New paint shop for the Belgian factory of DAF
Daf announced an investment of 100 million euros in a new paint shop in the Westerlo factory in Belgium. Being 25 000 m², this paint shop is destined to be the most modern in the world.
The current factory of Westerlo has 2 150 employees and produces 500 axles and 200 cabs per day. The new paint shop is 144 metres long, 58 meters wide and 26 meters high. The first cab to leave this new paint shop is set for the first half of 2017.
Innovative and ecological technologies
Innovative solutions will improve the quality and efficiency but also preserve the environment. Among those solutions, ultra-modern paint robots will be used with so-called ‘bells’ which reduce the off-target spray. These robots speed up to 50 000 revs/min and follows the cab's contour with extreme precision. Thus, the paint and solvent use are reduced.
In order to clean the air going out of the cabs, the air is condensed so that is contains an important quantity of solvents, which automatically burns at 700°/800°. This technique also reduces the CO2 emissions and helps the creation of water on the outside of the chimney.
An important investment for Daf and their employees
With this investment of 100 million euros, Daf aims at increasing the truck demand in Europe in order for their market share to go from 14.8% to 20% in the 16-ton and more industrial vehicle industry. The investment represents a 50% growth of the current production capacity of the factory.
To highlight the importance of this investment, Harrie Schippers, CEO of Daf says : " The new cab paint shop is required for further growth both inside and outside Europe. Obviously, the investment of EUR 100 million in a new paint shop is also good news for the more than 2,000 DAF employees in Westerlo. It illustrates DAF’s confidence in the future of its plant in Belgium. "
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