AP&T delivers its 150th press-hardening line AP&T交付第150条热成形生产线
AP&T delivers its 150th press-hardening line
AP&T交付第150条热成形生产线
We have reached a new milestone. In October 2022, AP&T received an order for its 150th press-hardening line, thereby securing their position as the leading global supplier of press-hardening equipment for the automotive industry. The customer is Liuzhou Saike, subsidiary of one of China's largest auto manufacturers, SAIC motor.
2022年10月，AP＆T收到了第150条热成形生产线的订单，从而再次巩固了他们作为汽车行业热成形设备全球领头羊的位置。客户是中国最大汽车制造商之一——上汽集团子公司：柳州赛克。这意味着AP＆T达到一个崭新的里程碑。
Twenty years ago, when AP&T decided to invest in press hardening, it was not easy to predict just how far things could lead. Today, the company is one of the most prominent suppliers of production lines for manufacturing press-hardened components and has auto manufacturers and sub-suppliers from around the world on their list of customers. How did that come about?
早在20年前，当AP&T决定投资热成形技术时，前景难以预测。而如今，已是热成形零部件生产线最大的供应商之一，客户来自全球著名汽车制造商和供应商。他们是如何做到的？
Ford Mustang kick start
始于福特野马
“In 2002, we were approached about delivering a press and a few linear robots for a line that would be used to press-harden fender components for the Ford Mustang in the US. The collaboration was a successful one and sparked the decision to increase our process expertise. We realized that the area held great potential,” says Mats Lindman, an AP&T Sales Manager who has been on the greater part of the company’s successful press-hardening journey.
“2002年，福特野马给了我们第一个任务：为一条生产线提供一台压力机和几台线性机器人，生产热成形防撞杆。这次成功的合作促使我们决定加强工艺方面的专业知识，我们意识到这个领域有非常大的潜力。”AP&T销售经理Mats Lindman回忆道。
In 2004, the company conducted its first major press-hardening deal under the name of AP&T to supply Benteler Automotive in the US with three production lines. The following year, Benteler placed an order for yet another line, this time for its Changchun, China facility.
2004年，AP＆T达成了首个重要的热成形交易，为本特勒集团在美国提供了三条生产线。次年，本特勒为中国长春的工厂订购了另一条生产线。
First line to China
中国首条热成形生产线
“It was our first delivery of a press-hardening line to China, which would become our single largest market for this type of equipment after just a few years. It’s been 18 years, but the line we installed in 2005 is still in full operation!”
“这是我们首次向中国交付热成形生产线，仅仅几年后，中国就成为了我们最大的市场。2005年安装的生产线18年来仍在高效运行！”
The foundation for continued success in China was laid when Bao Steel, the third largest sheet metal manufacturer in the world, contacted AP&T in 2006. Mats Lindman was also key to that customer relationship.
2006年，世界第三大钢板制造商宝钢联系了AP&T，为AP&T在中国市场的持续成功奠定了基础。
“They wanted to more deeply explore the opportunities press hardening offers. In order to demo the technology and test-manufacture various components for Bao Steel, we built up a complete line at our facilities. It eventually resulted in orders for several lines for them in China,” he says.
“他们想深入了解热成形技术的潜力。我们为宝钢测试了各种零部件，展现了我们的热成形工艺。随后，他们订购了好几条热成形生产线。” Lindman说。
The breakthrough - five lines for Fiat
菲亚特：突破性的订单
At this time, demand for AP&T's press-hardening solutions was also increasing in Europe and the US. A major breakthrough came when Fiat placed an order for five complete production lines for their factory in Cassino, Italy in 2008.
同时，欧洲和美国市场对AP＆T热成形技术的需求也在不断增加。2008年，菲亚特为意大利卡西诺工厂订购了五条完整的生产线，这是一次重大突破！
This opened up for deals throughout the world with OEMs and suppliers of car parts and components, causing the automotive industry to grow into one of AP&T's largest customer categories.
这为与汽车制造商和零部件供应商的交易打开了市场，使汽车行业成为AP＆T最大的客户之一。
“Parts manufactured with AP&T’s press-hardening equipment are currently used by most major car manufacturers. Aside from the OEMs already mentioned, the list includes Volkswagen, Volvo and Great Wall Motors, who we either have, or have had, direct relationships with through the years. Many first-time deals led to more business,” says Lindman.
