Atlas Copco unveils new GA compressor in road show

  

Antwerp, Belgium, 5 June, 2008. The first European stop in Atlas Copco's worldwide road show for its new energy efficient GA compressor range proved a resounding success.

This week over 370 journalists, customers and sales staff from 24 different countries discovered the most efficient oil-injected compressors ever produced, the new GA 90-160 kW range. The new GA compressors and their redesigned screw element, as well as the newly launched highly energy efficient FD 310-510 refrigerant dryer range were on show in Antwerp. The road show featured on-site compressed air system demos, customer testimonials, presentations of customer benefits, real-time viewing of endurance test data, and a fascinating live multimedia performance which explored the key design innovations in the compressor. Visitors were also offered a factory tour including the assembly lines of the new GA.

  
One customer present was Patrick Fradin, Head of Energy at Michelin's Avallon site in France. "It is my objective to reduce energy costs per tonne of production. Together with Atlas Copco we have calculated that by replacing our four working compressors with two new GA 132 VSDs, we can save 736 400 kWh yearly," explains Fradin. "I was surprised when I saw the potential savings on the consumption. I also think that there will be a lot less maintenance to do" The factory is a leading industrial retreader of tires for trucks and earthmoving equipment and shipped products for 300 000 vehicles in 2007.
 
The road show will be traveling around the world. Interested customers wishing to participate should contact their local Atlas Copco Customer Center in order to request an invitation.


Atlas Copco is a world leading provider of industrial productivity solutions. The products and services range from compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems, to related aftermarket and rental. In close cooperation with customers and business partners, and with 135 years of experience, Atlas Copco innovates for superior productivity. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, the Group's global reach spans more than 160 markets. In 2007, Atlas Copco had 33 000 employees and revenues of BSEK 63 (BEUR 6.7). Learn more at www.atlascopco.com .
 
Oil-free Air is a division within Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique business area. It develops, manufactures, and markets oil-free air compressors for all kind of industries worldwide where the air quality is vital, and oil-injected compressors for less critical applications. The division focuses on air optimization systems and quality air solutions to further improve customers' productivity. The divisional headquarters and main production center are located in Antwerp, Belgium.
 
FOOTNOTE TO EDITORS:
The new Atlas Copco GA range (3.5 to 14 bar(e)) offers the most energy-efficient air compressor package, can operate in ambient temperatures of up to 55 degrees centigrade, at a maximum noise level of 71 dBA, and has a doubled lifetime for the oil filter and the air inlet filter. This is the first oil-injected compressor range in the world to integrate the water separator into the compressed air cooling system and Atlas Copco's first air compressor to offer VSD-controlled cooling fans.. Its Specific Energy Requirement (SER) is best-in-class, using up to 11% less electricity than the previous GA models. The new GA 160 VSD compressor also offers the widest free air delivery (FAD) turndown range.  With the integration of its patented Saver Cycle Control, Atlas Copco has achieved further energy savings for its refrigerant dryers of up to 30% (in normal load conditions).

Atlas Copco inaugurates new factory in China

Stockholm, Sweden, June 3, 2008: Atlas Copco enforces its position in China by opening a new manufacturing plant in Wuxi. The new plant replaces an old factory and provides improved working environment as well as increased capacity opportunities.

Based in, Wuxi, the new production facility will manufacture diamond bits, primarily for the regional markets, as well as casing shoes and reaming shells for global markets.

"China is one of Atlas Copco's focus markets. Our new manufacturing facility will provide us with a strong base for further growth in the Chinese market as well as a supply support to global markets," says Björn Rosengren, Business Area President, Construction and Mining Technique.

The new factory meets all Atlas Copco standards for manufacturing facilities. ISO 9001 certification has already been achieved and work towards an environmental certification in compliance with ISO 14001 is in progress. The new factory is therefore, amongst other things, equipped with an advanced sewage treatment system.

The unit currently employs 51 people, all with experience from the previous factory.

The new facility belongs to Atlas Copco (Wuxi) Exploration Equipment Ltd in the Atlas Copco Geotechnical Drilling and Exploration division.

For further information, click here to visit the Atlas Copco’s website.
www.atlascopco.com