Under the slogan ‘You name it, we make it’, Berkoa works manufacturing machine tools with a level of specialisation that allows it to apply criteria of energy efficiency, responsible use of materials and waste reduction from the very beginning.
Under the slogan ‘You name it, we make it’, Berkoa manufactures new machine tools, specialising in the design and development of customised solutions for sectors such as the automotive, railway, agricultural, electrical and capital goods industries. Its motto perfectly reflects its work philosophy: Berkoa adapts to the customer’s needs and develops turnkey machines from design to start-up. The degree of customisation that each design acquires allows Berkoa to apply energy efficiency, responsible use of materials and waste reduction criteria right from the start.
The company is clearly committed to machine retrofitting as a strategic tool to promote the circular economy in the sector and to extend the useful life of the equipment, reducing the need for new investments in machinery. The latest machine retrofitted by Berkoa has been a Danobat Toyoda, which has achieved a significant improvement in its performance and efficiency. They have also carried out retrofittings on machines of well-known brands such as Voumard, Danobat, Trevisan, Tacchella, Kondia or Max-Muller.
Through retrofitting, it boosts the circular economy and extends the service life of equipment, thus saving money.
Its sustainability policy is based on efficient manufacturing, extending its life cycle and reducing the environmental impact of industrial production. And this is not something new. Since its beginnings, Berkoa has been committed to integrating solutions that contribute to a more efficient and sustainable industry, always meeting the needs of its customers. A clear example of this commitment is the development of rotary friction welding machines. This is the case of the BFW-40/2000 rotary friction welding machine, which they manufacture for IZAR Cutting Tools, a leading company in cutting tools. This machine allows parts to be welded with great precision and high performance, and integrates an automatic turning system to eliminate burrs after welding. Thanks to this technology, IZAR has been able to reduce manufacturing costs and improve the performance of its products. This project has also led to progress by integrating the BLSC 4.0 controller, co-designed with Lortek, which has increased the efficiency of the process and improved its traceability. At a strategic level, the company is clearly committed to updating existing machinery using retrofitting technologies, which allows it to reduce industrial waste, extend its durability and minimise the consumption of resources. It also integrates energy efficiency criteria into its facilities and processes.
As a cooperative located in Elgoibar, Berkoa maintains a strong commitment to the local social and economic environment. It actively participates in community, sporting and cultural initiatives, and works closely with vocational training centres, as it considers them to be fundamental for the future of the industry.
In fact, a significant part of its current workforce is made up of people from VET backgrounds, which further reinforces its interest in promoting and nurturing this collaboration. A good example of this commitment is the development of the IkasMak 5.1 machine, designed specifically for vocational training centres (VET).
It combines lathe and milling machine functions, both in manual and CNC mode, and is designed for teaching advanced manufacturing technologies. It includes networked sensors that collect real-time operating data, as well as a virtual reality module to train students safely and effectively. With this, Berkoa is not only committed to a smarter and more sustainable industry, but also to quality technical training that prepares new generations for the challenges of the future.
Berkoa is part of an industry that knows how to adapt to the future, incorporating digital technology, automation and tools that make it possible to foresee faults, optimise their parameterisation and improve their operation from the first minute, thus extending the life of the equipment.
Now, one of its main challenges in the short term is to advance in a new project together with Lortek and VORS Control, in which they have developed a digital twin of the forging actuator and the welding process. This project is a clear example of the value of collaboration between industrial companies, technology centres and university spinoffs.
Source: Diario Vasco
