From High Pressure to Peak Performance
Interview with Alexis Hadzipapantoniou, Managing Director of KMT GmbH
In an era where technological innovations and sustainability go hand in hand, KMT GmbH stands out as a leading player in the field of high-pressure waterjet technology. The company is revolutionizing the industry with advanced technologies and a clear focus on environmental friendliness. Managing Director Alexis Hadzipapantoniou provides insights into the company's strategic decisions with the goal of being a reliable partner for customers worldwide.
The roots of KMT Waterjet are in the USA (Baxter Springs/KS), where the company was founded over 50 years ago. One of the pioneers of waterjet technology, Joe McCartney, laid the groundwork for today's successes. "Our pumps reach pressures of up to 6,200 bar, which is unique in the industry. No other competitor can offer this reliability and performance," emphasizes Alexis Hadzipapantoniou, who has been in a leadership position in the company since 2017 and has been the managing director since April 2023. This technology enables KMT to stand out from the competition and maintain a leading position in the market. Since then, the company has continuously developed and expanded internationally. Especially in Europe, KMT Waterjet has increased its presence through strategic partnerships and the integration of market companions into the SHAPE – corporate group. The KMT GmbH in Germany has been active for about 35 years and serves customers throughout the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) with a team of around 80 employees.
Strategic Decisions and Portfolio
A significant milestone in the company history was the integration into the SHAPE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP in 2013. This membership allows KMT Waterjet to leverage synergies and focus on core competencies. The product range extends from high-pressure pumps to complete waterjet cutting systems. KMT pursues a dual sales strategy: 'We sell both through OEMs that supply complete systems, as well as directly to end customers who develop their own manufacturing solutions,' explains Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. A flagship product is the STREAMLINE SL-VI, a pump in the 4,000-bar range, which is particularly impressive due to its reliability. 'Our customers appreciate that the STREAMLINE SL-VI, with regular maintenance, operates day and night without failures,' says Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. This pump is the heart of many industrial applications and has proven itself in various industries. For higher pressures up to 6,200 bars, KMT offers the STREAMLINE PRO-3, a unique product that sets new standards in terms of productivity and efficiency. 'The STREAMLINE PRO-3 allows our customers to reduce their production costs and increase the efficiency of their processes,' adds the managing director.
Ecological and Digital Footprint
Sustainability is a central issue for KMT Waterjet. The company is working to make its products more energy efficient. An example is the STREAMLINE CLASSIC V-DRIVE, which qualifies for subsidy programs. "Especially in the DACH region, we see a high demand for energy-efficient solutions," explains Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. This demand is reflected in new products that reduce energy consumption and increase performance. KMT is also further developing the STREAMLINE SL-VI to equip it with energy-efficient drives. "These innovations help us reduce the ecological footprint and lower operating costs for our customers," emphasizes Alexis Hadzipapantoniou.
Digitalization also plays an important role. KMT Waterjet offers solutions that enable customers to monitor their systems via an app. "Our customers can check the status of their machines at any time using their smartphones and react quickly if necessary," explains Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. KMT WATERJET also offers suitable solutions for networking any number of high-pressure pumps. Such a union ensures a smooth production process for industrial companies operating multiple cutting systems simultaneously. "Each system is reliably and resource-efficiently supplied with cutting water at any time within the network of systems," he adds.
Industry Diversity and Technological Advancements
The challenges of the industry lie in the further development of existing technologies and the exploration of new application areas. "In addition to classic cutting applications, we are exploring new markets such as high-pressure pasteurization in the food industry," says Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. This technology extends the shelf life of food, thus completely replacing the use of controversial preservatives and thereby opening up new business fields for KMT. Sustainable disposal and recycling of cutting waste are additional areas in which KMT is developing solutions. "We are working on methods for recycling and environmentally friendly disposal of the materials generated during cutting," explains Alexis Hadzipapantoniou.
Another focus is on developing new applications for the waterjet in various industries. "Our customers use waterjet technology for processing food, plastic, and metal, but there is still much potential in other areas," says Alexis Hadzipapantoniou. An example is medical device technology, where precise cuts are required for implants and surgical instruments, as well as the aerospace industry, which relies on high-quality material processing for the construction of satellites and spacecraft. The company impressively demonstrates how technological excellence and sustainable practices can secure competitiveness. The combination of technology, environmentally conscious solutions, and digital connectivity makes KMT Waterjet a pioneer and reliable partner for customers worldwide.