Ditching and safety frames.

Transcription

1 Duun Industrier AS (originally Duun Smia as) is situated close to the main road E6 in the village Åsen 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Trondheim airport Værnes. The company was established in 1956 by the Even and Lilly Duun (husband and wife) and had it 50 years anniversary in During these 50 years, both the society in general and company have experienced a tremendous development. It all started in former people s house in Branndalen a very modest housing. The activity during the first years of existence was focused on developments of items for agricultural use like potato planters, potato harvesters and repair work. The old community building got extended and reconstructed to a more modern standard. Ditching and safety frames. Having experimented with ditching equipment a big chain drive excavator was build. The basis for this was rejected war material from Second World War bought from various dealers in the Trondheim area. These materials were high quality and the excavator had high performance and brought good income for the company. In 1956 income from ditching were approx Euro. This income financed further experiments with equipment for the agricultural sector.

2 The first safety frame for tractors was built in In 1962, a light version cab was in sale. This contributed too much experience before safety frames got mandatory in 1964 in Norway. The company delivered safety frames for Mc Cormick and Volvo tractors having these smash tested and approved at Landbruktsteknisk Institutt in Ås (LTI) Norway. These smash tests could be a challenge for both tractors and engineering people behind. During these years and coming years, safety frames were the main activity accompanied by continuous development of a more efficient manufacturing process. Examples of this was in-house developed tube bending machine, fully automated paint plant and self constructed and manufactured 250 tons hydraulic press. Awaited new building.. In 1967 the turnover passed Euro and the work frce increased to 16 person. Lack of adequate facilities like wash room, lunch room and minimal office space called for more space since the factory also was overall crowded. The company evaluated mowing to a neighbouring community. Åsen was now in the outskirts of the Levanger municipality. Representatives for the local government suggested an industrial site close to the railway station in the centre of Åsen. Property owner Signe Augdal was willing to sell square metres of ground for this purpose. Another area was reserved for further expansion. Levanger municipality contributed to the projects for road investments and sewage system. The national development fund at that time also contributed to the establishment. Ground preparation started spring At same time manufacturing in the old location was running. In 1969 production was running smoothly in the new modern plant. Modern offices, dining room, washroom and lunch room improved the working environment. 23 employees now faced increasing demand for safety frames which now were completed to more complete cabs with doors and windows. High capacity and high productivity ensured also economic success. Diversification In small car trailers were developed. This in order to utilize capacity better and spreading product risk. Small car trailers were a big item for many years. This manufacturing closed in The knowledge in cab manufacturing was utilized further in manufacturing og cabs for forklift trucks, cranes and for specialcabs among other the railways Robel tractors. The production was expanding and demanded more space. The second building was erected and activated spring The total ground area for buildings now increased by 70%. New technology The main product area for the company had so far been cabs and equipment for agricultural purpose. In order to keep up with the technical development the company in 1974 bought is first NC lathe. This technical wonder

3 had some childrens diseases causing a more reluctant attitude to modern technology. During the 70,s and 80,s other products also were developed and sold. SMS products were a licence agreement for manufacturing of implements for forklift trucks like paper roll clamps and sideshifters. The forklift truck was also the power source for manoeuvring the Contrail container wagon. This product demanded to much space during manufacturing and both patent and production rights sold. At the end of the 70-ies the tractor manufacturers were starting manufacturing their own cabs. The last version of tractors cabs was the so-called Duun cabin for John Deere, Internatinal and Zetor. This model was manufactured from 76 to 82. In 1981 travtor cabs represented 31% of the turnover and cabs for forklift trucks 25%. Slurry handling During the 80-ies handling of slurry from agriculture had a high focus. In 1983 a prototype of slurry proof gate was tested. This product was launched in 1984 along with scraper blades for tractors. Slurry pumps for agriculture was a new and demanding market segment. Contact with the Technical University in Trondheim was established in 84 in order to development a pump to combine with slurry gates. This producte was developed and sold in quantities for 86 to 90. Slurry pumps with long drivelines was introduced in 1991 and became market leader three years after launch. The Moxy company manufacturing articulated dumper trucks was contacted in Duun Smia then became the cab manufacturer for Moxy Trucks.

4 Distinction for welding competence It has all the time been a main principle to maintain profit made as a vital part of the companies assets as an insurance for hard times. Another argument for this is always to be credit-worthy for continuous investments in better products and technology. The company was awarded the so called welding prize in 1989 for its will and ability to utilize modern technology in manufacturing. This prize had been awarded to 7 companies since its establishment in 1984 at that time. Efficient production The all over technical competence in sheet metal working was background for starting manufacture of safety cabinets in This turned out to be a major product for the next years. A condition for participating in such a market with strong international competition is to maximize use of high productive manufacturing methods as well a having a functional design. Challenges and possibilities for the last decade. At the beginning of this period the company focused on activities related to drivers cabs for Moxy Trucks and for forklift trucks. This demanded high level of activity continuously designing cabs for new models. For the Moxy company a design project comprising new design of both dumper truck as well as cab was executed in cooperation with the industrial designer Espen Torup. Later resourced were dedicated to automating the cab manufacture. For the other business areas a renewal of product groups was performed in order to keep a leading market position. Drastic adjustment. Moxy got severe financial problems during two period around This led to drop in turnover and drastic adjustment for Duun Industrier as. This in addition to deficit in both year 2000 and Profits being kept in the company now had a decisive effect for the companys further life.. In order to have a quick recovery a range of new products were developed and launched. Socalled V-type snow blowers was a new product in 2002, and a complete range of snow blowers developed and intrduced to the Norwegian market. In addition agreements for export to Sweden were made. Firewood processors started as project in 2003 and were introduced early In 2006 the year of jubilee firewood processors had gained a considerable export volume for both Germany and Denmark. This business area is considered to be a growth area with potential. In order to be a full line supplier sand spreaders were sold in quantities to Sweden and partly in Norway. New production technology In order to strengthen competitiveness all products are robot welded and vast investments in paint systems performed. This reducing manual paint work to a minimum. These investments also contributes to a better working environment. The founders of Duun Smia AS The couple Lilly and Even Duun both came from rural districts in Norway. Lilly worked in dairy business and Even in a work shop in Trondheim. The started the business in Åsen more than 50 years ago.

5 They both had well paid employment, bur wanted to do something on their own. And the results from ideas, effort and hard work are obvious. Robust products having a top position in the market. A very skilled work force and management from own family bringing traditions further. Lilly Duun died in year The everyday life for an inventor. Being an engineer you always search for possible improvements for systems or items, says one of the founders Mr. Even Duun. Is it possible to develop a less noisy railway system? he asks watching the express train passing the nearby station area. An inventor is always searching for improvements or a better way to do things. It is totally different to work with details and sales and marketing. An inventor do not have detailed focus on money and economy Even admits. Lilly performed book-keeping and financial control and regulations for this area. Amazing overall development. The development of society in general and for the company simultaneously has been almost incredible both of the founders express. In the community at the start in 1956 there were only three welding apparatuses. We were one of the companies using this technology and there were strict limitations for the application from the power supplier. Maximum welding rod diameter was 3,25mm Even remembers.