Fantastic, sunny summer started already in May and it is time to enjoy holidays

Fortaco’s story continued to develop during the first half of 2018. Market remained overheated and growth gave both positive results and some issues, which needed attention. Our primary focus area was the growth, how to manage it combined with stabilization. I would like to express my thanks to Fortaco’s customers, suppliers, partners and all the great team members at Fortaco who are working together.

What are we expecting in the second half of 2018? I would say, many known and some unknown issues. The known issues are the well-defined customer demand, our ‘Make Tomorrow Better’ -actions and our own people capabilities. There are also some unknown issues, like the world trade barriers impacting on Fortaco’s business, and the high turnover of welders in some countries. Are we going to experience steel price stabilization, and is the offshore market returning like mining 12 months ago. I would like to say that the known and unknown issues are part of daily business and by staying focused we can all benefit together.

New Fortaco Technology unit
I have proudly experienced Fortaco’s mission in talks with our current and new customers - create value add for our customers by reshaping the way things are produced - and what it can offer on short- and long-term. I can see electrification to be one of many power sources instead of diesel power, and the new technology by autonomously driven vehicles addressing the need for change. Fortaco’s response is the new Fortaco Technology unit, we are experiencing an increased need by our customers to change and adapt into the new situation. This is just a positive change and an integrated part of the change of macro economics, which is targeting on more environmentally friendly future.

I am also proud to experience continuous work executed by Fortaco’s people to ‘Make Tomorrow Better Than Today’. It is important to reach ‘zero’ injuries and ‘zero’ quality defects, as well as deliver products as promised. Fortaco is in an early stage of the process. We benchmark the Toyota way of working and we know that Toyota is also in the early stage to make tomorrow better than today.

Value adding strategy
Fortaco has developed a new value adding strategy during the first half of the year to increase customer value. Our current strategy is based on the cost plus calculation, but the future model is based on value creation. The Fortaco team will start to discuss the future model together with our customers. We have spent time to further understand what our customers want from a strategic partner like Fortaco. Based on the talks and workshops we are ready to discuss our customers’ needs and the flexibility of components, module assemblies and complete vehicle assemblies.

It is time to celebrate Fortaco’s 5th holiday period, we are still young company and we intend to be young in our mindset. Let me wish our customers, suppliers and partners - and most importantly - Fortaco people a great summer and holiday with your nearest. The second half of 2018 is about to start, let us have fun together and shape the future.

With best regards,

Lars Hellberg
President & CEO


Fortaco Estonia continues with investments - new machining centers taken into use

Fortaco Estonia has taken into use two new machining centers to secure the future business growth. The new machinery will improve accuracy and quality for the manufacturing process and ensure increasing demand from the market.

The Huyndai horizontal boring machine KBN135L makes it possible to handle pieces up to 10 tons of weigh. Huynday is capable to handle movements up to X = 3 000 mm, Y = 2 000 mm, Z = 1 600 mm and W = 700 mm.

The Correa Fox 40 bridge type of machine represents a new and innovative concept with the speed and precision of high performance machining. There is a unique system, which is controlling temperature generated in the vertical axis of the machine. Correa has versatile capability up to X = 4 500 mm, Y = 2 500 mm and Z vertical = 1700 mm. The maximum weight of a work piece is 15 tons.

Together with the zero point fixing and pallet system the both machines are improving production efficiency and machining quality at Business Site Narva.


Steel laset cutting machinery in Fortaco Narva Business Site

Fortaco Estonia strengthens prefabrication capacity by investing in new laser cutting machine

Fortaco Estonia has taken into use the brand new Bystronic ByLaser 6000 -cutting machine to secure capacity for ready-to-weld parts. The new machine is using the latest laser technology with software solutions that enables the lean manufacturing processes. The machine will improve the quality of cutted parts and ensure effective robot welding process. In-built automatized features increase the utilization rate and make it possible to run the machine unmanned as well.

The new laser cutting machine is part of Fortaco Estonia’s investment program to ensure a sustainable growth together with Fortaco’s key customers.

Fortaco Business Site in Narva is one of the biggest Steel Fabrication companies in Estonia. Our factory is specialized to make components for material handling, forestry and mining industries, like booms for cranes, crappers and frames. Fortaco factory in Narva is using about 10.000 tons of steel plates per year, which are processed to high quality products by over 500 employees. Fortaco Estonia is the competence center of high-strength steel processing, as it requires special skills and experience in all phases of manufacturing processes.

The cutting area of the machine is 4090 mm x 2060 mm and maximum plate thickness is 25 mm.