UNEX Slovakia: A new welding machine has been installed in Snina; the paint shop for large welded fabrications has been completed
Uničov, March 31, 2009
UNEX Slovakia, a subsidiary of the UNEX engineering-metallurgical complex, has finished the construction of a new hall at its plant in Snina, which will enable the surface treatment of large dimension and high tonnage parts to be carried out. Trial production at the new unit commenced immediately.
The new paint shop, with a blast cabinet and three painting booths equipped with state-of-the-art technology, makes it possible to provide the complete surface treatment of up to 53,000 m2 of surfaces per year. The new 
facility will be capable of running the complete anti-corrosion surface treatment of welded
parts with maximum dimensions of 5.5 x 7.0 x 33 meters (45 meters for pneumatic blasting) and weighing up to 50 tons.
The new surface treatment unit fulfills all the hygienic and ecological requirements in compliance with the strictest EU standards and will provide new jobs for 22 workers. This represents an investment of CZK 56 million.
New machine
As a part of the modernization and development of the Snina plant production facilities, a mechanized welding facility based on modern MOTOMAN technology for welding parts and sub-assemblies was installed last year. Three workplaces for mechanized welding have mainly been used for the mass production of welded fabrications.
With the introduction of mechanized welding, Unex Slovakia has eliminated monotonous manual welding and improved the visual quality of the finished welds. The efficiency of the manufacturing processes has also improved.
The mechanized facility requires workers with a higher level of skill: Apart from a basic knowledge of welding, they also need programming skills for controlling the mechanized facility. This represents an investment of more than CZK 6 million.
These investments have increased the safety of employees and are environmentally-friendly.
Both investments have significantly decreased the ecological burden from production. As a result, the Snina plant of UNEW Slovakia has successfully acquired an ISO14001:2004 certificate (EMS – Environmental Management System, a system of management respecting the protection of the environment). Preparations are currently well advanced for acquiring work safety certification in accordance with OHSAS 18001:2007, which is to take place at the end of March, 2009.
