From locksmith to global drying technology expert in 100 years
For 100 years, the former locksmith and tinsmith workshop has been constantly developing new technologies in order to be able to offer the right equipment to an ever more diverse clientele.
In dryers from stela Laxhuber GmbH, considerable quantities of grain, corn, wood chips, sawdust and other bulk materials are brought to a precise final moisture content in efficient processes.
In the field of fuel pre-drying stela offers customised modern solutions. By drying a wide range of alternative fuels, such as RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) and SSW (Solid Shredded Waste), the controllability and quality assurance in clinker production is optimised. By using the waste heat from upstream production processes, the economic operation of the drying plants is guaranteed.
stela Laxhuber can now build on 100 years of know-how. Recently, growth has been particularly rapid, which is why the new site, which was only completed in 2016, has already been expanded in 2022. “We are investing three million euros in two new warehouses to optimize our transport logistics,” explains Managing Director Thomas Laxhuber. After all, not only the orders but also the dimensions of the plants are increasing. As recently as 2021, the largest drying plant produced to date was shipped to Brazil.
Company anniversary and plant expansion
Before being used for their actual purpose, the new – recently completed – factory halls served to celebrate a double birthday party – 100 years of stela and 40 years of stela Steuerungstechnik.
As stela has now installed 4012 plants in 67 countries, more than 900 guests from all continents were able to attend this celebration in Massing on June 24th 2022.
Beside this, the recently awarded Bavarian SME Prize – which went to stela this year – was highlighted once again. In the laudatory speech by Peter Glas (Vice President of the Lower Bavarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce), the unconventional approaches to challenges on the part of stela were singled out for extra praise.
“100 years ago, everything revolved around the wind – a state of affairs we’re once again returning to today” – is how Member of State Parliament Max Straubinger summed things up while highlighting stela’s beginnings. Back then, wind wells were offered to irrigate the fields; today, wind power and the resource-conserving use of raw materials and energy are essential. As a company supplying energy-efficient systems and despite its growth, stela is also looking to become more and more energy-efficient itself. Since 2020, the company has been climate-neutral, the vehicle fleet has been converted to electric drives, and “refuelling” is achieved by an in-house solar system.
The drying of recycling material is also becoming increasingly important in times of climate crisis. “When it comes to recycling, we now only talk about raw materials – and no longer about waste”, is how Thomas Laxhuber summed things up in one sentence.
