Dürr has modernized an almost 20-year-old paint shop for automaker SAIC-GM – formerly known as SGM (Shanghai General Motors) – in record time while also making the facility more environmentally friendly. In just six weeks, large sections of existing paint shop equipment were removed and replaced with state-of-the-art technology. For Dürr, this order was the largest conversion project undertaken by the company in China to date and was nothing less than a complete success. The customer was so pleased with the work carried out that it presented Dürr with the “Corporation of the Year” award at the beginning of this year in Shanghai.
From the end of March to the beginning of May 2015, Dürr dismantled almost all previous equipment and installed new spray booths measuring a total length of 150 meters in the existing building. Twenty-four new painting robots were also integrated along with 1 kilometer of conveyor systems, 14 kilometers of paint feeder hoses, 120 kilometers of cable, new fresh and exhaust-air installations as well as ovens. The cathodic dip coating system was likewise updated to the latest state of the art. SAIC-GM can now use its overhauled paint shop to apply environmentally-friendly water-based paint instead of the solvent-based alternative.
At the peak point of the project, Dürr interfaced with an international team of 100 experts to coordinate over 1,200 workers, all of whom were present at the same time on site. Thanks to the seamless implementation of the project, six days could be shaved off the planned construction period of seven weeks. SAIC-GM recognized this level of performance by presenting Dürr with the “Corporation of the Year” award. In so doing, Dürr has once again demonstrated its unique set of skills when it comes to complex renovation projects.
