Alfa Laval moves into new heat exchanger factory
24th November 2020
ITALY: Alfa Laval’s brazed heat exchanger (BHE) production is moving into a new, purpose-built factory in San Bonifacio, Italy.
Though only a short distance from the current site in Alonte, Alfa Laval says the new factory will be a significant leap in terms of customer service and experience. Manufacturing has already begun at the advanced new facility, and preparations are being made for research and customer training on site.
Describing the new factory, Fredrik Ekström, president of Alfa Laval’s business unit brazed & fusion bonded heat exchangers, said: “Larger, more automated and better situated for logistics, it has ample room for further growth and will shore up our BHE capacity for many years to come. In addition, it will feature an advanced lab for refrigerant research and a well-equipped training centre.”
The San Bonifacio plant provides 15,000m2 of production area and logistics and 6,000m2 of offices and laboratories on a 31,000 m2 site. In addition, the plant has 1MW of solar power installed on its roof.
Besides loading bays, forklift-free internal logistics and other physical improvements over the Alonte site, it will have a digitalised warehouse management system to oversee the flow of materials and goods. In addition to increased capacity, the production itself is said to boast many new advances in manufacturing.
Despite the challenges of an ongoing pandemic, the transition has stayed largely on schedule. In September, the new factory received its ISO 9001, 14001, 45001 certifications, as well as PED, ASME and UL certifications. ISO 50001 energy certification will follow.
