Furlan announces investments, focusing on solutions for customers

The investments made by Máquinas Furlan in its production and management structure seek to meet the needs of its customers. Another objective is to improve the quality of its personnel, so that the understanding of these needs becomes clearer.

This ensures that the business will continue to thrive, even in a world of rapid and constant change. “To invest is to prosper, to prosper is to perpetuate,” the company’s founder, Geraldo Furlan, used to say.

The volumes of resources invested in Furlan and the objectives of these actions were presented during the Sales Meeting, an event that marked the 62nd anniversary of the industry's activities – one of the leaders in the global supply of equipment and parts for the mining industry.

Employees and sales representatives from all over Brazil attended the lectures on investments, which were part of the meeting's program, which took place this month in Limeira (SP).

Support for customers who want to grow

“Over the past six decades, investments have always been one of our priorities. And we have increased our resources more intensively in the last four years,” says Valter Zutin Furlan, CEO of the company. The resources allocated to improvements in products and services and in production line practices grew by 77% between 2023 and 2024.

The budget is integrated into strategic planning, with a schedule up to 2028. This year alone, there are 19 strategic milestones.

“We need to be always vigilant because we are suppliers to a sector that is fundamental to people’s lives, which is mining. Today, our products help to process materials used in food, housing and medicines, among others,” explains Wagner Zutin Furlan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the industry.

One of the strategic milestones is the development of the Master Plan. A Master Plan is essential for diagnosing, planning and managing resources and strategies, ensuring the effective execution of the organization's objectives. The plan's schedule, in the company's 210,000 m2 area in Limeira, runs until 2028, with monitoring by architects.

“This way, we will be even better prepared to meet our customers’ growing needs. Modern equipment and better alloys are goals that need to be achieved in a well-organized and safe space for our employees,” says Valter.

Reduce costs and increase productivity

One of the initial steps to improving operational excellence will be Lean Manufacturing. In this management system, the needs of Furlan and its customers intersect, such as:

. improving quality;

. increased productivity;

. cost reduction;

. and improving the production flow by eliminating restrictions.

The system focuses on engaging employees in problem-solving, using more flexible processes to achieve this. This increases customer satisfaction by meeting deadlines and offering a value proposition for Furlan products that is superior to the market.

The factory’s modernization includes the adoption of robots in stages such as welding and scrap cutting. “The effects of automation are present, both in our daily lives and in the equipment projects we offer our customers. This is the case with NR 12; we are thinking about it in our products and services, but also in its impacts on our operations, as it offers safety to operators,” says Valter.

The improvement of foundry processes involves the operation of furnaces. Preventive maintenance will receive a significant share of resources, so that another ghost in the quarries – production stoppages – can be combated internally at Furlan.

The number of workers also saw a significant increase; it grew by 50% in one year. There are more operators, as the company has set ambitious targets for the production of steel equipment and parts. It is also considering measures that will improve commercial relations, such as sales planning.

In most cases, technology impacts different areas. “Robots prevent wasting time on repetitive tasks. With them, our team will be focused on offering creative solutions to customers, which Furlan has adopted since its foundation,” says Valter.

Creation of Furlan University

Another practice will be the transfer of knowledge to new members of the company. The company plans the structure of its own university. The perpetuation of practices that have yielded results is one of the main pillars of Furlan's culture.

“We have noticed that there is a kind of teacher-like attitude among our employees who have been with us the longest. This legacy needs to be recorded, passed on and, if necessary, improved,” says Valter.

The challenge is huge. “We have practically three factories in one space: the Equipment, the Foundry and the Services sector. The development of people helps to integrate the activities carried out by these units, which are so different in format”, says Valter.

In this post here, we are talking about Consulting, one of the Service areas offered by Furlan to the market.

Part of the resources will also help prepare the third generation, as Geraldo's grandsons and granddaughters are already involved in the projects. “We have the support of the Dom Cabral Foundation in this regard, working mainly on training leaders,” says Valter.

The Furlan team is available to customers and the community to share their experiences with products, services and relationship practices. In this way, it encourages the economic and social development of the communities where it is present.