Sustainable growth with Swissness
To ensure that Andermatt Feinmechanik and Venturi continue to grow strongly in the future, their parent Helo Group relies on modern CNC technology from DMG MORI and a long-term partnership with them.
Both Andermatt Feinmechanik AG, with its two sites in Nürensdorf and Burgdorf, and Venturi AG from Höri are traditional subcontractors with decades of experience in CNC machining. As part of a succession plan, the Helo Group took over both companies in 2019 and 2022 respectively in order to further develop their great potential. The objective: to inspire young, talented machinists and ensure competitiveness using modern manufacturing solutions. This is where DMG MORI quickly came into play - as a supplier of two DMF traveling column machines for producing large parts and a CMX 50 U universal milling center for prototype production and, above all, as a competent partner that will support the long-term future growth of both companies.
Swissness - Succession planning and modernization for corporate development
The economic region around Zurich has long been considered one of Switzerland's centers for mechanical engineering. “Andermatt Feinmechanik and Venturi are prime examples of this specialist expertise. It motivated us six years ago to invest in this broadly diversified industrial sector,” says Urs Heller, owner of the Helo Group, explaining why he invested in the subcontractors. “Both companies have created a foundation that we intend to develop sustainably into the future.” Succession arrangements such as these are ideal opportunities for the Helo Group to support the Swiss market - hence the motto “Invest in Swissness”.
Quality components for demanding industries
With their respective focus areas, Andermatt Feinmechanik and Venturi complement each other perfectly. The former concentrates on prototype manufacture in Burgdorf and on the production of small to medium size batches in Nürensdorf. At Venturi, the focus is on machining large components - even with certification for the nuclear energy sector. “This allows us to offer a very broad range of components for numerous industries,” says Urs Heller, referring to customers in the packaging industry, aerospace, semiconductors and the medical sector, to name just a few. “Our strength lies in the high-precision machining of sophisticated components.”
Sustainable manufacturing solutions from DMG MORI
One of the first steps in the further development of both companies was to invest in production technology. “The aim was to replace old machines with more powerful and versatile models,” says Urs Heller. “In DMG MORI, we have found a partner that offers future-proof manufacturing solutions.” The previous purchases were a DMF 360|11 at Venturi and a DMF 300|8 at Andermatt Feinmechanik in Nürensdorf as a replacement for 20-year-old traveling column machines. In Burgdorf, prototype manufacture was reinforced with a CMX 50 U for productive 5-axis machining. “5-axis machining opens up completely new possibilities for us, especially on the DMF machines, to produce large, complex components in a single set-up and therefore significantly faster.”
Key factors for the Helo Group remaining competitive are the shortest possible throughput times and, of course, high accuracy. Here, the DMF models score highly thanks to their excellent stability. Urs Heller points out: “Batch sizes are becoming smaller due to part variance becoming larger and we increasingly have to deliver just-in-time.” It is also important to be able to handle orders at short notice. “More and more industries are demanding enormous flexibility, which we can only guarantee with intelligent production processes.”
Reliable partner with many years of industry expertise
This is another reason why Urs Heller sees DMG MORI as a reliable partner. The development of the machines benefits from the extensive industry expertise in the manufacturing plants and from the future-oriented focus of the innovative leader. “This includes holistic manufacturing concepts, including automation solutions and digitalization products.” For Urs Heller, paperless production and digitalized planning are just as important advances as the increasing automation of machining processes: “If the range of parts is suitable, pallet handling systems or robot-assisted automation solutions are a must for us.”
Continuous modernization and targeted acquisitions
Following the Helo Group's investment primarily horizontally with the machine acquisitions, i.e. in expanding the range of components the group offers, Urs Heller is also thinking about vertical expansion: “In the long term, further acquisitions are planned to strengthen our group with additional technologies such as grinding and welding.” Until then, the focus is on Andermatt Feinmechanik and Venturi. “With a total of around 40 specialists at the three sites, we will continue to push ahead with the modernization.”
Helo Group
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Helo Group