Indinvest LT Plant Revamping P2

What does the plant undergoing revamping represent for you?

The P2 line, a 7-inch Breda press, holds a special place in the history of Indinvest LT. It was the very first press installed, back in 1991, and since then it has never stopped running: not even during the most difficult times, such as the 2008 or 2012 crises. For over thirty years, it has continued to produce, serving the majority of medium-to-small profiles, which represent an important part of our extrusion business.

Even with the arrival, in 2023, of a new 7-inch press, the P2 has never been completely retired. On the contrary, it has always been ready to step in during peak production periods, becoming our point of reference, our “lifeline” that ensures continuity of orders.

The decision to intervene on this line was not made at random. A complete revamping would have meant purchasing a new press, but the mechanical section, despite its age, continues to perform well. We therefore chose to renew what really represented a limitation: the electrical and electronic section.

Over the past thirty years, the plant has undergone several modifications, but the original software had become obsolete, as had much of the electrical componentry. Any downtime could require rewriting the entire program before resuming operations: a long and complex process that made the need for intervention evident.

With this revamping, we achieved two fundamental results: the certainty of reliable operation and the ability to ensure greater safety for operators. We also decided to introduce new protection features, not included in the original design but now essential since we had chosen to keep our P2 alive.

A Long-Standing Relationship

A Long-Standing Relationship

How and when did your collaboration with HS Automation begin?
The collaboration with HS Automation began in 2016, on the occasion of the installation of the fifth 8.5-inch extrusion line. At that time, HSA was handling the software part on behalf of Omav, but from that very first meeting we found an immediate understanding: not only on a technical level, but also in our way of approaching work. We shared the same team philosophy, and this led us, in the following years, to choose to collaborate directly.

Today, HSA represents much more than just a technical partner: it is a point of reference, both from an electronic and a human perspective. We know that when faced with a complex problem, we can count on their support. And it is this mutual trust that truly makes the difference for us.

Geographical distance has never been an obstacle. The value of working with HSA is not measured solely in technical expertise, but above all in human qualities: traits that make kilometers irrelevant.

What led you to choose HSA the first time?

The first collaboration happened almost by chance, but what drove us to continue was their professionalism, expertise, reliability, and work ethic. In HSA we found people capable of tackling any situation with maturity and a spirit of collaboration, who never abandon a plant until it is operational, and who always put the customer and the final result at the center.

The New Revamping Project

What were the main needs or critical issues to be addressed with this intervention?
The main need was to upgrade an electronic and electrical system that had become obsolete. We are talking about a plant designed in the 1990s, which therefore lacked the safety functions now indispensable to guarantee reliability and operator protection.

The project involved a complete overhaul of the electrical panels, partial cable replacement, and above all, the rewriting of the press and line software. This last point was fundamental: the programming language in which the system had been developed was outdated, making restart operations after downtime overly complex. With the new software, however, we can now rely on a more solid and high-performing system, capable of meeting today’s and tomorrow’s needs.

In short, the revamping was not just a technical upgrade, but a real investment in safety, production continuity, and long-term reliability.

How did the idea of entrusting this project to HSA come about?

The choice stemmed from trust. Entrusting a project of this magnitude—significant both economically and emotionally—meant turning to a partner who knew our reality well and in whom we placed complete confidence. HSA represented both: consolidated experience and a deep understanding of our way of working. It was only natural for them to guide us on this journey.

Which aspects of the project struck you the most?

Above all, the method. From the outset, HSA did not approach us with a rigid or pre-packaged plan, but with the willingness to share the project step by step. It was not a case of “let’s redo everything,” but rather a continuous dialogue between our needs and their advice.

A concrete example was the discussion about a specific motor, which required over a month of dialogue. During that time, we had the opportunity to hear every explanation, evaluate different options, and jointly choose the best solution. This proactive approach—based on listening, discussion, and willingness to propose multiple alternatives—is what we appreciated most and what distinguishes HSA’s way of working.

A Shared Vision

• How has HSA been able to respond to your needs in the past and today?
  HSA has always proven capable of interpreting our needs, adapting to the different stages of our journey. Over time, our requirements have changed, but their availability and ability to listen have remained constant. This has allowed us to build a solid and long-lasting collaboration, based on providing concrete answers to our requests, both yesterday and today.
   
• Is there a key element that, in your opinion, makes this collaboration work so well?
  Without a doubt, trust. It is the ingredient that holds everything together: availability, seriousness, and the ability to face even the most complex challenges together. Beyond the technical side, it is the human dimension of the relationship that makes working with HSA both effective and enjoyable.
   
• What really matters to you in a technical partner?
  For us, the solidity of the organization is fundamental, because it gives us security and ensures continuity. Equally important are people’s expertise and their flexibility in finding solutions. What we value about HSA is their ability to combine technical preparation and continuous training, investing in people. An investment that is then reflected in the way they approach projects and the value they bring to the customer.

Looking Ahead

• How do you envision the evolution of your production plants in the coming years?

This revamping already represents an important step forward in the evolution of our plants. It is likely that, in the not-too-distant future, other lines—even younger ones—will require similar interventions. At the same time, we are looking with interest at the possibility of a new extrusion line, depending on market trends and the Italian context. In any case, our philosophy remains unchanged: we never stop. If an improvement is possible, we analyze it and make it happen. The direction is toward increasingly advanced maintenance, aligned with the Industry 5.0 paradigm.
 

• What role can HS Automation play in this evolution?

HS Automation will continue to play a central role. Indinvest has no intention of changing partners—on the contrary, the collaboration is set to grow further, because it is based on trust, expertise, and a shared vision of the future.

Conclusion

What advice would you give to other companies considering a similar revamping?
Our advice is simple: revamping is a path worth taking. An extrusion line is not discontinued overnight: the P2, in over thirty years of activity, has proven its full value. Investing in a new line is necessary when conditions truly demand it and when major investments are feasible. But when it is possible to maintain and renew what already works, it is worth doing—or at least evaluating.

One word to describe your collaboration with HS Automation
If we had to sum it up in a few words, we would say: mutual respect, ongoing collaboration, synergy, and a relationship of trust that grows over time.