BEYOND SURFACES

1 Uppsala 2 pune 1 new oeRlIKon BAlZeRS ApplICATIon SUppoRT CenTeR FoR pRe- And poST-TReATmenT In Sweden Oerlikon Balzers has opened a new application support center in Uppsala, Sweden, for pre- and post-treatment of cutting tools for the automotive industry. The facility serves as an information and consulting center for customers and a training center for new employees and apprentices. Oerlikon Balzers’ primeGear service, offered in many customer centers worldwide, reconditions high-quality cutting tools to reduce manufacturing costs for gear components and preserve natural resources. It was introduced as a cooperative research and development venture with long-standing business partners and customers. The new location in Uppsala serves as a Global Center of Competence, where the customized surface pre- and post-treatment service will be further developed and optimized. Also, Oerlikon Balzers’ employees can receive advanced training on the latest pre- and post- treatment technology. In accordance with Oerlikon Balzers‘ strategy of being as close as possible to its customers, the surface treatment services provided at the former location in Uppsala (formerly Primateria) have been decentralized to the individual customer centers in Sweden. This step brings Oerlikon Balzers even closer to its Swedish customers, accelerates logistical processes and improves the CO 2 footprint by eliminating transport routes. 2 oeRlIKon BAlZeRS In pUne, IndIA: TRAdITIon And new oppoRTUnITIeS More than 350 customers, guests of honor, and employees gathered at Oerlikon Balzers to celebrate 25 years of operation in Pune, India. The event, held in October 2019, not only commemorated this milestone but also looked to the future and the inauguration of a new forming tools center, a sign of the company’s continued commitment to the Indian market. The new production space is dedicated exclusively to forming tools and represents a substantial expansion in response to growing customer demand for innovative coating service solutions with short lead times. The production area features state-of-the-art pre- and post-treatment processes and can handle large forming tools and low-pressure nitriding for metal, plastic and aluminum die casting tools, which aligns with the increasing demand for these services in India. During the ceremony, Dr Wolfgang Kalss, Head of Cutting Tools at Oerlikon Balzers, said: “Continuous investment in the form of new coating centers throughout India and consistently high-quality customer service have enabled Oerlikon Balzers to build a strong rep- utation and position itself as a leader in the coating industry. We have always deployed our latest coating technology and equipment in this country to offer outstanding products and services to our customers.” AT yoUR SIde even closer to our customers