We particularly enjoy reporting in our newsletter on customer projects that have been accompanying us for many years or even decades. Our cooperation with RAUCH Landmaschinenfabrik GmbH has been ongoing for 20 years. In 2019, another completely new project was added, which we would like to tell you more about.
Sometimes it is very interesting to find out how customer relationships come about in the first place. Looking back through the history of WECUBEX Systemtechnik GmbH, we find the acquisition of the Herbolzheim-based company “Rime Blechformtechnik GmbH”. One of the employees who joined as part of the acquisition was Mr Eberhard Herrmann, who has now been responsible for the RAUCH account for 20 years, first for Rime and later for WECUBEX.
Starting with simple laser-cut and bent components, the business relationship steadily developed. This was followed by a first major project: the AERO GT hopper (fertiliser spreader). This hopper is used as a fertiliser spreader on large agricultural farms.
The AERO GT is a very high-quality product, which means that the manufacturing processes are highly demanding. Different materials are processed, including square tubes, round tubes and sheets in a wide range of thicknesses. The surface finish requirements are also very high.
This assembly can only be manufactured with highly precise welding work and extensive experience on the part of our employees, ensuring that the specified tolerances and requirements can be met.
Ongoing optimisation following a visit to the test hall in Rheinmünster
In summer 2019, another major and, above all, innovative project was added: the boom for the AERO pneumatic precision fertiliser spreader.
“Before Agritechnica, the leading trade fair for the agricultural machinery industry, Rauch approached us and asked whether we could supply the individual parts for a new project at short notice. The new project was to be presented at Agritechnica in Hanover,” recalls WECUBEX sales representative Eberhard Herrmann, remembering the beginnings of the boom order.
WECUBEX therefore manufactured the individual parts for the individual booms at short notice and, due to time constraints, produced the left and right initial sections completely, including welding. “Of course, we hoped that there would be strong demand and interest at the trade fair,” says Herrmann. And there was! RAUCH decided to send six agricultural machines for field testing. Shortly afterwards, a meeting took place at RAUCH’s test hall in Rheinmünster. In addition to Herrmann and Managing Director Christian Graeve, employees from the welding and design departments were also present, as the aim was ultimately to further optimise the boom.
For further optimisation, those responsible also decided to use a welding robot. Herrmann on the project: “I really enjoy working with RAUCH because we have an honest and open exchange. The ongoing optimisation is one example of this. We work together to identify improvements and solutions, which are then incorporated into the drawings by the designers. That is what constructive collaboration looks like to me.”
Once the changes had been implemented, WECUBEX was awarded the contract for a larger order volume. We wish RAUCH continued success with the booms and look forward to the next exciting projects!
