The total investment amount in 2024 for the development of the Riga factory is more than 3 million EUR. Almost half of the amount – approximately 1.7 million EUR – will be invested in the purchase of heavy machinery, buying excavators and their equipment for both the quarry and the factory. Considerable improvements and investments in the plasterboard workshop are also planned, for example, the purchase of online scales designed to control the weight of wet boards. Also, a new LIMAB system will be purchased, which controls the dimensions of the plasterboards on the line – width, thickness, etc. – in the entire cross-section for non-contact measurements of defects.
We will also purchase a vacuum lifting device for the plasterboard sawing section, which will make the work more efficient – it used to take two colleagues, but now it can be done more productively by just one.
As you know, safety is our number one priority, so it is only logical that more than EUR 200,000 have been invested in occupational safety with the aim of raising the Safety Level Index from 79% to 82%. When it comes to raising the safety level, one cannot fail to mention the purchase of specific stairs for the entire factory, which allows to significantly reduce the risks of possible falls and injuries.
A large part of the investment will be directed to the Gypsum Dry Mix, Lime Cement and Gypsum Boiler workshops, where a new centralised dust extraction system will be introduced. Installation of high-speed gates is also planned in these workshops. This will save heat in winter and reduce draughts in summer, helping to maintain a good climate in the warehouse.
Other significant improvements are also expected at the lime-cement plant, with approximately EUR 800,000 being invested for the installation of fine particle mills. Grinding limestone in the mill will produce powder that can be used in the production of Ready mix and Fugenfuller, and demand from potential partners outside Knauf is expected. The project is labour-intensive and large, but this way we will ensure the production of the components we need ourselves and save the cost of purchasing them from external service providers.
In turn, a special device will be installed in the crusher, so that in case of blockages, stones can be lifted out of the crushing mechanism, which is currently a human task, thus improving both occupational safety and the working environment and conditions.
Almost EUR 70,000 was also invested in the restoration and replacement of laboratory equipment and facilities. On the other hand, improvements are expected in the quarry along with the purchase of new heavy machinery and a hydraulic hammer. At the same time, in order to improve security, so that unauthorised persons do not enter the territory, both quarries are surrounded by a fence, investing approximately EUR 60,000 in these works.
The investments made will contribute to the safety of employees, as well as significantly increase work productivity and product quality. Consequently, both the amount of defects and energy consumption will decrease.
Increasing efficiency, expanding business, saving various resources, improving productivity, as well as a better, safer, more modern working environment – these are the main investment goals.