AUNDE opts for Montex to ensure improved finishing

AUNDE, as the market leader in South Africa for quality automotive interior fabrics, is constantly striving to upgrade its Rossburgh, Durban facility with the latest technology and equipment to further enhance the quality of its production.

The company is currently commissioning a Montex 6500 for its finishing line, replacing an older competitive marque stenter.

“Even during the initial trials we were able to see significant improvements thanks to the introduction of new technology with the Montex,” said AUNDE’s General Manager, Sean Kennedy.

He elaborated further, “lt is so easy to adjust the new stenter. Thanks to the automation and control systems with, for example, weft straightening, the previous manual operation to control ‘bows and squews’ is eliminated.”

“Reproducibility is another key factor in ordering the Montex through the local representative Texmaco. Once set up, the system will run exactly the same, for whatever is required, guaranteeing accurate and exact reproducibility” he added.

The stenter has been installed in a building purposely set aside for the new unit, together with a flame lamination line.

Following delivery of the Montex, we have taken the opportunity to streamline the facilities into a more continuous and efficient flow line,” Sean added.

The present site started business in 1946 under the name Silknit, later changing to South African Fabrics and then Courtoulds Textiles S.A and finally MBO in 1992. AUNDE invested in the company in 1997 acquiring a 51% share and changing the name to AUNDE TAP. By 2002 the site was 100% owned by AUNDE.

Prior to 2002, the factory was producing ladies intermit apparel, swimwear and furnishing plus automotive fabrics. In 2002 the company was restructured to totally serve the local automotive industries including Volkswagen, Nissan, Ford, GM, Toyota and later BMW.

Vertical operation

AUNDE operate as a fully vertical operation from texturising to laminating finished fabrics. Using 100 % polyester, production features flat woven dobby and jacquard, as well as brushed or pol warp knit fabrics.

The trend according to Stuart Naysmith, AUNDE’s Production/Key Accounts Manager, working 4 years ahead is swinging further towards more wovens. Dictated by the OEMs, production is currently approximately 40% knits and 60% wovens.” but” added Stewart, “several manufacturers are still specifying knitted fabrics.”

He recognised that the new 6-chamber Montex 6500 is a highly versatile machine, designed to finish both warp knits and woven fabrics.

Featuring a small Goller washing unit in line with the stenter, woven fabrics are washed and fed directly in to the Montex infeed for drying and finishing.