SEAM stands for ‘Sustainable European Abrasives Manufacturer’ and Heger is proud to be one of the first diamond tool manufacturers to receive SEAM certification. Energy and waste management, social engagement in communities as well as anti-discrimination efforts regarding the company’s international workforce, are some of the key indicators Heger set as targets to address. One highlight of this approach is its photovoltaic power plant, and even though Covid caused disruption throughout Europe, Heger invested to reduce its fossil energy consumption, with the 200kW peak installation saving roughly 100t of CO² per year. 

High quality products and innovation continues to drive the company, with its ‘Titan Wave’ shape on cutting blades delivering outstanding results. The company began developing floor sawing cured concrete, expanded to asphalt and wall sawing and is developing systems for green concrete applications capable of 15m/min for what the company says are lifetime results. In the field of green concrete speed and reliability are essential for the job as any joints must be straight and cut in time to avoid cracking while the concrete is curing. For wall sawing the second generation is already on its way with an improved steel core design producing even faster cutting, with the more m2 cut per day the greater the profitability for cutters. If the efficiency of cutting can be improved so significantly, the price of the diamond tool is not a key factor in the equation. Very soon the ‘Turbo Wave Drill’ will be launched, with selected customers currently working with the ‘Zero Series’ to collect final results to fine tune the compositions’ into an industry bench mark. 

Further complicating matters is that the coronavirus pandemic has caused problems to the global supply chain, with the steel market especially being subject to increased prices and long delivery times. However, thanks to Heger’s ‘buy local philosophy’, the company is still able to serve its customers in a fast and reliable way, with the logistics team striving to get the required parts on time. Heger’s workshop has increased its flexibility to adjust material in stock to meet market demand, with the good relationships it has developed with local carriers leading to timely shipments, even overnight when required, with reliability and flexibility being the key factors. 

There are more challenges however to be faced as more and more metal powders and elements are seen as critical by European institutions. Sophisticated production processes protect Heger’s workforce, with new people employed to specifically take care of safety and health related issues. Heger is investing to keep its European production safe, healthy and sustainable. The company further has committed to keep production in Europe, choosing to adapt to conditions and not move production to places where there are less stringent regulations and importance given to working conditions or protection of the environment.

To keep in tune with market trends and regulatory developments companies must be able to act in a timely manner. Therefore, Heger is an active member of the most important associations in the abrasives industry. Heger has oSa certified safety standards for its products, and manufactures according to the EN13236 safety standard. It further participates in standard revisions to keep track on all developments ensuring that whatever is manufactured follows those standards, with everything being focused on safety and sustainability.

Markets and people change, but the construction industry moves on, with the backlog caused by the pandemic, and its after affects, resulting in urgently needed European infrastructure work that is keeping Heger busy. Heger is proud to be adapting to the increased emphasis placed on sustainability, environment, health and safety, and a work life balance. It has accepted and adapted to the challenges these developments have placed on it, and has embraced the future as a proud European manufacturer.

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