08.09.2022

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Overcoming challenges in difficult times

01.07.2022

Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH looks back at a successful first half of the year- although the period was and is characterized by the Corona pandemic. In order to stay one step ahead, the Mechanical Engineering is constantly working on new technologies, processes and products. Leifeld is finally able to present innovations live at trade fairs again. The company reported an incoming order volume of almost EUR 20 million in the first half of the year.

Die wirtschaftlichen Herausforderungen, bedingt durch die anhaltende Corona-Pandemie, dem Krieg in der Ukraine und einer gestörten Lieferkette dauern weiter an. „Wir spüren nach wie vor starke Lieferengpässe, etwa bei elektrischen Komponenten in Schaltschränken“, erläutert Oliver Reimann, CEO The economic challenges resulting from the ongoing Corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a disrupted supply chain continue to persist. “We are still experiencing serious supply bottlenecks, such as with electronic components in switch cabinets”, explains Oliver Reimann, CEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH. “However, we benefit from our financially strong parent company Nihon Spindle (Sumitomo Heavy Industries). Despite all odds, we were able to meet long delivery deadlines to our end customers in a disrupted supply chain environment thanks to a not insignificant “Cash” deployment and opting for an anticipatory purchasing strategy”. Using an interdisciplinary planning and an intelligent sourcing strategy, Leifeld has been able to generate significant competitive advantages, generate new orders and further expand its position as global market leader.

„Hersteller müssen sehr flexibel auf diese Marktentwicklungen reagieren können“, ist sich Oliver Reimann sicher. Für die Herstellung der Räder gewinnt das Drückwalzverfahren durch diese neuartige Technologie „Mit unserer stetig wachsenden Forschungs- und Entwicklungsabteilung arbeiten wir kontinuierlich an neuen Technologien, Verfahren und Produkten“, sagt Oliver Reimann. Ein Schwerpunktthema in den vergangenen Monaten war etwa die Patentanmeldung für die Prozessoptimierung 4.0, die das Ziel der Null Fehler im Prozess verfolgt. Die neue Lösung ist bereits praxiserprobt und beispielsweise bei der L“With our constantly growing Research and Development Department we work continuously on new technologies, processes and products”, says Oliver Reimann. A main area of focus in the last months has been the patent registration for the process optimization 4.0 which aims for zero error in the process. The new solution is already tried and tested in practice and e.g. is successfully in use for LEIFELD AFPM, the flow-forming machine for poles and pipes. Another area of focus was the product launch of the likewise patent protected Wheel Spinning Centers- LEIFELD WSC Flex for the manufacture of aluminum wheels. With the new process the user has great flexibility and can produce various rim diameters, profiles, wall thicknesses, and rim widths without having to use expensive tools. “We have also focused heavily on technologies and processes using which weight-optimized rotor shafts can be manufactured for electro-mobility”, reports Reimann.

Präsentiert werden die Neuheuten endlich wieder auf den Messen rund um den Globus, die – Corona-bedingt – in den vergangenen beiden Jahren weitgehend lahmgelegt waren. Leifeld stellte seine Innovations that were largely crippled in the last two years due to the Corona pandemic can finally be presented in trade fairs and around the world again. Leifeld presented its product innovations at the SpaceTech Expo in the USA, the IMTEX Forming in India and the Automotive Engineering Expo in Japan, among others. Customer appointments were also possible only to a limited extent in the past year. This has improved significantly once again. “Nothing takes the place of personal contact” Leifeld CEO is pleased to point out.

10.05.2022

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Efficient Wheel Manufacturing Reaches a New Level

04.05.2022

 

It’s similar to throwing on a pottery wheel – Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH has developed a new machine for manufacturing rims using a flow forming process, which, for the first time ever, also works with internal rollers: instead of hands, rollers are used to shape the inside and outside surfaces. Because the process works without tools, the user has maximum flexibility and can even economically produce lot sizes of one with the Leifeld WSC Flex.

 

“Market developments and our own standards are continuing to drive the flow forming process,” says Oliver Reimann, CEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH. The global market leader from Ahlen in the Westphalian Münsterland develops machine tools for chipless metal forming that are used in the automotive, aerospace, energy, and other industries and in diverse industrial applications around the world. The CEO especially sees trends in the automotive industry. Growing design complexity and increasing wheel size along with increasing variant variety and rising cost pressures are only a few of many arguments that speak in favor of using the Leifeld WSC Flex. For manufacturers of aluminum wheels, the patented technology is a real sensation. It offers far-reaching potential in wheel manufacturing for improving productivity, lowering cost, and thus creating relevant competitive advantages for OEMs and after sales wheel manufacturers.

