Alfa Laval production remains strong
(Posted on 12/05/20)
Aalborg, Denmark, is the production site for Alfa Laval PureBallast 3 ballast water treatment systems. Having quickly adapted to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown measures from the Danish government, the factory continues to meet global production demands – and has even surpassed expectations.
“While the world has slowed down, the implementation of the ballast water management convention remains unchanged,” says Peter Sahlén, Head of Alfa Laval PureBallast. “We simply must continue meeting our customers’ needs, regardless of the obstacles.”
Considering that PureBallast 3 has a leading market position and many orders outstanding, those obstacles have been large indeed. The Aalborg facility normally bustles with manufacturing teams, customers, class society representatives and visitors. Nevertheless, Alfa Laval is securing customer deliveries, even with far fewer people on the factory floor.
Alfa Laval’s approach has been a combination of rapid response and innovative thinking. The company took swift action to implement protective measures for employees, but also to secure components and materials that would be needed in the coming months. When the Danish government imposed a strict lockdown on 11 March, the factory in Aalborg was well prepared.
“We moved quickly from two shifts to three shifts, working in smaller teams that can easily maintain a safe distance,” says Søren Nord Larsen, who manages the factory in Aalborg. “There’s no contact between shifts. So, if one of our workers should be infected, we can lift the entire shift out without impacting the others or any customer deliveries.”
Even meals and breaks are taken individually, at different times. Tools are carefully handled and disinfected regularly, and support functions like purchasing and production planning are managed digitally to the greatest extent possible.
“It’s tough to change so quickly and dramatically, but colleagues have really taken the situation with a positive attitude and adapted to the new routines,” says Larsen. “Many come with their own ideas for improving things, because everyone wants this to happen for our customers.”
The success of these efforts is undeniable, especially as Alfa Laval has managed to increase production during the same period. “We’ve proven that this can be done, and we’re not simply maintaining the status quo,” says Larsen. “In March we set a record of 400 systems produced for the quarter, and our deliveries for the quarter were yet another all-time high.”
For Peter Sahlén, the high productivity in Aalborg builds on Alfa Laval’s long-term planning. “We’ve made extensive preparations for ramp-up in the last two years, and that readiness has served us well in this unusual situation,” Sahlén says. “We already had a systematic overview and allocated resources, which made it easier to recalibrate. Together with our customers we will make it through this situation – and our production will be even stronger on the other side.”
Latest News
Bulk carrier design presents decarbonisation challenge
(Posted on 03/12/23)Ship design, particularly the design of bulk carriers, presents particular challenges when it comes... Read more
VIKING changes the shape of the lifeboat market
(Posted on 26/11/23)VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global leader in maritime safety solutions, is launching an innovative... Read more
Gerdes Green subsidy for Damen Combi Freighter green innovations
(Posted on 26/11/23)Damen’s client Gerdes Green has received a subsidy from the German Government for the investment... Read more
Middle East AtoN course to enhance maritime safety in the Gulf
(Posted on 17/11/23)A first of its kind training course for the Middle East has been held to teach mariners about the basic... Read more
Wärtsilä and Seaspan transform maritime operations with SmartDock system
(Posted on 13/11/23)Wärtsilä ANCS, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has delivered to Seaspan, a marine... Read more
Gdansk welcomes Damen ASD Tugs
(Posted on 31/10/23)The flag raising ceremony for three new ASD Tugs has taken place in Gdansk, Poland. In the presence... Read more
Reducing training risks for crane drivers with state-of-the-art simulator
(Posted on 26/10/23)A new immersive crane simulator that can recreate high-risk scenarios without putting drivers or other... Read more
New Partnership to Introduce DX11 Smart Termination Technology to the UK
(Posted on 23/10/23)Vesto Ropes, a global leader in innovative steel wire-rope solutions, has announced a strategic partnership... Read more
Bedeschi awarded new longitudinal storage contract
(Posted on 23/10/23)Bedeschi S.p.a. has been awarded a contract for the design and supply of a new longitudinal storage... Read more
Methanol-ready: Rhenus equips coastal vessel for the future
(Posted on 18/10/23)Rhenus Maritime Services (RMS) is adding a new coastal vessel to its fleet in the shape of the RMS Ruhrort... Read more
