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Format conversion kit as offered by TMQS
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TMQS sales manager, NorbertSchulz-Nemak
By Thomas Schmid
When German outfit TMQS GmbH set up shop in 2001, its primary field of service was as alternative spare parts supplier for Hauni Group machinery. That scope was greatly expanded throughout the years. “The company name, TMQS, originally was an acronym for ‘Tobacco Machinery Quality Spares’, reflecting its business focus,” said TMQS sales manager, Norbert Schulz-Nemak. “But under our expanded scope, it now rather stands for ‘Tobacco Machinery Quality Solutions’.”
Deep maintenance and modernization
While spare parts and assembly groups remain part of the portfolio, TMQS has over the years put a steadily more dominating emphasis on machine deep maintenance, overhaul, modernization and upgrading and, perhaps even more defining, spare part engineering improvements. According to Schulz-Nemak, the latter “provide advantages over the original versions.“ But besides that, TMQS also embarked on developing proprietary machinery and components to suit specific tobacco industry requirements. “Working with various partners, TMQS is developing special engineering solutions that extend tobacco machines‘ functionalities and deployment possibilities,“ Schulz-Nemak explained. He quickly added: “Yet whether we’re talking spare parts, assembly groups, upgrades or modernizations, I want to make it explicitly clear that TMQS is not infringing on any existing patents in its endeavors.“
Bespoke solutions
The company’s goal from the very start was to offer customers bespoke technical solutions, as well as alternatives to OEM parts and components. Quality-wise, assured Schulz-Nemak, “TMQS sets a high value on the quality and improvement of parts and solutions offered. An independent quality department surveys the manufacturing and an integrated quality management surveys internal processes and frequently checks for improvement possibilities. This is how we can reach longer life cycle times and enhanced functionalities.“ Since then, TMQS has gained a reputation for flexibility, honesty, and exceptional attention to customer needs. “We strive for mutually beneficial, lasting partnerships with [our] customers, where everyone involved knows what is achievable and what not,“ Schulz-Nemak elaborated. The firm‘s expertise with handling cigarette maker machines of any type and generation certainly came in handy in tending to these objectives.
Expansion into proprietary machinery
The German outfit has in the meantime been pushing its services and product portfolio quite a bit further, rolling out an expansive range of proprietary machinery and components (see table). Marketing them under the TMQS brand, they generally come in the usual, highly-reputed German quality. Generous warranty terms likewise are part of the deal, which, as Schulz-Nemak asserted, “are fully comparable to those of other original equipment manufacturers.“ Meanwhile, second-hand machinery – either fully rebuilt or deep-maintained – is available upon inquiry. “The benefit of a rebuilt line is its unbeatable price, though it of course has new electronic and pneumatic parts and also is comprehensively overhauled,“ Schulz-Nemak said. Rebuilt or deep-maintained machines carry a function and efficiency warranty.
Upgrade kits for expanded functionalities
Another product category for which TMQS has become renowned are upgrade kits, all of them developed in-house. “OEM suppliers focus on new machinery sales and, hence, are not really interested in upgrading older machines to extend their life cycles and functionalities,“ Schulz-Nemak pointed out. TMQS, on the other hand, were an independent engineering firm and harbored no such vested interests. The company’s upgrade kits improve speed, efficiency, and functionality and even make older machines “future proof.“ “The kits,“ Schulz-Nemak said, “can indeed play a vital role in keeping production going and improve processes without having to invest in new machinery.“
A treasure trove of spares and solutions
A huge spare parts inventory completes the picture, with Schulz-Nemak insisting that all stocked parts are brand new, owing to TMQS‘ “policy of offering customers highest quality and value.“ “Compromises just won’t do it for us,“ he said. Maintaining close partnerships with manufacturers worldwide enables TMQS to cover the broadest spectrum of spare parts imaginable. “It is this tremendous flexibility which, together with our in-house engineering expertise, has made TMQS a trusted name in the industry.” One particular emphasis lies on single-rod machinery parts, for instance for the Protos and KDF. TMQS also can provide difficult-to-source solutions for other machines of pretty much any make. As the case and market requirement may be, the antiquated lines may even suggest a complete or partial overhaul to achieve the market goals with the least possible investment.
“From our experience,” explained Schulz-Nemak, “obsolescence is 99% an electrical issue, the key being to come up with a price-conscious solution that eliminates this root problem.” “While this can be a little tricky at times, we are always glad to receive inquiries about existing issues with a technologically obsolete machine.”
Global activity, with Asia in the spotlight
Apart from Europe, TMQS maintains customer bases in the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. According to Schulz-Nemak, the firm is “accredited with all major multinationals as an alternative supplier.” In addition, TMQS serves “many local and independent clients worldwide.” In particular, Schulz-Nemak identified the Middle East, South Asia, and Southeast Asia as territories with promising growth potential. “Historically, our focus was more on markets like Europe, the Americas, and Africa. But while these are still important, Asia holds more future potential for TMQS, mostly because we only started becoming active there in recent years.”
With Asia’s tobacco sector burgeoning, the region was positioning itself as a high-volume manufacturing hub with lots of different product types and dimensions, Schulz-Nemak said. “Yet, like everywhere else, there are obstacles to overcome, but overall [Asia’s] sheer market size simply cannot be ignored.” Presently, the company’s strongest Asian territory is ASEAN. However, Schulz-Nemak also admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic had made it somewhat more laborious to initiate business in the region, the company primarily having to resort to video meetings and other types of remote communication. “Though in the end this is not going to impact our opportunities too much,” he said, brimming with confidence.
Soon in this theater
After all, TMQS has quite a few new things up its sleeve for the intermediate future. For example, the company is soon to roll out a next-generation online laser unit. Built on an earlier model that had sold well for more than a decade, it boasts a considerably extended life cycle. It also incorporates a range of modernized features, such as “highest stability in all speed ranges, improved format flexibility through easily adjustable ventilation, row distance, and switching from single to dual row.”
Furthermore, the firm is set to shortly introduce a TMQS-branded rod maker, which, according to Schulz-Nemak “is going to be one of a kind in terms of its flexibility.” He anticipates the machine’s state-of-the-art drive technology will benefit all customer purposes, being deployable for product trials as well as manufacturing new and existing product lines. “We are truly excited about its impending launch,” Schulz-Nemak enthused.