CLOOS robot systems guarantee high quality welds

PELHRIMOV – Agrostroj has become the largest producer of agricultural machinery in the Czech Republic today. A production area measuring in total 110,000 m2 houses state-of-the-art manufacturing technology such as CNC machining centres, laser cutting systems, folding presses and painting lines and handling and welding robots. When it comes to the latter, the pioneering Czech company relies entirely on CLOOS welding technology "Made in Germany": 70 robots and 600 welding power supplies from Haiger are in use so far and the number is increasing.

The development of Agrostroj is unparalleled: founded in 1886 by metalworker Jan Matejka as a repair shop and manufacturer of basic agricultural machinery such as shredders and forage harvesters, the small company survived the two world wars and the subsequent Communist takeover. In the communism era the company grew and exported products such as muck spreaders and rotor mowers particularly to Poland, Hungary and the DDR. When privatisation hit the eastern bloc in 1989 the company embarked on a difficult journey: "After the fall of communism it was clear that the old Agrostroj with its obsolete production facilities would not be able to compete in the worldwide market. There was no functioning sales department, it wasn't needed in the economic landscape of the time " recalls today's owner and managing director Lubomir Stoklasek.

Between skeleton production and assembly, welding technology is the decisive factor for the required precision. The CLOOS welding robots ensure the consistently precise welds on the components.

That all changed in 1997 when a bank consortium asked the enterprising entrepreneur whether he wanted to take over Agrostroj. He jumped at the chance and in a few years had turned the former Eastern Bloc supplier into a competitive global player which in its own words "supplies the five largest manufacturers in the agricultural machinery-, HGV-, construction machinery- and logistics industries" with high-quality assemblies and finished parts. Stoklasek: "With this portfolio we are no longer dependent on the seasonal trade in agricultural machinery." The customer list now includes over 30 well-known global companies.