The World of Short Tubes
Interview with Torsten Rönsch, Managing Director of lafortec GmbH
Connectors in furniture, exhaust systems, filter systems, ventilation devices - the range of applications for short tubes is large. The requirements are correspondingly diverse. lafortec GmbH from Grünhain-Beierfeld is an important strategic partner for many companies in the DACH region when it comes to short tubes. The company excels with an unparalleled assortment and a holistic service approach around product processing.
Wirtschaftsforum: Mr. Rönsch, you are an expert in the production of short tubes. What is your core business?
Torsten Rönsch: We produce short tubes for our customers in all variants – from very special prototypes to standardized bulk series. In total, we have about 12,000 different items in our portfolio, available at any time. We cover the entire production process, including punching, drilling, forming, laser welding, or plating. At first glance, a large part of the products look the same, but in fact, they are all different. We cover sheet thicknesses from 0.5 to 5 mm and diameters from 5 to 1,000 mm, with a maximum tube length of 1,250 mm. Our particular strength is that we start from batch size one up to a series of 5,000 pieces. This makes us flexible. If requested, we also take over subsequent forming operations after sheet metal processing. We offer different types of forming, such as calibrating, flanging, pressing, or flaring.
Wirtschaftsforum: Do you also manufacture entire assemblies?
Torsten Rönsch: Certainly. We produce assemblies for a wide range of industrial applications. The basis is always our short tubes, which are then installed in systems or instruments, for example. Since we pursue a holistic approach, we also offer surface treatment and coating with various techniques.
Wirtschaftsforum: What industries do your customers come from?
Torsten Rönsch: Our customers include all renowned filter manufacturers. In addition, we are also involved in metrology, water technology, and the automotive industry. We work for smaller and medium-sized companies as well as for conglomerates.
Wirtschaftsforum: Do you focus exclusively on Germany?
Torsten Rönsch: Germany is our main market, but we are also active in other German-speaking countries in Europe. In principle, we are open to new things and would like to further internationalize our business in the coming years. We export to the Czech Republic, Brazil, and the USA. We are continuously expanding, step by step. In November of this year, we will exhibit at FILTECH in Cologne, one of the leading trade fairs in the filtration industry. This will give another boost to our international business.
Wirtschaftsforum: What distinguishes lafortec from other providers in the market?
Torsten Rönsch: Our portfolio is very large, so we have an answer to almost all requirements. Thanks to our high production depth, we are flexible in processing the tubes. We have been around for almost 30 years. We have evolved over the decades and continuously invested in new technologies. Among other things, we built a new hall in 2017 and also last year, and this year we will expand our capacities and acquire new machines. We are reliable and adhere to delivery schedules. This has enabled us to build stable customer relationships over time. Our customers trust us.
Wirtschaftsforum: What trends are you currently noticing in the market?
Torsten Rönsch: Our products are disposable and consumable items. It's about things that people need every day. Ultimately, the end customer determines what our customers order from us.
Wirtschaftsforum: On the subject of disposable products: Are there developments for more sustainability in the process chain?
Torsten Rönsch: Indeed, the issue still plays a rather subordinate role among our customers. Green steel is still very expensive. It costs almost twice as much as steel produced conventionally. We are talking about consumable parts here. There is limited willingness to pay this high price.
Wirtschaftsforum: You are a manufacturing company. What are you doing to reduce your ecological footprint?
Torsten Rönsch: We have a combined heat and power plant in operation as well as a photovoltaic system, and we generate our own electricity and heat. This year we will manage to reduce our CO2 emissions by almost 50%. We drive electric cars and have already had an energy audit carried out. I myself am a member of the Climate and Environmental Alliance Saxony.
Wirtschaftsforum: What else have you planned for this year?
Torsten Rönsch: Our new hall construction is a big topic. In addition, we will push forward the idea of sustainability, including buying a nitrogen plant, so we can produce the nitrogen we need ourselves. We will consistently optimize and increase our value creation, also through automation, to retain our employees and remain competitive.