Florence, Ken.-based KraussMaffei Corp. has broadened its manufacturing capabilities to produce extruders locally with a focus on pipe and profile applications.
In the past, the company received “iron-ready” extruders from Germany, then integrated U.S. electrical components such as motors, drives, and controls, according to Doug Alexander, business development manager of the Pipe and Profile division.
“Now, the full assembly of these extruders is taking place within the United States,” Alexander said in an email.
KraussMaffei still makes extruders in Laatzen, Germany. The Florence facility will only make pipe, profile and sheet extruders for the North American market.
KMC hired three full-time assembly technicians as part of the change.
Alexander said localizing production improves U.S. engineering resources, equipment knowledge and access to spare parts. The change will also reduce lead times and improve customer support for North American customers, Alexander added. The change should shave months off the machine build, he said.
The switch to build extruders in the U.S. marks a significant milestone in KraussMaffei’s commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and meeting the demands of the North American market, according to Alexander.
The first two machine builds are in the works with the Kentucky staff assembling two of its largest extruders, each for industrial applications.
One extruder, a KME150-36B/R model, will produce 54-inch HDPE pipe. The other, a KMD164-32P/L sheet extruder, is being tested for a large foam PVC production line.
“We haven’t altered the design of our extruders. Our customers value the quality of German engineering, and by leveraging local supply chains, we are able to deliver machines that meet their specific needs with even greater efficiency,” Alexander said.
The timing has nothing to do with tariffs, he added.
“Currently, there are no significant tariffs on German goods entering the U.S., offering little to no advantage in that regard,” Alexander said.