During the programme, the company's operations and history Szabó István presented to the participants by the factory director:
- HowMet-Köfém Kft. has been operating in Nemesvámos since 1996 (its predecessors being Kaynar Technologies Inc., Fairchild Fasteners Co., Alcoa, Alcoa-Köfém, Arconic-Köfém – and since 2020, HowMet-Köfém).
- The company manufactures products for the aerospace industry in approximately 50%; its other major business sectors are the defence industry and freight transport.
- The main products of HowMet are titanium, carbon steel and stainless steel fasteners, thread-locking inserts (lockbolt, hi-lok pin, insert and latch products), and their main technologies are metalworking, surface treatment, coating, heat treatment, and passivation.
- During the company's operations, sustainability is a priority across the entire supply chain with the aim of reducing the carbon footprint.
- The company currently has 210 employees and generated a turnover of 15 million euros in 2023.
The aerospace challenges and the related quality assurance and environmental solutions Baán Zsuzsanna the Quality Manager presented, covering industry certifications, material testing, tests, as well as product integrity and safety (product safety management system).
Gellén László, Chairman of the Mechatronics Cluster and Managing Director of Poppe+Potthoff Hungária Kft., shared his experiences in the automotive industry, the challenges faced and the latest developments in powertrain technology with those present. The cluster chairman outlined the technological advantages of hydrogen propulsion compared to internal combustion engines and fuel cell engines. He noted that, according to projected global investment trends, 1.5% of diesel-powered heavy-duty vehicles will be hydrogen-powered, whilst 5–6% will be equipped with fuel cell technology by 2030.
In the second part of the programme, networking, as well as plant and laboratory visits, took place.
For further information: www.bbmjk.hu
The professional programme was implemented in connection with the agreement entitled “In Alliance with Businesses” between the Government of Hungary and the Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development, within the framework of grant agreement no. VF/44/5/2023_VKIK of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Veszprém County.
