Engel (A-4311 Schwertberg; www.engel.at), the Austrian manufacturer of injection moulding machines, reported that its main factory in Schwertberg, 20 km to the east of Linz, has suffered considerable flood damage from the extreme rainfall in that part of Austria. The worst damage has occurred in the mechanical production area in which the metal parts for the injection moulding machines are manufactured. The assembly area, on the other hand, has been less severely affected.

According to the latest information from Engel, it is impossible at present to supply any of the small and medium-sized machines made in Schwertberg. On the other hand, the customer service was “unaffected, and continuing in the customary Engel quality.” The supply of spare parts was also basically secure, said Dr. Otto Urbanek, Managing Director Technology, because stocks held at the marketing subsidiaries throughout the world could, if necessary, be used to make up the shortages.

Despite the two-week summer close-down – the factory gates were not due to open until August 19 – many Engel employees have already begun with the initial clearing up after the floods. It is therefore hoped in Schwertberg that operations in the core segments can recommence as planned on August 19. In order to keep the overall production loss as small as possible, some production orders will now be passed to the other Austrian production sites in St. Valentin and Dietach.