It has been more than 3 years since Trefimet visited Aztec lands for the first time, trying to get closer commercially to a country that has many things in common with Chile, such as its language, culture, passion for football, to name a few.
We are very pleased and proud to tell you that we have been working with Grupo Mexico's foundry for more than a year now, supplying them with our products on a continuous basis.
It is important to emphasise, as in previous news, that none of this would have been possible without the hard work, perseverance, passion and dedication put in every day by each of the members of the Trefimet family, without this tenacity, achieving these objectives would not have been possible.
In order not to deviate from the main topic, we would like to tell you that our colleagues Fernando Erdmann and Fernando Rencoret, were visiting the last week of June in Nacozari - Mexico, week in which they could be in contact with the people of Grupo Mexico and receive their impressions about our products and after-sales service.
During this visit, the focus was particularly on training operators on the use of Trefimet thermal lances with FCT connector and Trefimet Two in one portalanzas. They also trained mechanics on the maintenance of this equipment (Trefimet Two in one portalanzas).
To give a more detailed account of what happened during our colleagues' stay in Nacozari, Fernando Rencoret, Sales Executive for Latin America, has a short report to give us after his visit to North America.
"In June 2018, Trefimet visited one of its international clients, a great ally in Mexico... Metalúrgica de Cobre, part of Grupo México.
At Metalúrgica de Cobre we were cordially received by the engineers Mr. Antonio Puente, Superintendent of the Teniente Reactor and P.S. converters, Mr. Francisco Canchola, Head of the Instantaneous Furnace and Mr. Adolfo Sánchez, Head of Converters and Teniente Reactor.
We were present together with our Commercial Director, Fernando Erdmann Green.
During the visit it was possible to consolidate what has been built up in recent months, that is, teamwork between companies thanks to the focus that both companies maintain within their policies; safety and efficiency in the operations of the smelter.
Security
This aspect was put into practice and reinforced during the trainings that were carried out by Trefimet personnel to the furnace tapping operators and maintenance personnel.
There were 30 people in three different groups, who were taught the characteristics of the Trefimet thermal lances with FCT connector, operation techniques when opening a furnace indentation (metal and slag), risk identification during opening of passages, characteristics of the Trefimet two in one portalanza, operation of its integrated safety valve, mode of use, safety aspects, maintenance programme for portalanzas, among other points.
They highlighted the use of Portalanzas as they felt much safer using it due to its safety valve and the lack of oxygen leakage.
Efficiency
This aspect was worked on with the operators during the training sessions on the FCT quick connector system incorporated in the Trefimet lances to join lances together and make the most of the balances generated in the operation.
The operators highlighted this system as easy and safe because every time they need to "tie" (join) the lances together, they only need to press them together with their hands, as opposed to what they used to have to do with the old system of "coupling" with a piece of joint pipe, which consisted of hitting hard to join two pipes.
This new system has allowed them to make full use of the lances, thanks to the easy connection that the FCT connector allows, avoiding the loss of pieces as was previously the case.
They also point out that a thermal lance such as the Trefimet lance makes it easier and faster to open a furnace indentation passage, as it has more focused energy than the common paipa used previously, to the point that to open, they used to use between 6 to 8 pipes, as opposed to what happens today, with 1 or 1.5 Trefimet thermal lances, they open the passage and much faster.
"For me it was a very rewarding experience as I could perceive in a tangible way that all the operators I trained feel more comfortable and safer using Trefimet equipment".
In turn, to hear from the Superintendence of Operations and Furnace Managers that the backing, support and professionalism provided by Trefimet is what they, as Metalúrgica de Cobre and Grupo México, need from their suppliers.
We will keep an eye out for further news from our colleagues Fernando Erdmann and Fernando Rencoret.