Ervin, the current state of affairs in Europe

As we move into Q2 of 2022, it’s interesting to look back at the last two years and see how Ervin managed to overcome the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic first and the volatile market later, and what are the plans for the rest of this year and beyond.

The two people who have successfully steered the Ervin European manufacturing plants through these extremely difficult times are Thorsten Stephan, Head of the Ervin Stainless Division in Sprockhövel (Germany), and Mike Schwarz, Plant Manager at Ervin Amasteel factory in Glaubitz (Germany).

Both factories were facing significant growth in customer demand during 2020 and 2021, and even with the restrictions due to Covid, both plants managed to meet their output targets each year while keeping the staff safe. This achievement was possible by reviewing all processes and systems, successfully implementing a broad range of improvements. Good coordination across the global Ervin network of plants and offices was also crucial to ensure valuable, expert resources were available when most needed. At Glaubitz, in addition to the production targets, the team was met with another challenge: the launch of the new degreasing additive Amapure, which is now in full production.

Underpinning these successes is a significant investment program in machinery, equipment, recruitment, and training. As Mike points out, “High quality teams produce high quality products, so effective recruitment and retention are key to our success. We increased our headcount at Glaubitz by around 20% over the last two years. Maintaining a strong team spirit hasn’t been easy through Covid, but the management team found a way.”

Both plants also play an important role in supporting customers, working closely with them to help them get the best possible results and value from their blasting operations. As Thorsten explained, “Our customer representatives and sales teams have worked together to build new information workflows, improving the speed and reliability of responses to customer requests.” At Glaubitz, the test center stayed open through the Covid pandemic. “We completed over 50 testing projects in 2021,” says Mike, “some with customers present, others via online video conferencing.”

However, the pandemic was just one of the challenges Ervin had to face. Many industries have struggled with volatile pricing and supply of raw materials, with double-digit increases in paper, pallets, scrap steel, shipping, and – most importantly – energy prices threatening to slow down production. Whilst some are easing, others are forecast to remain high and possibly increase further during 2022. Ervin planning teams have worked hard to secure continuity of supply in the face of pressures on the shipping and haulage industries.

Ervin abrasives are “The World Standard for Quality”, so the team has put in the effort to ensure that such products continue to deliver the best possible performance and lowest cost, “One of the achievements we are most proud of over the last two years is that – despite dealing with the pandemics, price rises, and ambitious growth targets – we have maintained or even improved our product quality,” commented Mike.

Thorsten and Mike have a lot in the pipeline for each plant. “We will be developing our business in new markets and our existing customers keep ordering more Ervin products, so we need to keep increasing our output,” said Thorsten. Mike’s team is working on several opportunities: “We are receiving Amapure orders for delivery to customers in the next few weeks, and we are expanding our customer testing and technical support.”

Will the blasting industry change over the next few years? Which opportunities will arise for Ervin? Only time will tell; for now, Thorsten, Mike, and their teams keep carrying on the desire to improve of the founder John F Ervin.

About Ervin GmbH
Ervin is a specialist in the production and supply of steel and stainless steel cast abrasives. Ervin GmbH owns the most prestigious and well-known trademarks in the field of steel and stainless steel abrasives. The trademarks of AMASTEEL®, AMACAST®, AMACHROME®, AMAGRIT®, AMAPEEN TM, and AMACUT TM are synonymous with superior performance and exceptional value all over the globe.