The group is launching the Bars machine specifically for Russia

The group is launching the Bars machine specifically for Russia

Demag Plastics Group is launching a machine specifically for the Russian market and hopes to be assembling 100 machines a year in the country within 12 months. The German firm will premiere the Bars model at Interplastica in Moscow next month. The initial model, based on the standard Demag platform, will have a clamping force of 150 t.

Joint executive managing director Professor Helmar Franz said the model will be priced to head off competition from Asian manufacturers. He cited preliminary figures showing Asian firms’ position in the Russian market had grown in 2003 from their 64% share in 2002. Approximately 900 machines were sold in Russia in 2002.

Demag has formed a strategic alliance with Russian firm Vostok, which will assemble machines to customer specification on behalf of Demag. Best known as a watch manufacturer, Vostok will base its assembly at Chistopol, 200km north of Samara in central Russia. Franz expected the plant to be making 100 machines a year by this time next year.