Innovative Trends

Innovative Trends.

KRAL AG is a market leader in the specialised area of pump and flowmeter technology. Founded in 1950, KRAL remains family-owned, and today the Austria-based company is organised in four business units - Pumps, Flow Measurement, Fluid Handling Solutions and Services.

Thomas Flauger, marketing director at KRAL AG, gives more of an introduction to the company: “Over the years it has been in business, KRAL has developed from a handicraft enterprise to an industrial, global firm,” he said. “It now manufactures 3-Screw Pumps and 2-Screw Flowmeters, both of which are designed for liquids.

“Based on its experience with pumps, several years ago KRAL was the first company that launched a complete flowmeter series based on the screw-spindle principle. Furthermore, KRAL was the first manufacturer that introduced a hermitically-sealed, magnetically-coupled 3-Screw Pump.”

The company’s high quality pumps, pump modules and flowmeters are well established in the marine, power generation, oil and gas, chemical and machine building industries. Specifically in the shipping sector, KRAL is strongly focused on creating products that address current marine regulations and reduce ship-operating costs. “We understand these areas are a burden on superintendents, fleet managers and inspectors,” said Thomas. “So for instance, we redesigned our pump and pump-double-station programme completely to meet the new ECA low sulphur regulations. We can also assist ship owners in deciding if the installed pump equipment is suitable for their requirements.”

He added: “Our main customers for solutions such as this are burner manufacturers like Alfa Laval Aalborg, engine manufacturers like MAN, booster module manufacturers like Westfalia, pump package suppliers like Behrens Pumps and power plant manufacturers like Hitachi.”

KRAL focuses its research and development activities on the three areas of pumps, flow measurement and fluid handling solutions and its new products are based on both years of working practice and state-of-the-art innovation. For example, in flowmeters the company has recently introduced a major improvement regarding the installation and start-up of its fuel consumption measurement system (FCM). One major client has already discovered its benefits - DFDS Seaways has equipped three of its RO-PAX ships (Dover, Delft and Dunkerque-Seaways) with fuel consumption measurement technology from KRAL.

In each ship the consumption of all four main motors, the power generation units and two of the burners are measured. Each fuel consumption measuring system has a BEM 500 electronic indication unit fitted locally.

The information of all nine consumption measuring systems is transferred to the bridge and displayed by the KRAL BEM 800 FCM. KRAL believes this system bridges the gap between fuel consumption measurement and advanced visualization. The system integrates the highly accurate KRAL Volumeter, BEM 500 electronics, onboard GPS data and speed for a precise evaluation of the fuel usage per hour and distance. It also includes a number of analytical and statistical tools.

The above contract further illustrates the blue-chip clientele that works with KRAL, and Thomas also emphasized that the company is keen to work closely with customers to ensure the perfect solution is designed and implemented. He said: “This is especially true when it comes to new regulations like the previously mentioned ECA low sulphur regulation or if special technical requirements need to be achieved.”

He went on to explain the benefits of working closely with clients: “The more problems there are in the market, the more solutions are required from KRAL and its competition. Therefore it’s crucial for every company to establish a process that ensures they are researching the real-world problems customers are facing. In other words, the question is ‘how can we help our customers to handle the problems caused by market and legal changes.’ This is very important for KRAL.”

Thomas went on to highlight some changes the company has made to address current trading conditions: “To operate successfully in a market environment of reduced price acceptance, periods of financial crisis and stronger regulations, it was necessary for the company to optimise its internal processes and its manufacturing quality as well as the cost-saving design of its products. As a result, KRAL has doubled its production area to 5000 m², implemented a new ERP programme from Navision, and introduced a total quality management (TQM) system.”

He added: “In addition to the technical side, customers find KRAL likeable, and it’s been revealed that friendliness and good co-operation achieve the highest values in customer satisfaction surveys, which makes them important success factors. Achieving the right combination of all these qualities results in professional and dedicated work across all fields of the company.”

After six decades in business, the name KRAL has come to represent quality, innovation and a quick response anytime and anywhere in the world. Thomas concluded with what he believes are the real foundations of the company are: “The most respected corporate groups operating worldwide are counted among KRAL’s customers, and such companies need strong, dependable partners. KRAL is still owner-led and the strong management forms the basis of a solid market presence. In addition, being a family corporation assures customers that when they go into business with KRAL they will have a committed, co-operative partner for many years.

“But overall, the human being is always at the centre of operations. Success is the result of good relationships between KRAL’s employees, its customers and suppliers.”

For additional information, visit:

Press release:

KRAL AG

Bildgasse 40

Industrie Nord

6890 Lustenau

Austria

Tel.: +43 / 5577 / 8 66 44-0

e-mail:

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