New establishment – well-tried
On 2 October 2009 a new business was established in Hamelin/Lower Saxony – SKG-Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH. This was a bold step at a time when companies have been disappearing from the market due to the global financial crisis. However, the founders of the business are no newcomers – the two managing directors of the young company have not only had 25 years of experience in the rock and associated products industry, they also had many good customer contacts. It was simply their reputation based on many years of cooperation and their qualification in the field of the design of mineral processing equipment that made the new start of the company a success in this economically difficult time.
The strength of SKG-Aufbereitungstechnik is their ability to prepare tailor-made and cost-effective solutions for their customers and to implement them in the construction of effective and powerful plants. Above all, the close contact to the parties ordering based on partnership is in the foreground.
The range of products comprises complete mineral processing plants, screening machines and scoop wheels, classifying equipment as well as upgrading projects for existing plants. SKG offer the following services:
• planning and construction of mineral processing plants for the rock and associated products industry (Figs. 1 and 2)
• conversion and modernisation
• consulting ordered by customers
• manufacture and supply of screening machines as circular vibration screens or linear-motion screens
• manufacture and supply of scoop wheels
• manufacture and supply of classifying plants according to a new highly effective process (patent pending).
In the months since the foundation of the company various projects and plants have already been implemented. The latest plant in the gravel and sand sector was successfully commissioned for the company Minthe GmbH & Co. KG.
In addition, the managing directors have already established two agencies – one near Krakow/Poland and one in Kehl/South Germany.
The editorial board of AT INTERNATIONAL spoke with both managing directors of SKG-Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH, Uwe Kaik (Fig. 3) and Carsten Schaper (Fig. 4), on the occasion of the establishment of the firm.
AT INTERNATIONAL: Was it not rather daring to establish a new company in times of crisis and company insolvencies?
Carsten Schaper: In spite of the economic crisis we see promising chances for our young company. We have a very good knowledge of the branch and of the market and offer 25 years of experience gained in the rock and associated products industry to our customers. The many longstanding contacts to business partners show that this know-how and our trustworthy relationship to the customers based on partnership are in demand.
AT INTERNATIONAL: How many orders/projects has SKG Aufbereitungstechnik received or implemented, respectively, since the establishment in October 2009? What were the most exacting ones?
Uwe Kaik: Our order books are well filled and we look
ahead confidently to the future with our team. We profit
by the general positive dynamics in our branch and by
the confidence our customers place in us. Many of them signalize that they would also like to cooperate with us in the future.
AT INTERNATIONAL: Where do you see the future focus of SKG Aufbereitungstechnik – what are the goals you wish to achieve?
Carsten Schaper: Our services include the planning and preparation of concepts for complete mineral processing plants, the design, manufacture and supply of a comprehensive range of special equipment as well as the competent consulting ordered by customers. This is precisely our focus as processing experts in this industry.
As regards the future … – in January we applied for a patent for a classifying machine operating according to a new, highly effective process developed by us. The first presentations of this new technology were met with enthusiasm. Our future planning is the realization of this innovative product.
AT INTERNATIONAL: On which international markets are you active? How should these activities be expanded?
Uwe Kaik: The majority of our customers come from Germany. However, our competence is also very much in demand with our foreign customers. The number of orders received from abroad is increasing. A stabilization of our company in the market has highest priority.
AT INTERNATIONAL: Thank you very much for the informative discussion.
