Press Release: Opening of new production facility

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PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Latkova vas, 11 July 2024

A New Milestone for Uniforest: Opening of New Advanced Manufacturing Facility

Latkova vas, 11 July 2024; Uniforest, d.o.o. opened the doors of its new advanced production facility on Thursday 11 July 2024. This event, which more than 500 guests attended, marked an important step in the company's technological development.

The varied program for the opening of the newly built advanced production facility, ably moderated by Bernarda Žarn and Franci Podbrežnik, started with a speech by the CEO of Uniforest, d.o.o., Drago Pintar: »Your presence is seen as invaluable support because this day is of special importance to us at Uniforest. It symbolizes the culmination of our work, perseverance, and constant strive for innovation and progress. It is a milestone that does not happen every day, and it is therefore with a special feeling that we add it to the Uniforest story.«

The participation of prominent representatives of the local community confirmed that this is a step in the right direction. Just before the button was pressed and the new production hall was lit, the Mayor of the Municipality of Žalec, Janko Kos, who has been following Mr Pintar's entrepreneurial journey since the company was founded, addressed the gathering: "My sincere congratulations on another outstanding acquisition. Uniforest has long since outgrown Slovenia's borders, and yet you remain humble and with your feet on the ground. If we had more entrepreneurs and companies like this, we would be even better off. Hats off to all these achievements. We are stronger hand in hand and I believe you will be full of ideas and good plans in the future." At the festive moment, the Director was joined on stage by the Mayor of Žalec, Janko Kos, Aleksander Reberšek, Member of the Slovenian Parliament, Tjaša Skočaj Klančnik, Director of the Municipal Administration of Prebold Municipality, and Branko Verk, Vice-Mayor of Prebold Municipality. The encouraging wishes for the future were followed by the blessing of the building by Sreček Hren, priest of the Prebold parish.

Advanced manufacturing facility with an advanced and sustainable solutions and optimal space utilization

The advanced manufacturing facility covers an area of 4500 m². To accommodate future production expansion, another 1000 m² of space is available on the landing, which currently houses a small area of technical space and air-conditioning. The northern part of the facility will be used for laser cutting, bending, and sheet metal working, as well as manual and robotic welding. A high-speed automatic warehouse with 420 pallet places will be available for the storage of sheet metal. Depending on the cutting plan, the sheet metal will automatically arrive from the warehouse to the laser for sheet metal cutting. After cutting, the sheet metal will be sorted and subsequently bent on 2 bending machines operated by an operator. During the afternoon or night shift, when there are fewer people in production, the automation on the laser will be able to send the cut sheet metal back to the high-speed warehouse. The cut material can be taken out of the warehouse at any time and the heavier pieces will be bent on the robotic bending cell.

When the material is ready for welding, it will be brought into the welding shop by the commission agents in racks with pull-out shelves prepared for this purpose. The entire welding shop is covered by overhead cranes, which will allow for easier and faster material handling. In the welding room, the items will first be manually joined and then robotically welded on six Yaskawa robotic cells. 2 cells will be new and 4 will be moved from the existing facility. The fume extraction needs will be taken care of by an Aigner ventilation system. Fresh air will be blown into the hall utilizing floor diffusers, which will lift the flue gases, which will be extracted using an extraction system. On hot summer days, the same system will also be used to cool the hall. If this is not enough, the new facility also has a ground cooling system and heating in winter.

More than 30 years of creating and developing a company with a constantly growing team of dedicated employees

"As if it were today, I remember in 1998 how we were looking forward to opening our first premises in Dobriša vas. 26 years later, we are opening the doors of a brand new advanced manufacturing facility that I am convinced is ushering in a new, modern era for the company. It opens the door to technological development, to advanced, digital, and sustainable processes. A door to a better future for all. This facility will allow us to achieve maximum productivity and a high level of flexibility, which is crucial for a successful business today," the CEO recalled the beginnings of the company and thanked the broader interdisciplinary team of employees for more than 30 years of cooperation: "But all that we see today would not exist without you, dear colleagues, who, with hard work, perseverance, ingenuity and a great deal of initiative, make the company a success. I entered entrepreneurship with enthusiasm, and I am truly glad that I have been able to pass this on to you, who, each in their own field, are achieving your maximum. I always say out loud that the greatest added value of the company is you, all the employees, and all your knowledge and other competencies."

With a competent team of interdisciplinary employees, anything can be overcome, even the most difficult challenges, and expand their work into new areas. "The first breakthrough for the company was the expansion of the range from classic hydraulic winches to PROFI series, which we have recently upgraded to the new GX line presented today. Another very important breakthrough was the step into the field of firewood processors, with which we have set ourselves and successfully met many challenges. Working with forestry machinery is demanding and, if not used properly or with the wrong equipment, dangerous. That's why in the Uniforest's R&D department, we follow the principles of making our machines user-friendly and safe right from the design phase," said Marko Polak, Head of Development. Ensuring high standards of machine safety and ease of use is a daily challenge, but one that he and his team have successfully overcome.

High-quality forestry machinery for professional use is the result of their development based on market requirements, sold in more than 40 countries around the world, with 22 patents in force (including 2 European patents) and numerous awards to confirm the high usability, safety, and efficiency of their forestry machinery. Every year they bring home at least one medal from AGRA, but they are most proud of their three international industrial design awards, the German Design Award.

To conclude with the company's vision: "Safety first. We do what is right: for customers, for the environment, for society, for people, and for the economy." Uniforest d.o.o. believes that the future lies in knowledge and innovation, which is why it works with schools and colleges and offers apprenticeships. They are also happy to support various local associations and organizations and have partnered with local suppliers to organize the event. They recognize the importance of community involvement in the form of donations and sponsorships to non-profit organizations in the immediate area. They are also a proud sponsor of Slovenian surfer Tim Mastnak and talented young chess player Matic Nareks, who they have been following with great pride since the beginning of their sporting careers.

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