Who’s the customer?
Desicor is a leading Portuguese company. After initial success in the cork sector, the company expanded into other areas such as cookware, frames, doors lined with decorative paper and lacquered furniture components. Since 2000, it has specialised in the manufacture of furniture and decorative panels. Its high-quality furnishing components make the company a market stand-out. Desicor manufactures over 40,000 pieces a week and exports 99.8% of them worldwide via its Oneskin brand.
The Challenge
In 2021, Desicor was looking to upgrade its production line by adding a new roller coating line to the company's machine pool, which already included machines from 2000, 2005 and 2012. The purpose of the new roller line was to obtain high-quality finishes.[1] To achieve this, it was essential to integrate state-of-the-art roller coating technologies with those already in use, which included solutions supplied by Cefla and others.
The Cefla Finishing solution
To achieve this, Cefla Finishing installed a Smartcoater-Pro in the final section of the production line. This approach allowed Desicor to integrate new technology without having to replace all the existing machines, some of which were more than 20 years’ old. This amalgamation thus ensured an effective and timely upgrade of the production system.
Results
The new finishing line consists of heterogeneous solutions that operate together seamlessly, ensuring productivity, efficiency and outstanding quality. A range of technologies, latest-generation machines and Cefla solutions developed 20 years ago, still working perfectly: all of these have been merged to create a high-performance line that delivers flexible colour changeovers without any interruption to production.
Desicor merges past and present in a cutting-edge production line
"Our challenge was to combine long-standing coating technologies with their ultra-modern counterparts to create an integrated, flexible system. Close collaboration with Desicor allowed us to meet - and exceed - expectations, creating a finishing line that offers the best of both worlds.”
Roberto Sorbini - Product Manager at Cefla Finishing
Desicor merges past and present on a cutting-edge coating line, demonstrating that a combination of tradition and innovation can be the key to surface finishing excellence.
The idea of innovating an entire production line can be daunting, especially when it might involve the replacement of still-efficient technologies to accommodate innovation. The Desicor case study teaches us a valuable lesson: with the appropriate technologies and the right partner, it’s possible to bring out the best in 20-year-old machines by integrating them into a new, ultra-modern, high-efficiency plant.
The long-term reliability of Cefla solutions
Pedro Ramos, Director of Process Engineering at Desicor, knows that Cefla-supplied solutions have proven to be extremely reliable over time, making them Desicor's preferred choice for production line upgrades. Machines that date back to the 2000s (and have been working non-stop since) are still running efficiently and precisely, demonstrating the solidity and excellence of Cefla engineering. The durability of Cefla machines doesn’t just maintain high productivity, minimise machine downtime and maximise ROI: it also also guarantees long-lasting plant scalability, even after many years.
The new Desicor finishing line combines past and present
With the insertion of the new machine into the Cefla roller coating line (a Smartcoater-Pro, added in 2021), Desicor has significantly improved the finishing quality of its output. This addition interconnects with the existing machines seamlessly, optimising workflow and effectively combining older technologies with the latest innovations. Integration of modern technologies and older solutions has created a success story that underlines the importance of blending tradition with innovation to achieve exceptional results. This synergy has led to higher finished product quality, strengthening Desicor's position as a surface finishing leader.
The value of Cefla Finishing's people
Pedro Ramos highlighted the importance of personal relationships with the Cefla team. Trust and close collaboration with the sales staff ensured effective communication, allowing for fast implementation of modifications and the development of made-to-measure solutions.
The Director also highlighted the professionalism and experience of Cefla’s technicians, defining them as crucial technological innovation partners: confirmation that Cefla's true strength lies in its people, whose skills and fast response times meet - and exceed - customer expectations. “I wish to express my sincere thanks to Cefla for having built such a solid partnership with us”, concluded Pedro Ramos.
Future-focused, together
Looking to the future, Desicor and Cefla have shared innovation and growth goals. New projects will see Desicor further enrich the offering of its Oneskin brand by adding new colours to the 20 already made on the production line. This expansion of the colour range underscores the unending quest for diversification and customisation that are the hallmark of Desicor's approach to the market.
Additionally, the company aims to continue investing in technology, with a sharp focus on technological innovation and environmental sustainability. That commitment is exemplified by the decision to convert from traditional UV lamps to LED lamps, a significant move towards more environment-friendly, energy-efficient production. In addition to reducing the environmental impact of the production line, this transition will enhance efficiency and lower costs.
"I hope that the partnership with Cefla continues for many years to come, allowing us to continue innovating and providing solutions of outstanding quality, flexibility, sustainability and productivity.”
Pedro Ramos - Process Engineering Manager at Desicor
