The Growing Demand for Automation
For many years, Evoltec has been offering state-of-the-art production automation solutions to companies in a wide range of industries. One of its clients is Backer OBR—a company specializing in the production of heating elements, which has expanded its machine park based on Evoltec’s expertise and comprehensive range of services. Over the past 12 months, the company’s Stargard branch—which manufactures cable harnesses and control panels for heat pumps— four new Komax machines from the Alpha series have been installed—today, the plant already operates 10 specialized machines, more than half of which are Komax machines distributed in Poland by Evoltec.
The heat pump market in Poland has seen rapid growth in recent years, which has sparked enthusiasm throughout the industry. The increased demand for this alternative heating source prompted Backer OBR to expand its machinery fleet, a move facilitated by a strategic partnership with Evoltec.
From the first machine to full automation
About 3 years ago, Backer OBR faced the challenge of increasing production of ready-to-install wiring harnesses. The company chose the Swiss manufacturer Komax, whose exclusive distributor in Poland is Evoltec—the first machine purchased was the Alpha 530, an automatic cutting, stripping, and crimping machine. This was just the beginning of the intensive expansion of Backer OBR’s Stargard branch.
The partnership gained momentum in mid-2022, culminating in 2023, when Backer OBR decided to purchase four additional Komax machines—three Alpha 530s and one Alpha 560 —delivered in stages throughout the year. The company also signed a service contract covering all the machines and purchased two Mecalbi STCS-CS14 units for processing heat-shrink tubing.
After carefully analyzing its production needs and weighing the options between the Zeta and Alpha series, Backer OBR decided on the Alpha, following the recommendation of Evoltec experts, who—during a visit to the Warsaw showroom—also proposed an additional workstation for scrap management, complete with customized software.
Key Elements of Implementation
- Automated cutting, stripping, and crimping: The Komax Alpha 530 (cross-sections 0.13–6 mm²) and Alpha 560 (2.5–16 mm²) provide comprehensive protection for production.
- Integration with Komax Connect: real-time monitoring of machine operation and production data.
- A service contract covering all machines: regular inspections and additional service visits to ensure uninterrupted production.
- Comprehensive line equipment: two Mecalbi STCS-CS14 heat-shrink tube processing machines and a dedicated scrap management station with customized software.
Measurable business benefits
- The number of machines in the machine park has doubled over the past year—there are now 5 new Komax machines.
- Increased production capacity to meet the rapid growth in demand in the heat pump market.
- Full production coverage thanks to two complementary models of the Alpha 530 and Alpha 560 machines.
- Continuous access to technical support thanks to a service agreement signed with Evoltec.
The heat pump industry continues to grow at a steady pace, and new factories are being built in Poland—in Łódź and in Lower Silesia. Representatives of Backer OBR do not rule out further expansion of the machinery fleet; however, the coming months—and even years—are expected to be primarily a time for making fuller use of the acquired technologies and further automating production.
Coordinating all the components of the production line was a huge challenge that required close collaboration between our engineers and Evoltec’s experts. It was a complex process in which we jointly analyzed, among other things, the range of wiring harnesses we manufacture and samples of finished products; then it was time to visit the showroom in Warsaw and see the machines best suited to our needs in action.
DOMINIK OSTROWSKI, PRODUCTION ENGINEERING AND TOOL CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT BACKER OBR
Through the Eyes of an Evoltec Expert
Artur Piłka and Mateusz Łukiewicz, technical and sales consultants at Evoltec
Thanks to our joint commitment to the Stargard plant expansion project, as well as numerous in-depth discussions, we were able to establish the terms and solutions that are best for Backer. From the very beginning, we were guided by the principle that the proposed machines must be fully compatible with the company’s current needs—following joint discussions and analyses, we always selected the equipment best suited to the factory’s production challenges.Throughout the entire process, we remained in constant contact with the purchasing department and the engineering team. Given the significant number of Komax machines at the Backer OBR plant, we discussed, among other things, an additional service agreement, which we ultimately signed. This agreement guarantees the regular presence of Evoltec service technicians at the production facility, as it includes a predetermined number of service visits per year. This is particularly important because it ensures that the machines are kept in good condition and also allows for more efficient use of the equipment.
If you are interested in the Alpha 530 machine or other solutions for automating cable production, please send an email to: sales@evoltec.pl
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