SILOKING 4.0: The next intelligent step for the feeding technology specialist

Technology leader sets the stage for the future across all management divisions

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Launch of SILOKING 4.0: The Mayer Maschinenbaugesellschaft mbH − primarily known as the SILOKING brand in the industry – is considered the technology leader in the field of feeding technology. The family-owned company, based in the administrative district of Traunstein, is now ready to open the next chapter of the company's history and places great emphasis on intelligent, networked manufacturing in the extension and setting up of production and machinery research - all characterised by Industry 4.0.

The interests and requirements of agricultural companies are the main focus in this regard: The challenges faced by dairy farms all over the world continue to grow due to current economic and framework conditions set forth by agricultural policy. The use of modern feeding technology, particularly feed mixers, has to support future-oriented dairy farmers with the efficient running of their businesses.

Comprehensive investments and modernisation

"It is our goal to continuously increase the efficiency and productivity of our production, sales and service locations using intelligent networking and automation, but we also strive always to provide our customers with new and future-oriented solutions and products, by means of sustainable efforts in the field of research and development, which optimally satisfy their requirements regarding functionality as well as economic efficiency", said SILOKING CEO Georg Mayer.

The cornerstone of this modernisation is the extension of the head office in Tittmoning with the goal of expanding the existing production capacities to handle future growth and simultaneously to create sensible options for future-oriented manufacturing and assembly technologies.

In order to fulfil customer demands even more quickly and to a higher standard of quality, the spare parts stores and service facility are being re-erected in Tittmoning. Other focal points are the optimisation of manufacturing and the adaptation of the product portfolio with regard to the implementation of rational manufacturing principles (for example common-part and platform strategies, etc.).

The company is currently investing 2.5 million Euros into a new production hall, a modern laser cutting facility and efficient welding and turning installations at their Záhorská Ves site located in Western Slovakia, which was established in 2003 and where numerous welded assemblies are produced for assembly in Tittmoning.

Simultaneously, the Lean Production concepts that were implemented across all production locations a few years ago will be further intensified and integrated in all business areas.

The technology centre, with its prototype production facilities that is currently located at the Bavarian production location in Mayerhofen (4 km away from Tittmoning) is to be relocated to Tittmoning itself in the medium term. "By combining production and prototype production in a single location, we will be able to save significant costs and valuable development time in the medium term", Georg Mayer said.

Focus on international markets

Maximum production efficiency is one thing. But in order to expand into the international market, the feeding technology specialists have also launched a comprehensive internationalisation process as part of SILOKING 4.0.

The current focus is on business expansion in approx. 50 countries. This expansion is supported by the headquarters in Tittmoning and the existing branches in Russia, Brazil and China. SILOKING has established sales and service locations there, which satisfy modern standards regarding organisational processes and procedures.

Improved corporate management thanks to a new ERP system

Facing high demands and requirements concerning the range of products and services as well as the resulting complexity of production, sales, service and administration processes at an international scale, corporate management has decided to introduce new, pioneering ERP software (SAP). The intention is to satisfy the requirements of a sound and substantiated organizational as well as economic control of the entire value adding process across the management group.

Global business vision

"SILOKING 4.0 represents a continuous optimisation and change process for us, which we have launched in the past years and that is expanding to all areas and departments", Georg Mayer says.

The basis for all investments and measures is the continuous growth of the last decades, which we intend to maintain at an above average level in the future.

The family-owned company generated revenues amounting to approximately 60 million Euros with approx. 350 employees for the 2014/2015 financial year. The export share amounted to more than 50 percent.