Origin by FPT Industrie: the Solution to Alfa Laval’s Production Challenges
In the manufacturing industry, choosing the right technology partner is a crucial factor in ensuring efficiency and competitiveness. Alfa Laval, a Swedish multinational company with over 130 years of history, is a global leader in heat exchange, fluid handling, and separation technologies. With a turnover of approximately 7 billion euros and over 22,000 employees, the company provides innovative solutions across various sectors, including oil & gas, petrochemicals, power generation, and food processing. It integrates advanced technologies to offer turnkey solutions and customized engineering services tailored to customers’ needs.
In this context, Alfa Laval Olmi S.p.A., the Italian division specializing in the design and construction of mission-critical heat exchangers for the energy sector, faced a strategic challenge: bringing in-house the production of a specific type of heat exchanger, the Air Cooler, which had previously been outsourced to external suppliers.
To achieve this, Alfa Laval needed a high-performance machine capable of ensuring precision, reliability, and high productivity while also meeting stringent safety and operational requirements.
The answer came from FPT Industrie with its ORIGIN milling machine.
The choice of the ORIGIN milling machine
FPT Industrie’s pre-sales team, which includes Gianprimo Squizzato, Director of Sales Engineering, identified FPT’s ORIGIN product line as the ideal solution for Alfa Laval’s production needs.
“We tailored the ORIGIN product line with a range of devices to allow the customer to work as efficiently as possible” says Gianprimo Squizzato, Director of Sales Engineering.
In collaboration with Alfa Laval’s team, FPT’s engineers analyzed the required components, production needs, installation site, and potential future developments. This allowed them to integrate and configure the machine with accessories and sensors to enhance its effectiveness. Among the key features implemented were continuous tool management (including measurement, verification, lifespan, vibration, and power absorption monitoring), uninterrupted loading/unloading enabled by a specifically designed layout, and a configuration with sensorized access points, customized clamping systems, anti-collision devices, and other solutions to ensure easy and safe operation.
All these features can be continuously monitored remotely by both the customer and FPT.
Efficiency, safety, and productivity
One of the key aspects in Alfa Laval’s decision was the rigorous safety assessment process, a fundamental element for the company. Alessandro Bissola, HSE / Maintenance Manager at Alfa Laval Olmi S.p.A., explains: “Alfa Laval’s procedure for purchasing new machinery requires a primary safety evaluation. Together with FPT, we conducted a risk analysis of both the machine and the operating method, achieving excellent results.
This allowed us to proceed with the purchase and installation with full confidence.”
Beyond safety, the project placed a strong focus on productivity through the integration of the VISORMAX system and the Mares platform. This advanced monitoring system enables FPT technicians to continuously oversee the machine’s operation, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
“At FPT, we can continuously monitor the machine with dedicated technicians, increasing its productivity,” Squizzato emphasizes.
From an operational standpoint, Alfa Laval’s requirements were also very high. The company needed a machine capable of ensuring high performance and repeatability in the production process. For this reason, a dedicated analysis of the machining cycles was conducted in collaboration with FPT’s team. This study allowed for precise measurement of time and methods for each production phase, aiding in the Xion of the most suitable milling machine.
“Performance was a crucial goal for Alfa Laval. A detailed analysis was conducted with the FPT team, evaluating each machining cycle and measuring all production parameters. This allowed us to identify the best solution for our needs” says Giuseppe Mazzitelli, Supply Chain Operations Supervisor.
Continuous support and a strategic partnership
Beyond the technological capabilities of the ORIGIN milling machine, a key added value for Alfa Laval was the collaborative relationship established with FPT Industrie. The proximity and ability of FPT to provide continuous support were essential elements in the project’s success.
“At FPT, we found partners open to dialogue, offering excellent service support and a presence in our facility that allows us to make the most of our investment” says Giovanni Zimello, General Manager of Alfa Laval Olmi S.p.A.
The Xion of FPT Industrie’s ORIGIN milling machine has proven to be a strategic investment for Alfa Laval, enabling the company to optimize production, increase efficiency, and maintain high safety standards. This project is a concrete example of how a partnership based on innovation and collaboration can lead to successful outcomes, strengthening Alfa Laval’s position in the heat exchanger market.
A technology partner for the future
Having a technology partner like FPT Industrie provides Alfa Laval with direct access to advanced and customizable solutions that precisely meet its production needs. With the ability to develop tailor-made machinery and offer continuous support, FPT enables companies to optimize production processes, reduce downtime, and maintain high safety and quality standards.
Long-term reliability is another key factor: the value of collaboration with FPT does not end with the machine’s delivery but continues over time through effective after-sales support, dedicated maintenance services, and continuous performance monitoring. This approach allows Alfa Laval to maximize its return on investment and continuously enhance its competitiveness in the heat exchanger market.
