News from the IFO

At the joint summer party organised by the partner companies IFO Institut für Oberflächentechnik GmbH and QUBUS Planung und Beratung Oberflächentechnik GmbH on 23 June 2017, the moment had finally arrived: the second laboratory extension to the IFO’s now completed Laboratory Competence Centre was officially opened. IFO – Institut für Oberflächentechnik GmbH, based in Schwäbisch Gmünd, is expanding its premises with this 350-square-metre extension, following the completion of the first extension – housing a modern corrosion laboratory and an electroplating test facility – at the end of 2013. Laboratory 2 now also houses facilities for determining residual contamination on components, coating tests for gas and oil pipelines, corrosion tests and climatic tests. A 3,000-litre test chamber will also enable the testing of particularly large components and assemblies there. „With this expansion, we will be able to offer our customers enhanced capabilities in the field of climatic cycling and corrosion protection testing in future,“ said Marc Holz, IFO Managing Director. In his opening speech, he expressed his gratitude for the smooth completion of the second expansion and reflected on the company’s successful 22-year history, during which the affiliated companies IFO and QUBUS have operated worldwide as leading service providers for businesses in the surface technology and metalworking sectors.

In May, the Quali Middle East Association (QMEA) held a seminar in Dubai on the topic of „Safe and Efficient Powder Coating Process“. The event, which was organised and held with the support of Albertus de Boer of IFO Middle East – who is responsible for training and seminars at QMEA – was attended by 71 interested participants from the aluminium industry. In addition to the technical presentations, many participants welcomed the opportunity to gather ideas for their own work processes and to exchange technical expertise during the event.

The Quali Middle East Association (QMEA) is the general licence holder for the QUALICOAT, QUALANOD and QUALIDECO quality marks in the Middle East. A key objective of the association’s work is to provide and promote established quality standards and best manufacturing practices in order to ensure high-quality coatings on aluminium and aluminium surfaces.

Under this motto, we’ll be taking part on 27 April 2017 and organising our first Girls’ Day for curious girls in our laboratories. In this way, the IFO – Institute for Surface Technology Ltd To spark an interest in new areas of work.

On 24 and 25 March, a two-day training course organised by the Chinese quality association Qualisino took place in Hangzhou.

At the training event, Mr Holz, Chair of Qualisurfal and Co-Managing Director of the IFO Institute for Surface Technology, Ms Li Yan, a Qualisino representative, and Mr Ding and Mr Crane from the IFO testing laboratory, shared their expertise on quality assurance in surface finishing processes through a series of specialist presentations and case studies.

The 52 participants used the time between the presentations and technical papers to engage in a lively exchange of experiences and information. After the event, all participants were able to gain an insight into day-to-day laboratory operations during a tour of IFO China’s laboratories, where testing equipment and laboratory methods were presented in detail.

QUALISINO is the general licensee in China for the internationally recognised quality marks QUALICOAT and QUALANOD.

Modern architecture combines a wide variety of materials and surfaces. To preserve the building’s aesthetic appeal and ensure its protection, regular maintenance and cleaning of the premises by cleaning companies is required. The use of the correct cleaning products plays a crucial role in this regard. In this context, the protective effect of the adhesive tapes used during cleaning is also of particular importance. This article outlines the findings of a recent research project.

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The advanced training seminar for in-house care coordinators took place on the premises of Qubus and IFO. The training course on in-house care expertise was organised by the familyNET corporate network, which is supported by the employers" association Südwestmetall. During the half-day training session, the participating care coordinators received important guidance and inspiration for their future work. "Through the regular seminars offered to care coordinators, the topics of care and family-friendly corporate structures are firmly embedded within the organisation,” said Nicole Kässer, commercial director and qualified care coordinator at IFO and QUBUS. The care coordinators act as points of contact for employees providing care, offering help and support in balancing care responsibilities with their careers. Further information on the care coordinator model is available at www.familynet-bw.de

QUALISTEELCOAT has published version 4.0 of its specification. Over 80 certified coating plants in 12 countries now hold this label, and around 100 coating systems from 25 material manufacturers have been approved. The main aim of the new version was to improve its structure and readability. In addition, further coating systems have been included and an appendix on the implementation of EN 1090 has been added. The English version of the specification is available on the website www.qualisteelcoat.net, the German version at www.qib-online.de Available for download.

They are quite large, colourful and highly sought-after collector’s items – once again this year, the management handed out Ritzenhoff’s colourful designer coffee mugs to the staff at QUBUS and IFO in Schwäbisch Gmünd. For several years now, staff have been delighted by this lovely gesture at Christmas time, and every year there is great anticipation as to which of the many mug designs is hidden inside the decorative box.

Construction work on the new laboratory extension to the Qubus and IFO office building is already well advanced and progressing smoothly, meaning that nothing stands in the way of it becoming operational in early 2017. Some rooms in the main building, which adjoin the new extension and have been refurbished to accommodate the expanded laboratory administration, have already been completed and occupied. Work is proceeding at full speed on the new extension itself and on the external façade so that the new laboratories for residual contamination analysis on components, coating tests for gas and oil pipelines, and corrosion and climatic testing can begin operations on schedule.

The management of Qubus GmbH and Ifo GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd has granted power of attorney to the Head of Commercial Administration, Nicole Kässer.

Nicole Kässer has been responsible for the joint management of the two closely interlinked companies since 2007. For the past four years, she has headed up the commercial division of the owner-managed surface technology service provider and is responsible in particular for the organisation, management and oversight of the entire commercial division, as well as for costing, controlling and budgeting.

„The companies“ steady growth made it necessary to adapt and strengthen the management structures and areas of responsibility in line with this development. However, by appointing her as an authorised signatory, we also wish to recognise Ms Kässer’s significant managerial responsibility and her associated high level of commitment to the company. We are delighted that Nicole Kässer is joining our management team,” said Michael Müller, Managing Director of the Ifo – Institute for Surface Technology.

The managing partners of both companies, on behalf of the entire organisation, warmly congratulated their new authorised signatory on her appointment.