Automation offensive at mbk bears already fruit

In 1961, Georg Pfender started with a small mechanical turning shop and laid the foundation of today’s mbk Maschinenbau. When, some time later in the 1960s, the reinforced concrete pipe was brought to the market in Germany, the first cage welding machine of Pfender was developed and represented a milestone, establishing the basis for a successful company. Under the management of Mario Pfender in the third generation, today, mbk has evolved to a leading manufacturer of welding machines and equipment for the production of reinforcement in the construction and precast concrete industries.

With more than 60 years of experience, subsidiaries in the USA and Russia as well as a worldwide workforce of 120 people, mbk has advanced to become a global player. The company stands for quality “made in Germany”, ensured by qualified personnel, an up-to-date engineering and development department as well as an obtained ISO 9001 certification.

Precision machines for the reinforcement production and optimized automation solutions

The wide product range of mbk comprises ultra-modern welding machines for several applications in the construction and precast concrete industries. The company is currently presenting individually customizable automation solutions, which not only ensure outstanding performance, but also a minimum level of manpower requirement.

  For the production of precast concrete elements the focus is on machines such as the DRA wire straightening and cutting machine with integrated double bender, the MSM series of mesh welding machines as well as the BSM cage welding machine. Each of these machine types is available in different sizes and versions and is provided with a quite extensive portfolio for automation. This ranges from the simple stand-alone machine up to the fully automated version, being integrated in the production process. At mbk this involves the close cooperation with the customers to meet their specific needs, working out a solution together with the engineering and development department and implementing the machine accordingly.

 In the near future, mbk will present the new DSM, a COBOT solution for automated welding of individual products. The DSM uses a collaborative robot in combination with an inert-gas welding unit and offers a very simple and intuitive user programming. The machine can be used flexibly in the precast concrete plant as well as at reinforcement steel and bending factories.

Moreover, at the Kisslegg location, mbk focuses on the training of skilled workers, with regularly employing eight to ten apprentices, and has achieved an excellent reputation as training workplace in the region. The regional anchoring also plays a decisive role as far as the product quality is concerned, with every machine at mbk being only handed over to the customer after a successful test run.

Michael Raich, Sales Director at mbk, points out the importance of the regional anchoring and the quality standard: “We not only provide high-quality machines, but also proactive after sales and spare part services, in order to ensure a long machine operating time by preventive maintenance.” With a new internet presence, that went online in January 2024, mbk takes another step towards a successful future in the global market for welding machines and automation solutions. And the continuous optimization of the production processes highlights the innovative power and future viability of the company.