Stasskol in Staßfurt: Compressors are in full cry due to high technology from Staßfurt
Managing director Thomas Borchardt sees such tailor-made solutions as “the icing on the cake”. The intention is not mass production but rather the ability to always respond individually to customer requests through single-piece production and small batch production. One of the two patents was granted for a new design of sealing rings. In the future, such a ring will achieve the same tightness with this solution as two parallel employed rings. The system is 40 percent smaller than that used up to now. The second patent guarantees more reliability. Thanks to the tinkerer from Staßfurt, it is now possible to control the temperature in piston rods during the ongoing operation. For instance, maintenance intervals can be optimised.
But this is by no means the end of the story at Stasskol. Borchardt reports of three new projects which are each aiming for a patent. A more intelligent ring shall permanently secure tightness in the event of compressor standstill. This will benefit the environment and wallet, he says. Then new ground can be broken with regard to the development of a plastic housing for sealing elements, and an additional business segment can be opened up. Various fields of application involve replacing the previously utilised parts made of steel or grey cast iron.
Fundamental research counts at Stasskol. A developmental centre was first put into operation in the company in May of this year. Varying materials can even be put together there, processed into sealing rings and then be tested in the test bench that was already built in 2003. Improved characteristics for new products are the goal. “In the process, we not only cooperate with our customers, but also with universities such as Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg or Dresden University of Technology”, explains Borchardt.
Among other things, piston rod sealing gaskets are employed in compressors in the chemical industry such as with DOW Chemical, in underground natural gas caverns or in the manufacture of PET beverage bottles. Depending on the field of application, service lives of 8,000 to 10,000 hours are not a rarity with them.
The turnover of a majority of the production was secured in one stroke with the acquisition of the Staßfurt-based special mechanical engineering firm by the Neuman & Esser group from Übach-Palenberg in 2002. The firm appears particularly well-placed in the construction of compressors. The former “Plant Section III” of the “People-owned Combine Vakoma Magdeburg” has been privatised in 1991. As with other East German firms, a stable capital cover was lacking for the step forward, however, there was no lack of experiences. People have been dealing with sealing technology at the site since as early as 1920. In the GDR there was an emphasis on the production with fitting out ship’s diesel engines which rendered an output of up to 50,000 HP.
“In former times our products were more or less underway on all oceans. Today they provide their service on the mainland and end up in China, India, Brazil and the USA”, says the managing director with apparent satisfaction. The firm belongs to a small, fine group of not more than half a dozen producers of the most modern piston rod sealing gaskets worldwide.
This year Stasskol anticipates a turnover of 5.1 million euros. This corresponds to the previous year’s result. The number of employees has increased from 26 to 52 since 2002. Seven apprentices are receiving training. A total of six million euros have been invested in the firm in the past eight years. In 2011 Stasskol will be building a new administrative building in order to expand capacities in all corporate segments.
Contact:
Stasskol
Maybachstraße 2
39418 Staßfurt
03925 288-0