Even the first version is an outstanding milling machine. Now, the second generation of the DMU 60 eVo from manufacturer DMG Mori is installed in the Borba GmbH production hall: It meets the most demanding requirements in the five-axis universal machining of workpieces up to a diameter of 700 millimetres, a height of 550 millimetres and a weight of 500 kilograms. The milling machine’s further-developed design ensures significantly greater stability and accuracy, whilst offering a 40 per cent larger working area. The manufacturer has also taken another leap forward in terms of precision, versatility and productivity. The automation system can be controlled just as conveniently and easily directly via the machine control panel.

Speed, precision and versatility combined efficiently: the Portatec machining centre is a valuable new addition to the Borba GmbH production facilities. Speeds of up to 28,000 revolutions per minute ensure maximum precision. Large workpieces can be machined just as effectively as small, delicate parts, all held securely in place by 24 vacuum fields. Rapid tool changes and rapid traverse movements enable maximum efficiency and productivity. Material thicknesses ranging from 0.5 to 30 millimetres are machined with ease; thanks to its specialised design, it also delivers optimum results with non-ferrous metals such as aluminium or brass. With an even broader range of capabilities, the Portatec machining centre is the perfect complement to the existing DMG machining centres, ideally suited to both one-off production and series production. „This strengthens our competitiveness and enables us to reliably meet virtually any customer requirement,“ says Tim Möller, Head of the Milling Department.

Borba products fulfil the highest customer requirements, both nationally and internationally. CNC lathe operators and milling cutters are constantly being sought, and company boss Fehim von Borstel is particularly keen to recruit more employees from the local area. „It is important for us to become even more visible in the region as a good employer that offers many benefits“ - he cites 12.5 salaries, 30 days' holiday and a company pension as examples. This is why the existing partnership with the Itzehoe Eagles has been intensified once again: Their second men's team now plays in the 2nd regional basketball league under the name Borba Eagles Itzehoe.

This is a first in the Eagles„ history, and coach Dennis Wesselkamp is proud of it: “We are delighted about this connection to a strong Itzehoe-based company and are doing everything we can to represent Borba in northern Germany in the best possible way.„ The main aim of the second men's team is to support young players in their development. This fits in very well with Borba, says Fehim von Borstel: “A willingness to perform, high motivation and team-orientated work are exactly the qualities that we also want from our employees."

Special stainless steel products instead of basketball, factory instead of training hall: Shaquille Rombley visited the Itzehoe precision engineering company before the Itzehoe Eagles' Borba home game against the SBB Baskets Wolmirstedt in the play-off quarter-finals of the BARMER 2nd Basketball Bundesliga. Company boss Fehim von Borstel showed him how products for industries such as aviation, mechanical engineering and medical technology are manufactured with the utmost precision.

„The order books are full,“ said von Borstel, but made it clear what Borba GmbH is missing: employees and trainees. The company is looking for CNC turners and millers, production assistants as well as industrial and office clerks. The managing director also welcomes career changers, who are taught everything they need to know: continuous training is a matter of course at Borba.

„We rely heavily on employees from the region,“ says the Managing Director. The innovative and forward-looking family business attaches great importance to offering its employees a lot, including free ice cream: the ice cream van comes to the company premises every week.

Interested in Borba as an employer? Go to the contact here.

EN 9100:2018 - the TÜV NORD certificate for the management system hangs in the foyer of Borba GmbH. And quite rightly so, as has now been confirmed by TÜV NORD: Following the re-certification of aviation conformity last year, this year's surveillance audit at the company was again successful.

The auditors meticulously scrutinised the internal audit documents, operational risk management, all relevant processes in the company, environmental aspects, occupational safety and much more.

There were no deviations, so that Thomas Lehmann, member of the Executive Board, was able to state with satisfaction: „The path we have taken has been confirmed once again.“

The order situation: very good. Borba GmbH supplies its customers with innovative products of the highest quality, and there is plenty to do in the workshops on Störfischerstraße in Itzehoe. The company also wants to fulfil orders reliably in the long term, which is why it is constantly on the lookout for new employees. Well-paid positions are available, CNC turners and millers are just as welcome as personnel to operate the machines. A lateral entry is possible at any time - the most important requirements are technical understanding and reliability.

More speed. More efficiency. More safety. No company boss would say no. Felix Lenkeit, responsible for innovation at Borba GmbH, has succeeded in combining all three advantages. The reward was a prize in the thesis competition of the IZET innovation centre in Itzehoe.

As a mechanical engineering student, Lenkeit utilised the close connection between Borba and Esko Graphics in the innovation room. For his Bachelor's thesis, he designed a roller for Esko, while during his Master's thesis it was built, tested and optimised at Borba. The 26-year-old says that he was able to incorporate a lot of experience and knowledge from both companies.

Workflow improved

The result: The roller installed by Esko in the machines manufactured there improves the automated workflow. For example, loading and, above all, unloading are faster thanks to the many assemblies that are now integrated, the susceptibility to errors has been reduced and thus process reliability increased, Lenkeit describes.

He submitted his bachelor's and master's theses on the new generation of rollers to the thesis competition. A presentation was then required on the „Optimisation of the photopolymer plate mounting of a vacuum roller“. And in the end, Lenkeit was delighted to take third place.