Dürr receives large contracts worth more than 150 million euros

07/09/2002

The Paint Systems business unit of the Dürr Technology Group has received several large paint finishing systems contracts from the BMW Group having a total value in excess of 150 million euros.

Dürr is to install fully automatic paint lines with robots for primer and top coat application, which will be commissioned during the next 2 years at a number of locations. The Dürr systems to be supplied include not only paint robots, material supply equipment and spray booths but also ovens for the car bodies and heat recovery and clearcoat powder recycling units. The BMW Group contract package placed with Dürr also includes responsibility for coordination of electrical and conveyor equipment supplies.

These large contracts represent a continuation of the cooperation between the BMW Group and Dürr aimed at introducing high performance robotic painting technologies. Following completion of paint robot orders received last year more than 170 Dürr paint robots are now in operation at several BMW plants in Germany. All over the world a growing number of vehicle manufacturers are replacing conventional machine concepts with paint robots as they offer greater flexibility, more cost-effective operation and even higher quality standards.

The Dürr Technology Group is one of the world's leading suppliers of production systems and manufacturing support services for the automotive industry and its suppliers. As part of its 'Life Cycle Strategy', Dürr offers a comprehensive program of systems solutions for major value-adding steps in automobile manufacture. These range from production process planning to the installation of turnkey systems and on to manufacturing support and assistance services in full-production conditions. The Group's five business units, operating under the strategic leadership of Dürr AG, employ approximately 12,500 people worldwide and are directly represented in 26 countries. In 2001 the Dürr Group achieved total sales in excess of 2.2 billion euros and an operating result (EBITDA) of 135 million euros.