New Lithuania Facility Increases Trelleborg’s Capacity for Pipe Rehab Products
March 9, 2017
Trelleborg’s Pipe Seals operation has opened a brand-new facility for rehabilitation pipe liner operations in Tauragé, Lithuania. The new factory is predicted to triple production output to meet increasing global demand for pipeline rehabilitation products.RELATED: Trelleborg Expands Pipe Liner Production Line in Lithuania
Constructed in just five months, the new site houses a 21,528 sq-ft state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for pipe rehabilitation liners, seals and carrier materials. Built next to the existing facility, Trelleborg was able to minimize disruption to production and employees, who now operate from the new facility.
The new production facility was opened in November 2016. The official grand opening and inauguration ceremony took place on Feb. 28, 2017.
“Since commencing the production of rehabilitation products back in 2011, we have continued to expand our range and output, and have quickly outgrown our existing premises,” says Bill Hagenberg, business unit president for Trelleborg’s Pipe Seals operation. “Across the world, existing water infrastructure is aging, impacting the failure rates of pipes and the ability of water and wastewater networks to operate efficiently. Coupled with an ever-increasing population placing an added burden on the networks, our customers face ongoing pressure to make improvements. With the new space and an improved workflow we are now well positioned to work more closely with our customers and respond with greater speed and efficiency.”
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As part of the company’s global Energy Excellence program and ongoing commitment to accelerating performance in a sustainable way, the facility features a number of new technologies designed to increase resource efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
“We have invested heavily in new technologies for the site, and combined with greater capacity, we’re now able to meet the growing market demands and develop innovative, cost-effective products that provide long term leak-free solutions for rehabilitated sewer and storm water networks,” added Andreas Bichler, research and development director within Trelleborg’s Pipe Seals operation.
An official ground-breaking ceremony was held at the site in April 2016, with Tauragé’s District Mayor, Sigitas Mičiulis in attendance. A time capsule was buried containing a certification of quality, to officially commemorate the occasion and mark the location as a place of development and innovation.
All of Trelleborg’s pipe rehabilitation operations have moved from their current production location to the new facility. All carrier materials including DrainLiner, DrainPlusLiner, DrainFlexLiner, MtH Liner, LCR Liner and LCR Hat profiles, will be manufactured there.
