Interviews: Automotive

Research and innovation, always avant-garde

Interview with Marco Barbolini, Technical Manager Seeber

The multinational Group invests on high value-added productions and on continuous research for new application, new raw materials and new process technologies. High value added products, continuously updated technologies, highly specialized products are the elements that guide our approach on the market. From the added value of the post production necessary to supply the Automobile Industries of the components ready to be assembled to the added value due to the complexity of the technical blown pieces inside the motor area (intercooler blow molding with 3D technology)

What is Seeber position on the market?
Barbolini: Seeber, with head office near Bolzano, is part of a multinational Group (on the market since 1956) with various plants in Europe, operating in both blow molding and injection molding of plastic materials. Seeber has supplied the Automobile industry since the 1970’s. Since 1986 it has dedicated its entire production exclusively to the automotive sector. 94% of its production is intended for the foreign market. The reference customers are Mercedes, Daimler Chrysler, Ford, BMW besides other system projectors like Marelli. It’s important for us to be product specialists,we then directly and indirectly supply the Automobile industry through system projectors.

What are the company’s main products?
Barbolini: The main products categories that Seeber produces in this specific blow molding sector are 3, each with its peculiarities regarding both production and commercialization:
:: Air-conditioning;
:: Systems for windscreen washer;
:: Products for Motor management.
The same rule applies for each: from the single blown piece to the finished product, as much as the windscreen wash system as for the technical ducts in the motor area. The Automobile Industries, today, request that a product is supplied with all the necessary accessories and blow molded parts (welding, cutting, mechanical parts, assembly…).

What is the Company’s Strength?
Barbolini: Seeber’s strength is research and innovation, through a dedicated internal division, that operates at both the product and the process levels. There are still many possibilities of research application in the motor area sector, in two main directions: replacement of the metallic pieces with blow molded ones (new thermo resistant raw materials) and integration of product functions. Investment in research made it possible for Seeber to develop the 3D blow mold technologies in the mid-nineties. The raw materials, polyamide for blow molding were developed in 2000/2001 and the technical staff is trained continuously.