Bonfiglioli’s Sydney factory has secured a new heavy-duty (HD) gearbox assembly machine, intended to double output and improve lead times to meet increasing industry demand.
Bonfiglioli national manager of HD and Planetary Kris Jaryn said HD solutions were the fastest growing sector in the company.
“This new machine will allow us to quote shorter delivery times for customers. Currently, the assembly process – including testing and painting of bevel-helical gearboxes, which weigh up to a tonne each – currently takes up to four days.
“Our Sydney plant processes units regularly each week. With the new machine, which is now enroute to Australia, we are looking at delivery of around ten gearboxes each week,” said Jaryn.
HD market growth
Bonfiglioli HD gearboxes are utilised mainly in heavy industry.
The gearboxes are generally assembled in company’s 5,000m2 Sydney factory, using components shipped from Europe. However, when handling multiple large orders, Bonfiglioli will build the gearboxes in Italy or Slovakia to avoid the delays imposed by space or labour constraints.
By combining planetary and bevel-helical gearboxes that can deliver high ratio with high output torque for specific processes, Bonfiglioli has established a niche in the market.
Supporting local industry
Jaryn said that post-Covid, industry players had struggled with stock volumes, occasionally resulting in issues with delivery.
“This prompted us to increase our local stockholding and to send simultaneous large orders to Europe to save on time,” said Jaryn.
Bonfiglioli currently holds about $15 million worth of stock at its Sydney premises, and this includes components for heavy duty gearboxes.
“We offer the market high quality products and have a good local presence with local expertise and service, and we look forward to the improved delivery times that the new assembly machine will afford us,” said Jaryn.
