Amada Automation Europe achieved more efficient logistics and received additional resources
Löfs helps us optimize our material flows, which really saves resources.
Ronny Myrskog
Supply Chain Manager
Amada Automation Europe
Amada Automation Europe needed a surface treatment company and chose Löfs. The partnership yielded more benefits than expected, including a reduced workload and additional resources. Flexibility and proactivity are two key elements of a successful partnership.
Amada Automation Europe is a company located in the municipality of Pedersöre that develops and manufactures machines for automated material handling, primarily for the sheet metal industry. The process also includes surface treatment of various manufactured components. Amada Automation Europe had been working with several surface treatment companies when they decided to choose just one main partner: Löfs.
It is absolutely crucial that the supply chain runs smoothly. Delays lead to overtime, weekend work, and, above all, staff fatigue. But when cooperation with a subcontractor runs smoothly, it saves both time and resources.
Professional expertise and industry innovations
Why did Amada Automation Europe decide not to perform the surface treatment itself?
– Surface treatment requires professional expertise, and it is not part of our core competencies. “We didn’t choose Löfs’s service to avoid doing it ourselves; rather, we’re looking at the issue from a broader perspective,” says Ronny Myrskog, Amada Automation Europe’s supply chain manager.
From a broader perspective, it’s a matter of contacts, expertise, and capabilities. Amada Automation Europe can rely on Löfs to have the necessary professional expertise and to stay up to date on the latest developments in the surface treatment industry. Thanks to Löfs’s top-notch expertise, any potential problems can be quickly identified and resolved.
– A while back, we had some issues with the surface of a painted product. Löfs had the right network of contacts to help us resolve the problem. They arranged for the product to be sent to a lab, where it was analyzed and a solution was found,” says Andreas Löfqvist, Amada Automation Europe’s production manager.
One of the key reasons why Amada Automation Europe chose Löfs was its practical capabilities. Löfs has the facilities and tools required to achieve the desired quality, and in addition to its own production facility in Luoto, it also has staff working on the painting line at Amada Automation Europe’s premises. Löfs has clearly demonstrated a desire to grow and collaborate.
– When it comes to things like order processing and shipping, they’ve developed and modified their own system to better suit our needs. They’ve also taken care of several steps in the process to make our work easier, says Ronny.
Smoother Logistics and Proactivity
Amada Automation Europe has decided to focus on streamlining its material flows. To reduce the workload involved in receiving goods, the company is now striving to obtain parts that are as ready-to-install as possible.
Amada Automation Europe works with several subcontractors who laser-cut, bend, and weld components that Löfs then further processes. Löfs has also taken care of the threading, marking, and packaging of the products, as this proved to be the most cost-effective approach.
– When products arrive at Amada Automation Europe, they are all labeled according to the same system to facilitate receiving. The products can be sold as spare parts or used in installations. In this way, Löfs helps optimize material flows. “It really saves resources,” explains Ronny.
This collaboration has also saved resources in other ways. The parties often offer each other suggestions for improvements that make production more efficient.
“For example, if something makes surface treatment difficult, Löfs can discuss it with our designers. Through close communication and a proactive approach, we can make the work easier and faster,” says Andreas.
“This is a win-win situation,” Ronny adds.
Löfs’ View on Cooperation
Tommy Löfs serves as the CEO of Löfs Ab Oy, a surface treatment company based in Luoto. He is pleased that Amada Automation Europe is satisfied with their collaboration and emphasizes that Löfs has consciously adopted an approach focused on cooperation and development.
– When starting a collaboration, it’s important to define clear procedures so that all parties know what to expect. For example, we need to know what the quality standards are and what the flow of goods looks like. This also makes it easier to sit down and go over things together, as well as to ensure that the jointly defined goals have been achieved.
Preparation is important, but despite all the technical details, Löfs’s basic idea should not be underestimated when looking for the elements of successful collaboration.
“One of Löfs’ core values is to always take care of our customers’ needs and wishes. And we’re convinced that collaboration and flexibility lead to high-quality results,” explains Tommy.
