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Categories: plastics

The ongoing crisis in the industry: Production has come to a standstill in the hall of an insolvent automotive supplier. (©Surplex).

Between rising costs and falling demand: Causes of the supplier crisis


The crisis in the automotive industry is affecting not only manufacturers but, in particular, suppliers. Even well-established companies are struggling when orders decline, material and energy costs rise, and major customers adjust their supply chains. A Czech plastics supplier was forced to cease production—now, around 150 high-quality machines are being auctioned off due to insolvency.
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Value stream mapping in action: A tool in lean management with which the inventory and processes of a production are described. This is the basis for more efficiency and optimisation. (© Amorn Suriyan / Shutterstock.com).

The role of used machinery in Lean Management

Lean Management is especially important in turbulent economic times as it boosts a company’s efficiency and competitiveness through process optimisation. Used machinery can also play a role in this strategy, offering a cost-effective way to promptly address production bottlenecks and optimise the machinery pool.
In economically turbulent times, one corporate strategy comes into particular focus

In the automotive industry, numerous plastics are processed into various components. This is done through the injection moulding process.  (© Superstar/Shutterstock.com).

From ivory substitute to LFT injection moulding: the history of plastics in automotive engineering

Plastics are a popular material in automotive engineering due to their lightweight and lower cost. The lower strength compared to metals can be compensated for by using high-performance polymers or combining plastics with glass or carbon fibres. The components are manufactured using injection moulding.
Plastics have been around for longer than cars. The first thermoplastic, called Parkesine, wa

Plastic can also do circular economy. The waste is processed, granulated and then reprocessed into new products. (© ImagineStock / Shutterstock.com).

Plastics can also be a circular economy

Plastic products end up in the rubbish after a short period of use. A large part of it is incinerated, which means that valuable material is lost. The circular economy has now also arrived in the plastics industry. Machines for plastics processing can be purchased second-hand. This also contributes to sustainability.
If one wants to maintain or improve people's standard of living and at the sam

Used machines for your success

Surplex has been one of Europe’s leading industrial auction houses for over 25 years and trades worldwide in used machines and factory equipment. The company is based in Düsseldorf and has offices in 12 European countries – including DACH, Spain, Italy, France, and CEE. More than 200 employees provide a full service in 20 languages.
Surplex became part of TBAuctions in August 2024, Europe’s leading multi-brand (Troostwijk Auctions, Klaravik, Auksjonen, PS Auction, British Medical Auctions, Vavato, and Auktionshuset dab), digital auction platform for B2B used goods. TBAuctions reaches around 700,000 unique bidders from 170 countries and approximately 46,000 unique sellers. The group employs around 1,200 people in total.