Industry News

In Latvia, Lesjöfors has launched a new manufacturing plant, which is already in full swing and exceeding the company’s expectations. The well planned, highly sustainable facility is optimised not only for a streamlined production, but also for a healthy work environment.

Lesjöfors AB is the largest spring manufacturing company in the Baltics and the new factory of 11,300m2 in Liepāja combines all Lesjöfors’ manufacturing of springs, gas springs and pressings in Latvia.

Previously there were six different manufacturing buildings in two locations, but the new location concentrates this all into one location. To have all manufacturing under one roof brings many advantages. “The manufacturing rooms are all carefully designed to meet the diverse needs that different spring type production requires. During the relocation process, the management’s focus was to keep only the latest machinery on the market to assure

high-quality products. The project team also worked hard to streamline process flows as well as material logistics,” explains Ingars Jaunzems, managing director of Lesjöfors Springs LV.

Smooth building process

The building process went beyond all expectations, with the contractors handing over the keys six months before schedule. The relocation process, from several different addresses into the new premises, was also surprisingly smooth. “Some of the most important and busy machines were turned off for only two hours before they were back in business in the new factory,” says Ingars. “Our turnover or delivery precision were not affected at all by the moving process and there was no need for employee downtime planning either. Everyone involved made extraordinary efforts to make this happen.”

Sustainability in focus

In the planning process of the new building, the project team had Lesjöfors’ sustainability goals in focus at all times. Every detail in the factory was important to increase productivity, save energy and reduce transportation. There are also coordination benefits to having an integrated manufacturing unit, which also add to the sustainability objectives.

“Our new, updated machinery that replaced the old machines is also an important step for us to be not only more productive but also more environmental friendly. We are very happy that Lesjöfors’ management team understands the great potential here and believe in us. The Latvian team is now more than ready to take on new business and advanced spring projects,” concludes Ingars.