Rockmore International, a leading global manufacturer of premium quality percussive rock drilling tools, has announced the opening of an additional manufacturing center. The 12,000,000 USD facility, located in Judenburg, Austria, officially opened in January 2012. Along with their existing plant in the USA, this effectively doubles Rockmore’s production capacity.

“We are looking to the future of the industry and meeting the needs of our customers for the next 20 years,” said Pejman Eghdami, Executive Vice President of Rockmore International. “This new facility has streamlined and speeded our manufacturing process, making it possible to provide better and faster service and an expanded line of products.”

Situated on a 21,000 square meter (5.2 acre) site in a new industrial park zone in Judenburg, Austria, the new plant is 7,500 square meters, or 81,000 square feet, and features advanced heat treatment equipment, automated CNC production machinery, and a state-of-the-art laboratory and testing facility. The new plant manufactures primarily drill rods for extension and tunneling drill rigs. Shank adapters, couplings, and DTH bits are also manufactured in high volume. Production capacity is initially targeted at 15,000 units per month and can exceed 20,000 units as required.

The building was designed with optimum manufacturing sequences in mind, so production is streamlined and efficient. Each production line begins at the delivery and pre-material warehouse, proceeds through its production sequence, and ends at the dispatch warehouse, ready for shipment.

With an eye to the environment, this new plant conforms to the strictest European energy codes, and incorporates the latest energy-saving systems. For example, a closed-loop water recovery system utilizes the heated water generated by the production machinery to provide the heating and cooling function for the entire factory and offices.

“This new European facility is centrally located with easy access to European markets, as well as emerging markets in Africa and Asia,” added Eghdami. “We look forward to serving the growing rock drilling industry in these areas.

Rockmore International is a global manufacturer of rock drilling tools, serving the mining, construction, and water-well sectors for more than 60 years.