PBM reports back from Conex Bänninger’s manufacturing and production facilities in Córdoba and find out why the company believes press-fit jointing is the future.
Located just a few miles from the historic city walls of Córdoba, sits Conex Bänninger’s state-of-the-art production facilities. Established in 1975 due to the plethora of copper mines found in the region, significant recent investment in the factory means that 85% of its processes are now fully automated and allowing for the production of between 40-60 tonnes of raw material a day
The business is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year with the two halves of the Conex Bänninger story having begun in Birmingham and Giessen respectively, finally coming together some 96 years after Carl Bänninger set up his iron foundry in Germany. The parallels between the two in that time, though are clear — with both being at the vanguard of product innovation.
Since their merger under the IBP Group umbrella in 1994, that approach has continued apace and all the more so since IBP’s acquisition by IDD Group in 2011.
The list of product development firsts is considerable: copper-based >B< profile press fittings for heating and plumbing applications; copper iron fittings for high pressure ACR; >B< profile press fittings for ACR; and so it goes on. With 110 years of expertise and 22 billion fittings installed worldwide, it would be easy to focus on past triumphs — but this is very much a forward-looking company.
So, what’s next?
Most installers will be familiar with the Cuprofit range, but this has now been relaunched as >B< Sonic to bring it in line with other products in the manufacturer’s portfolio that carry the >B< marque.
The flame-free copper push-fit plumbing system, first introduced in 1998, is designed to offer significant time saving, while providing a secure, leak-proof joint. It is also demountable and re-usable. Technical advances have enabled the fittings to be modified and simplified, while maintaining the quality of fit.
Flame-free
Speaking of the benefits to installers for turning to flame-free press fittings from more traditional soldering, Dan Wild, Business Unit Director for UK and Ireland, said: “While there are those who still consider press fittings as new, in reality the system been around for a long time. Conex Bänninger first began development of copper alloy press fittings in the 1980s and we introduced the >B< Press range 20 years ago.
“It’s true that some installers who have grown up with brazing as the pipework jointing method continue to favour that system, but we find that once we demonstrate the advantages of flame-free press the overwhelming majority are converted.
“Alongside the fact no hot works permit is needed, that it is safer than brazing and installers can work more easily in confined spaces, perhaps the biggest advantage of press is the certainty it offers when planning an installation. Once initial preparation is done, it takes just five seconds to complete a joint, and that is repeatable time and again. It means contractors can plan with greater confidence, whereas brazing is slower and harder to predict.
“An initial outlay on a press tool and jaws is required, but the cost is recovered relatively quickly because of the increase in productivity.”
For more information on Conex Bänninger’s heritage and range of products, visit https://www.youtube.com/user/ConexBanninger to see videos on the firm’s YouTube channel.
