Clear view slats are a profit for the employees

The human eye, despite highly advanced technology, has the task in very complex production processes of controlling, assessing, and steering. For this work, it requires sufficient, glare-free light. Daylight at the workplace increases safe perception and enhances concentration. Franz-Haas-Waffle and Cookie Machinery Industry GmbH in Leobendorf, Austria, has installed high-speed turbo doors STT from Efaflex in a new production hall.

"The doors have transparent slats and let a lot of daylight into our production hall," explains Johann Pichler. He is the head of the building management of the Leobendorf plant. "For our employees, it is healthier to have hall lighting as a supplement, but mainly to benefit from natural daylight, especially in the areas around the doors." This significantly improves the quality of the workplaces and helps, among other things, to recognize hazardous situations and prevent accidents. The visual connection through the doors to the outside creates a more pleasant working environment for the employees. Made from SAN acrylic glass, which is more transparent than glass, the door slats weigh only a fraction of glass and remain permanently clear. "Efaflex was the first provider able to offer us a lot of light influx with a high thermal insulation value of the doors," reports Johann Pichler. According to workplace regulations, the temperature inside the production hall should be between 19 and 21°C. "The doors contribute significantly to maintaining these values without driving up energy costs."

Design was also important for the planners. "The doors look very appealing. One of the doors leads to the presentation room for our customers. They come from all over the world to our plant to get further advice before making purchase decisions or to inspect machines," recounts Johann Pichler. "Of course, we want to offer them an attractive environment." Currently, a total of nine fully automatic high-speed doors are installed in the plant, some at very sensitive points, such as the goods delivery area. There must be no jamming there. "Apart from the fact that after business hours, building security would not be guaranteed and our employees would freeze in winter, detours would significantly disrupt or halt the all-day incoming goods," describes Johann Pichler a worst-case scenario. However, there is nothing to criticize about the technology of the doors. Overall, the price-performance ratio is very good. The support from the Efaflex door system GmbH staff during planning, implementation, and service phases is also competent and flexible.

Flexibility of employees and lifelong service of the products, as well as always finding solutions tailored to customer needs, are also embedded in the corporate philosophy of the Haas Group. Design and development at the highest technical level are closely linked to the company's more than 100-year history.

Shortly after the turn of the century, master locksmith Josef Haas began working in Vienna with construction locksmithing and machine repairs. During World War II, he moved parts of his production equipment to today’s Czech Republic. His son Franz, who had learned in the family business together with his brother Karl, was entrusted with managing the site. His interest in waffle machines was sparked by repairing waffle irons. In 1948, back in Vienna, he was able to present his first waffle machine. Encouraged by initial sales successes, he began developing waffle production lines. In 1966, on this basis, he founded the company Franz Haas Waffle Machines together with his wife Maria.
Through the acquisition of complementary companies in the 1980s and 1990s and the establishment of subsidiaries in the Netherlands, China, and Denmark, as well as the further development of individual business areas, the Haas Group has secured steady growth. Today, the company employs 1,400 people worldwide, 600 of whom are at the headquarters in Leobendorf.