BEUMER is known for providing innovative intralogistics solutions
Q. Dr. Echelmeyer, you have been Director of Conveying & Loading Systems at BEUMER Group in Beckum for a few months now. What are your responsibilities and what would you like to achieve?
BEUMER is known for providing innovative intralogistics solutions. Some are still surprised to learn how fast the BEUMER Group has grown in recent years. Today Beumer now also offers complex system solutions in the raw materials industry, a sector in which business was traditionally limited to sales of single machines. Our goal is to become internationally known as a reliable partner in the area of plant engineering as well. We have fewer inquiries from Germany, and increasingly more from Australia, the Far East, Africa, South America and the US. Our mission is to build an international team for Conveying & Loading Systems that works together on specific projects. In order to ensure a high standard internationally, we must get qualified colleagues from all our local companies on board in all regions.
Q. What has changed now for BEUMER Group with the introduction of the CL Systems segment?
We are rooted in material handling, which is specifically about the efficient movement of bulk materials. Each industry we serve has very specific requirements however. The cement industry, for example, relies increasingly on alternative fuels and raw materials to reduce the use of expensive primary fuels, such as coal and oil. This can also be achieved with household waste that is processed for a particular application. Due to the differing composition of this material, its handling is often very complex. We consult with our customers based on our extensive knowledge of system solutions and provide entire systems, starting from receiving the material at the factory gate, to storing, mixing, conveying and introducing it into the cement production process via the main burner or calcinator.
Q. How do you define expertise in system solutions for your work?
In order to customise a solution, we have to listen very carefully and ask the right questions. These are often questions the customer has not even thought about. Some customers can also have very specific ideas about the solution. Together we analyse the task, and in this dialogue the user learns that we can supply the perfect system solution that can sometimes differ considerably from the original ideas. Our main goal is to understand the user.
Q. From which industries do you get requests?
This can vary a lot, because our system solutions are used wherever you need to transport large quantities of bulk material. This is particularly the case for the ore and raw materials industry, but we also deal with applications outside of these core areas, such as food transport. In ports, for example, we ensure that different materials are efficiently loaded onto ships.
Q. What experiences do you bring into your new position?
I am familiar with the system manufacturing side, as well as the user side. I was working in the cement industry for eight years. As production manager, I had to oversee complex systems that manufacture more than 13,000 tons of steel per day. This is how I am familiar with the demands on system manufacturing coming from the users.
Q. How would you assess the current development for plant design in mining?
The prices for raw materials like iron ore or copper have been extremely low for the last two or three years now. This is why the market situation is very difficult at the moment. We feel the effects of companies cutting investments and stopping projects. We expect this low level of investment to continue for another two, three years, until the market stabilises. What else has changed? There is a general trend towards larger tonnages and throughputs because larger production facilities are more efficient. Many users don’t want to set up several parallel systems, but want to cover their entire requirements with one line or as few as possible. This trend influences considerably the development of our systems.
Q. Today, the trend is towards a comprehensive product portfolio in order to offer complete solutions for the entire production process to the customer. Do all components come from BEUMER?
We want to offer comprehensive services to our customers, so that we can also avoid unnecessary interfaces. This is why we deliver everything from one single source. For many of the components that are not part of our portfolio, we always ask ourselves whether to purchase or manufacture them in-house. For gear units and electric motors, as well as systems to quantify material flows, we use selected partners. We also attend trade shows to get a clear picture of the current market developments. It’s the only way to make sure to provide the perfect solution to our customer in terms of profitability. It is not uncommon for plant manufacturers to purchase many of the components. This way we focus on our core competence and always provide the perfect solutions. Our goal is to always supply turn-key systems that allow the customer to work efficiently.
Q. Are you planning on becoming an EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) company for bulk material – or even an EPCM (Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management) supplier for large-scale plants, also in order to avoid interfaces?
Not necessarily. As plant manufacturers, we want to focus more on the required system solutions and less on industrial construction, excavation and concrete construction. In addition, climate conditions and legislation can vary greatly from China to Tierra del Fuego, Australia or Alaska. This is why for every project we decide if we will be the single provider or if we will work together with a reliable partner in the region. Local partners are familiar with their environment and the pricing, and are usually well connected. We always want to be well aware of the interfaces. We usually decide on a case by case basis whether or not to use a local partner. We keep a very close eye on the EPC topic, however.
For more information
Web: www.beumergroup.com