“Manufacturers have to be able to react very flexibly to these market developments,” says Oliver Reimann. Thanks to this novel technology, the flow forming process is gaining relevance for wheel manufacturing. “With our market-leading technologies and machines, we can form vehicle rims from cast aluminum in such a way that they are considerably lighter than conventional wheels and at the same time stronger,” promises Benedikt Nillies, Technical Director at Leifeld. With wheels formed in this way, manufacturers can meet the legal requirements for reduction of CO₂ emissions more easily. Lower weight means greater range, i.e., less fuel or energy consumption.

 

Additional Material Thickness Reduction Thanks to Higher Strength

Aluminum rims are often cast or forged as single pieces. The flow forming process improves the material’s grain structure, which significantly increases the final rim strength after heat treatment. “We have the possibility of reducing the material cross section at certain points and flexibly adapting it to the load requirements of the wheels,” says Nillies. “With this process, we achieve a better grain structure.” The resultant increase in strength makes it possible to reduce the material thickness even further. Wall thicknesses and wheel geometries can be optimally adapted to the wheel requirements – this allows for flexible wheel design and maximum weight savings. 

 

Flexibility Without Tools

“How can we support our customers even better in reacting to market trends such as increasing variety or just-in-time production with a high level of flexibility? That is what we asked ourselves here in the team,” says Sales Director Harald Knechtel. Leifeld’s response was to revolutionize the well-known flow forming process. “Our patented Leifeld WSC Flex technology works flexibly without tools,” says Harald Knechtel: “The principle is a little like throwing pottery. The forming movement of the hands is similar to the axial and radial movements of the internal and external rollers.”   

With the process, the user has great flexibility and can produce different rim diameters, profiles, wall thicknesses, and rim widths. Whereas classic flow forming uses one tool per rim type, the new Leifeld WSC Flex uses no tools whatsoever. There are thus no setup times and no product-specific tooling costs during operation. Tooling procurement costs, storage, and repair are done away with completely. As a result, production factors are used economically and efficiently and lean production can be realized. The user can carry out product changes seamlessly without having to perform disruptive setup activities. “With a standard machine, two to three setup operations are performed on average per day, with each setup operation potentially taking about 1.5 hours due to the preheating of the tools and startup of production,” says Harald Knechtel. “Through the use of the multifunctional chuck, our new process is especially suitable for chaotic production with lot sizes of one and up.”

 

Profitable Right Down the Line

Leifeld offers the WSC Flex with various workpiece changeover concepts and with different numbers of rollers, depending on customer-specific performance requirements. The cycle times of the new machine are comparable to those of tool-bound machines. One function that was previously not available allows a completely cylindrical region to be formed with the new process for improved wheel stability. “Our WSC Flex technology is a world’s first with high market potential,” says Sales Director Harald Knechtel. “We have concentrated primarily on customers that manufacture cast wheels. The new process also offers numerous advantages for manufacturing of forged vehicle wheels.” With the WSC Flex technology from Leifeld, the user can chaotically process 18- to 24-inch wheels starting at lot size one.

CEO Oliver Reimann is pleased with the positive market resonance: “The patented Leifeld WSC Flex takes its place as another innovation in our portfolio. The wheel industry is finally capable of flexibly flow-forming rim profiles that up to now could only be made with expensive tools and increased efforts.”

07.03.2022

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Warm welcome and support for people from Ukraine

07.03.2022

On Sunday, March 6, three buses with about 80 refugees from Ukraine arrived in Ahlen in the morning. In search of an interpreter, our CEO Oliver Reimann and an employee of Dow Chemical started an appeal via WhatsApp in the group of the In|du|strie Kampagne Ahlen. Together with Bernhard Stellmach, Chairman of the Works Council at Leifeld, they were able to win Waldemar Wegner from our mechanical production team as a translator within a few hours. Together with his wife, our Russian-speaking employee showed tireless support and, above all, a lot of human warmth until the evening. Many thanks for this tremendous dedication to people who have lost everything! We are proud of the good network and the helpfulness of many people in Ahlen.

20.07.2021

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10th Anniversary of Leifeld Machinery Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd

20.07.2021

July 20, 2021, this is an ordinary day for other people, but for Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH and Leifeld Machinery Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., it is worthwhile a memorable day.

On July 20, 2011, Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH officially established the only wholly-owned subsidiary in Shanghai Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone, thereby further expanding its domestic influence and sales channels. At the beginning of the company’s establishment, Leifeld appointed one German engineer with more than 20 years of experience to Shanghai subsidiary for technical support, specifically for equipment installation and maintenance services for domestic customers. Throughout the development process of the company Leifeld Machinery Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd has gradually trained domestic engineers in order to provide customers with convenience in terms of communication and on-site support.

In these 10 years, Leifeld Machinery Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has always been working as a professional team, and has won the support and trust of many customers in China. With the aim of providing first-class quality of flow forming and spinning amchine and adhering to the service-oriented concept, we have gradually expanded Leifeld’s domestic sales network and sales areas, so that Leifeld’s equipment can be used in the field of wheels, auto parts, gas cylinders, aerospace, energy, and other industrial applications.

