Coperion Celebrates 280 Years of Material Handling Innovation Across Three Global Sites
Coperion, a prominent global entity in material handling, is celebrating a remarkable collective achievement this year, commemorating a total of 280 years of operational excellence across three of its key facilities. This significant milestone underscores the company's long-standing dedication to innovation and quality in the bulk material handling and feeding sectors, reflecting decades of pioneering advancements and strategic global expansion.
Two of Coperion's long-standing operations are marking their 125th anniversaries: the material handling business located in Weingarten, Germany, and the feeder and conveying equipment manufacturing plant in Niederlenz, Switzerland. Concurrently, Coperion Ideal, situated in Noida, India, is observing its 30th year of successful operation. These anniversaries highlight the diverse contributions and sustained growth of the company's various divisions.
The Weingarten facility has been at the forefront of bulk material handling for 125 years. Initially, Coperion's forerunner, Waeschle, concentrated on the pneumatic transfer of grain and flour. Over time, the company broadened its expertise to encompass plastics handling in the 1950s. Presently, this facility boasts capabilities in processing more than 20,000 distinct bulk materials, offering comprehensive solutions in conveying, homogenization, separation, heating, and cooling processes. The site specializes in designing and implementing complete turnkey systems for the compounding industry and manufactures essential components such as rotary valves, diverter valves, and slide-gate valves.
In Niederlenz, Switzerland, Coperion K-Tron also observes its 125th year of operation. Established originally as J. Soder Company, focusing on grain milling machinery, this facility has been instrumental in advancing feeding technology. Its pioneering achievements include the introduction of the first volumetric feeder in the early 20th century, the innovative twin-screw feeder in the 1950s, the integration of digital weighing technology during the 1970s, and the development of the SmartConnex control system in 2003.
Coperion Ideal, based in India, was founded in 1995 as a collaborative venture in Noida. Its initial mission was to cater to the Indian petrochemical sector. Today, the facility delivers advanced bulk material handling and additive feeding systems, providing comprehensive services that span design, engineering, project management, manufacturing, and after-sales support for markets across India and Southeast Asia. Umesh Verma, the managing director, played a crucial role in partnering with Coperion's predecessor, Waeschle, to establish this facility. It began by producing vital components like slide gate valves, diverter valves, and pressure vessels, laying the groundwork for its current expansive operations.
Ulrich Bartel, Coperion's president and CEO, expressed immense pride in these milestones, stating that the three anniversaries represent the company's unwavering commitment to excellence in material handling. He emphasized that Coperion's material handling and feeding competencies have each reached an impressive 125-year mark, while Coperion India's 30th anniversary signifies a journey of continuous innovation and expansion.
Markus Parzer, president of the Performance Materials Division at Coperion, further highlighted that these anniversaries collectively represent 280 years of unparalleled expertise, groundbreaking innovation, and steadfast dedication. He attributed these successes to the relentless efforts, ingenuity, and passion demonstrated by the talented teams throughout the organization. Parzer reiterated Coperion's enduring commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that empower customers and propel industry progress.
Coperion's global footprint is managed through three primary divisions: Performance Materials, Food, Health & Nutrition, and Aftermarket Sales & Service. The company employs over 5,000 individuals across more than 50 sales and service locations worldwide, operating as a key subsidiary of Hillenbrand. This structure enables Coperion to maintain its leadership position and continue its legacy of innovation in diverse industrial sectors.
