the architecture office Willy Burk in Calw. “The architects of Burk did an excellent job,” complimented Rapp. “Also the Hochschule Pforzheim was a great support. Two study paths examined logistic and workflow and made suggestions. Those suggestions were an important basis for the planning of the building.”
The building has 66 000 cubic meters of gross volume - 8700 square meters of floor space were created. The dynamic high rack storage area which organises itself virtually sticks out among the many remarkable technical features of the building.
Support from the community. “The city council of Straubenhardt and Mayor Willi Rutschmann were a big help right from the beginning. They cleared the way for the new building, “emphasis Horst Rapp. “This is especially displayed by the heights of the building: The previous regulations planned on a height of 15 meters. The new high rack storage area was allowed to be 22 meters high and is now the center of production.”
Polyrack wants to increase its production also in the future. On the company’s new premises is still enough space for one or two new buildings.
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