nora Systems continues on an investment course

nora systems continues its investment course: in 2016, the company alone spent around seven million euros at the Weinheim site on new equipment, technical innovations, and employee development. Furthermore, at the beginning of the year, the manufacturer of rubber floor coverings and shoe components opened a new representative office near Sydney to advance business in Australia and New Zealand. The second-largest employer in Weinheim also increased its sales again in 2016: revenue rose from 218.7 million euros in 2015 to now 221.1 million euros. EBITDA, earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation, grew by 15 percent in the same period to 44.2 million euros.

Higher productivity through new equipment

Since March 2017, a new milling machine has been operating in the nora inlay center. Now, custom-designed motifs such as symbols, logos, or directional guides can be integrated into the rubber floor seamlessly, as before. Because the coverings are no longer cut through but only the contours of the motifs are routed out, the surface remains 100 percent waterproof, opening up new application areas. Particularly in the transportation market segment, such as trains, railways, or buses, customers often take advantage of the inlay installation option. Recently, significant large-scale orders have been won again: For example, Bombardier ordered extensive nora floors for the metro in New Zealand's capital, Queensland.

At the end of 2016, a new lightweight cell press was also put into operation for manufacturing nora shoe components. The rubber elements are mainly used in orthopedic technology and shoe repair. Step by step, the mixtures, recipes, and tools are being adapted to the new system, which will contribute not only to improved quality but also to increased raw material yield. "With these investments, we are continuing our successful course towards increasing the efficiency of production," said Managing Director Andreas Mueller. Later this year, further new machines and equipment, such as an automatic press for norament tiles, will be delivered. The investment volume will amount to nearly nine million euros.

Shops & Stores back in focus

With the successful introduction of new products such as the rubber coverings noraplan lona and norament arago, as well as the innovative quick-lay system nora nTx, the market segment Shops & Stores is once again gaining prominence. Since March of this year, Simon Knauf has been responsible as the new market segment manager for key customers and the development of new business areas in Germany and Europe. "With the appealing new designs, we have the ideal product portfolio for retail, both in the food and non-food sectors," Mueller is convinced. The nora nTx is also particularly suited for use in retail construction. The self-adhesive floor covering can be installed almost dust- and dirt-free during ongoing operations and can be walked on immediately afterward. This way, neither the workflow of sales staff nor the customers are disturbed.

Renovation of the training center and e-learning

For the development of its employees and the equipment of the site, nora systems invested several hundred thousand euros again last year. For example, the training and information center, where internal company events are also held, was extensively renovated and received a fresh, modern look. Also in focus: e-learning. For example, nora systems developed special training courses for sales. Online seminars on communication techniques or time management are also offered. Additionally, the intranet was completely redesigned so that employees can be informed even faster about news and learn about investments or business developments.

"Through all these measures, we ensure that the Weinheim site remains competitive in the future," emphasized CEO Mueller. nora systems employs more than 1,000 people worldwide, of whom 825 work in Germany. Weinheim is both the production site and the company's headquarters.*