The first 10 years of the establishment of Leifeld Machinery Trading in China laid a solid foundation for the Leifeld brand in China. From now on, we will join hands to enter the second 10 years, and hope that in the second 10 years, we can make our own contributions to the cooperation between Leifeld and Nihon Spindle, and create a harmony of win-win cooperation situation.

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Oliver Reimann, the current CEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH, for his great step and hard work in establishing of Leifeld Machinery Trading ten years ago. We would like to thank Mr. Tianhe Shen, the general manager of Leifeld Machinery Trading, for his leadership and care for the company during these 10 years. We would like to thank all employees of Leifeld Machinery Trading for their dedication and hard work during these 10 years. At the same time, I also would like to thank our customers for their support, trust and companionship to Leifeld brand during these 10 years. We believe that Leifeld Machinery Trading will accompany you to grow together for countless decades.

19.02.2021

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Leifeld donate for children’s clinic

18.02.2021

The “Förderverein Kinderklinik Ahlen e. V.” receives a donation of 810 Euro from the colleagues of the Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH. The proceeds were generated by the auction of Christmas presents that took place in January, organised by the works council. Many thanks to all participants and generous donations. Especially in times of the Corona pandemic, the Association of the Children’s hospital is dependent on donations.

We attach great importance to cordial and respectful interaction with each other. Teamwork in particular is an important part of our daily business. This is also the idea behind the donation: to support a strong team that lovingly and caringly looks after sick children. The donation can bring a smile on the faces of sick children with the help of clowns, toys and handicraft materials. Supporting sick children and their helpers in this way is a matter of the heart for LEIFELD.

18.12.2020

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Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year 2021

18.12.2020

Once again, a year is drawing to a close – and once again we like to thank all our employees, customers and partners for the good cooperation and the successful projects done. We wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the best for a prosperous and happy New Year 2021.
Stay healthy!

13.11.2020

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Change of company name to Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH

2020-10-23

With the publication in the commercial register B 18938 on 23rd October 2020, the district court of Münster confirmed the change of the company name from
Leifeld Metal Spinning AG into Leifeld Metal Spinning GmbH. The new name is effective immediately.

All general terms and conditions of business, sales and delivery conditions as well as bank details remain unchanged. Furthermore, our company address remains unaffected.

Oliver Reimann continues to take the chair of the management board. The members of the management board are Hiroshi Arito, Morihiro Kondo and Hiroyuki Yamamoto.

29.05.2020

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Leifeld Metal Spinning joins Nihon Spindle Manufacturing Group.

2020-05-29

With effect from May 29^th, 2020, Nihon Spindle Manufacturing Co., Ltd. has acquired all the shares of Leifeld Metal Spinning AG. The previous owner is the investor Dr. Georg Kofler. He had been in talks about a possible acquisition with Nihon Spindle, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Heavy Industries Group, since the beginning of last year. The closing has now taken place, after both parties signed the share purchase agreement in October 2019. This strategic integration will strengthen the international competitiveness of both companies, which optimally complement each other with their technologies and market coverage. The brands and company locations will remain unaffected.

Nihon Spindle Manufacturing was founded in 1918 and has its roots in the manufacturing of spindles for the textile industry. Today, the company is known as one of the leading spinning and flow forming machine manufacturers worldwide. The main business areas of the company are industrial machinery, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), as well as environmental technology. “There is no better partner for us than Nihon Spindle Manufacturing,” explains Oliver Reimann, CEO of Leifeld Metal Spinning AG. “I am convinced that this is the right way to lead Nihon Spindle and Leifeld to further growth. Our customers and our employees will both benefit from this collaboration. We are very pleased to combine the strengths of both companies in order to be able to keep on offering our customers new and innovative solutions in the future, and thus clear added value.”

Leifeld Metal Spinning develops and manufactures machine tools for non-cutting, chipless metal forming, and is active worldwide in the automotive industry, aerospace technology, the energy industry, as well as in various consumer and industrial goods sectors. “With Leifeld, we gain an experienced partner with valuable know-how and an exemplary corporate culture. Leifeld’s long tradition provides a stable foundation and a high level of innovative strength, which we now want to reinforce and expand together,” emphasizes Hiroshi Arito, President of Nihon Spindle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Dr. Kofler was the owner and shareholder of Leifeld Metal Spinning AG for twelve years and would like to focus on the media industry once again: “I look back on an instructive time and a particularly successful investment with great affection,” he explains. “My major thanks and respect go to the employees of Leifeld Metal Spinning, who have built up the company’s global technological leadership with their expertise and passionate commitment. I am happy to put Leifeld into competent hands and could not imagine a better partner for the company than Nihon Spindle Manufacturing.”