Lindman表示：“目前， AP＆T热成形设备制造的零件被大多数知名汽车制造商使用。除了已经提到的厂商之外，还包括大众、沃尔沃和长城汽车，我们和他们都有直接的业务往来。自此，订单源源不断。”
150 lines ordered
150条生产线订单达成
Press-hardening line number 100 from AP&T was installed in the spring of 2018 at the MA Polska facility in Tychy, southern Poland. And this summer, line number 150 will become operational in Liuzhou Saike's facility in Liuzhou, China. The parts manufactured here are used in SMGW's car models, including the best-selling electric vehicle in China, Hongguang MINI EV.
AP&T第100条热成形生产线于2018年春季安装在波兰南部的MA Polska工厂。今年夏天，第150条生产线将在中国柳州赛克投入运行。所生产的零件被用于上汽通用五菱（SMGW）的汽车车型，包括中国最畅销的电动汽车五菱宏光MINI EV。
In the 20 years since AP&T's first step toward press-hardening, the technology has consistently developed and been refined.
自AP&T进入热成形领域以来，在这20年里，一直持续不断地发展和完善。
Tech development that pushes the boundaries
技术发展突破极限
“With the help of systems for advanced process control, innovations such as TemperBox®, Multi-Layer Furnace and our servohydraulic press, we have pushed the boundaries of what is possible. The technology has created entirely new possibilities for the automotive industry to effectively design and manufacture components with the desired attributes at a higher, more even quality level. This has in turn led to cars that are safer, lighter and have less of an impact on the climate and environment.”
“受益于先进的工艺控制系统及各种创新技术，如：TemperBox®回火箱、多层加热炉和伺服液压机等，我们不断挑战极限。这些技术为汽车工业创造了全新的可能，他们可以更高效地设计和制造零件，并提高了产品质量和稳定性。这又进一步推动了汽车的安全性、轻量化和环保性。”
According to Mats Lindman, other AP&T success factors are how the offer is viewed, customer relationships and the method of doing business. This approach falls under the One Responsible Partner® label.
Mats Lindman解释称，AP&T的其他成功因素包括如何理解客户需求，处理客户关系以及项目管理。这就是我们的理念——“可靠的合作伙伴”。
A holistic solution that performs throughout
贯穿始终的服务
“As an experienced expert partner, we do not only deliver high quality machines, but also take responsibility for a turnkey, needs-adapted holistic solution with high lifetime performance.”
“作为经验丰富的合作伙伴，我们不仅提供高质量产品，同时也为客户提供高效持久的一站式服务。”
Just as the technology has continuously developed through the years, so has AP&T's service offering. In addition to the service, maintenance, repairs, spare parts and training offered today, the company also offers optimization and upgrades of existing machines, which is often a very lucrative measure for customers. AP&T also offers various forms of availability agreements that are tailored to the customer.
正如科技不断发展，AP&T的服务也在这些年里不断完善。除常规的保养、维修、备件和培训，还提供设备的优化和升级，这些非常具有吸引力。同时，AP&T还为客户提供量身定制的服务方案。
“In the future, I believe that there will be a considerable increase in customers who choose contract-based solutions, meaning we will take a more extensive, longer term responsibility. For instance, we already have a performance-based agreement in which you choose to pay a certain amount per press cycle rather than purchase equipment the traditional way. Each new deal marks the start of a journey, and our goal is to make it as easy, profitable, secure and problem-free as we can for each customer.”
“未来，我们相信会有更多客户选择这类服务方案，这意味着AP&T将承担更长期重大的责任。例如，我们已经有一份长期服务协议，您可以选择计件收费，而不是以传统方式购买设备。我们的目标是让客户的生产更简单、有效、可靠无忧。”
So how is the future of press hardening looking?
那么热成形技术前景如何？
“During the pandemic, demand leveled out for a while, but now the arrows are pointing up again, not only for upgrades of existing machines, but also for new sales. So yes, press hardening absolutely has a future,” says Lindman.
“在疫情期间，订单需求平稳，目前需求不断上涨，不仅有对现有设备进行升级，也包括新订单。热成形技术未来可期。”Lindman说道。
Read more about AP&T’s total press hardening solution offering at https://aptgroup.com/solutions/automotive/press-hardening
了解更多关于AP&T全套热成形解决方案的信息，请点击：
https://aptgroup.com/solutions/automotive/press-hardening
Captions:
1. Mats Lindman, a Sales Manager at AP&T who has been on the greater part of the company's successful press-hardening journey.
注：
- AP&T资深销售经理Mats Lindman在热成形的成功中起到了举足轻重的作用
- In October 2022, AP&T received an order for its 150th press-hardening line, thereby securing their position as the leading global supplier of press-hardening equipment for the automotive industry.
2. 2022年10月，AP＆T收到了第150条热成形生产线的订单，从而巩固了他们作为汽车行业热成形设备全球领头羊的位置。