Austria-based aluminium supplier Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) has officially inaugurated its new P61 extrusion press line and logistics centre at its Ranshofen headquarters. The event, which attracted figures from both local government and business sectors, marked the successful conclusion of a significant €125 million investment initiative that HAI began in 2022.
The new P61 press line represents a substantial enhancement in the company’s production capabilities, particularly in the manufacturing of complex aluminium profiles for the automotive industry. This line features a 60 MN, 12-inch front-loading press, designed and constructed by Presezzi Extrusion in Italy. The press is capable of handling billets ranging from 600 mm to 1,750 mm in length and is engineered for high extrusion speeds and operational flexibility. Notably, the press incorporates Presezzi’s Energy Saving System (PE.E.S.S.), which optimises energy use by activating hydraulic pumps only when needed, leading to significant energy savings and lower maintenance requirements.
The P61 press is also equipped with advanced automation, technological packages, and sensors that enable operators and maintenance staff to manage the system proactively. The integrated PE software package features a web-based telemetry system that collects real-time data for production and maintenance optimization. This system can automatically gather samples at a rapid rate, allowing for detailed performance analysis and improvements.
In addition to the press, the log handling and press feed systems were supplied by Extrutec, featuring a vertical log storage unit with 28 slots, each capable of holding 12 logs. The unit, combined with a patented hot-water pre-heating system called the Eco Shower Unit (ESU), improves throughput and reduces energy consumption by up to 17 percent.
The new P61 line allows HAI to extrude approximately 15,000 tonnes of advanced automotive profiles annually, depending on the product mix. This addition raises the total extruded product capacity at the Ranshofen plant to around 50,000 tonnes and boosts the overall capacity of the HAI Group to about 125,000 tonnes per year. 
