Kerteminde Site Implements New Investments

Kverneland Group has taken the next step in upgrading its Danish manufacturing site and prepare the setup for future demands. Kverneland Group has decided to invest in challenging times, to continue the strategy of converting Kverneland Group Kerteminde into one of the most modern grassland factories in Europe. A new assembly line setup, based on the Lean principles is among the latest improvements in the ambitious plan.

In 2006 production of Vicon, Kverneland and Deutz-Fahr rakes, tedder and disc mowers were merged into the Kerteminde site, to make it a true competence centre for forage equipment. This consequently meant a significant volume increase and a need for upgrading capacity and flexibility. At the same time Kverneland Group implemented a very ambitious development plan for new disc mowers, where more than 90% of the range has been renewed since 2006.

The recent investment is part of a continued investment plan, where the Kerteminde site has seen a number of unique improvements. During the past 5 years heavy investments have been made to increase capacity, flexibility and quality control. Some of the key investments have been into new laser cutters, welding robots and a new automatic in-house production line for the cutterbars.

This autumn the assembly line for mounted mowers and mower conditioners has been renewed. A hall of 5000m² has been completely renewed and 5 new production lines installed.   This autumn the assembly line for mounted mowers and mower conditioners has been renewed. A hall of 5000m² has been completely renewed and 5 new production lines installed.

The new assembly lines are organised according to the Lean principles, with better flow of material, reduced waste and improved market response. All employees at the new assembly lines have undergone a week of intensive training, focussing on the principles around Lean manufacturing, to prepare them for the new manufacturing methods and increased demands.  

“The 5 new assembly lines provide a very high degree of flexibility in production, and allow easier change between various models” say Claus Udengaard Thomsen, Managing Director of Business Area Forage Equipment.  

“We already now harvest the fruits of our investments” says Claus Udengaard Thomsen and continues “with the excellent order book we have at this moment the new assembly lines are already producing at full speed and since the summer vacation it has been necessary to employ another 100 people in Kerteminde to cope with the increasing demands”.

Kverneland Group Kerteminde in brief: ·  

• Headquarter of the Kverneland Group Business Area Forage Equipment with responsibility of mowers, rakes, tedders, wagons, feeding equipment and bale equipment. Manufacturing site of disc mowers, mower conditioners, tedders and bale choppers.
• Kerteminde is based on the island of Funen in Denmark.
• 50,000 m² covered production area.
• 300 employees.
• Founded in 1877.