Montex Maschinenfabrik, the key site for the manufacturing of Monforts finishing machines located in St. Stefan, in the centre of Austria’s Lavant Valley in Carinthia, has celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022. The advanced manufacturing hub, founded by Monforts in 1982, continues to serve its customers with a strong team and know-how.
Montex Plant Manager Gert Hanzl said that from the outset, they have specialised in all aspects of machine production, including high-precision sheet metal working, laser cutting and welding, and the pre-assembly of machines and components, along with a well-organised quality management and spare parts service.” Noting that they work very closely with the Monforts research and development team in Mönchengladbach, Germany, to take the latest new ideas through testing and prototyping, in readiness for future series production, Hanzl stated: “We are fully exploiting the many new possibilities in the continuous development of design and manufacturing methods. The respective electrical switch cabinets for the machines are delivered just-in-time from Monforts in Germany according to our production schedules.”
Bespoke machines for customers in technical textile or special textiles
Gert Hanzl mentioned that while there is standardisation in series-produced Monforts machines, Montex is also increasingly called upon to construct bespoke machines with unique designs, according to the special needs of customers in technical textile or special textiles. He stated that they aim for the best combination of already-proven components and carefully-tested special constructions and they are equipped to handle large projects.
The core Monforts machine range, including the industry standard Montex stenters, along with relaxation dryers, Thermex dyeing ranges, Monfortex compressive shrinking ranges and Montex®Coat coating units is built at the Austrian site.
Well-trained staff to multi-task gives Monforts flexibility and strength
Gert Hanzl said that they have employees who have worked at this site long time, some even since the foundation of Montex Austria and noted that but it is very important that they train apprentices at the same time, in order to pass on their know-how and ensure the high standard that customers expect from Monforts systems is maintained going forward. Hanzl expressed that one of the key advantages of being here in the heart of Europe is the Dual Training System, one of the best training systems in the world and disclosed: “It combines theoretical instruction in a vocational school with practical training both within the company and in training workshops. Established staff also train regularly to develop new skills and everyone is involved at all stages of production and trained to multi-task. This gives us flexibility and strength.”
Monforts Managing Director Stefan Flöth stated that colleagues from Mönchengladbach heartily congratulate the Montex team on its 40th company anniversary, saying: “We would like to thank the company for the decades of good and successful cooperation we have had and wish the operation continued success in working with us for the next 40 years.”