Kasto Equipment Powers Austrian Tube Stockholder’s Efficiency and Safety

Since 1970, Austrian tube stockholder Karl Mertl Handelsges in Schwechat has relied on sawing equipment from the renowned German company Kasto (www.kasto.com). The original EBS 400 U hacksaw remains in operation today, used for maintenance and repairs. The company is now managed by the third and fourth generations of the Gruscher family, with both daughters actively involved in management and son-in-law Jürgen Spannraft serving as CEO since 2019.

Operating from a spacious 30,000 m² warehouse, the 90-employee stockholder maintains an impressive inventory of 8,000 tonnes of steel tube, primarily 7 meters long, ranging from 3 to 660 mm in diameter, with wall thicknesses from 0.5 to 100 mm. Kasto bandsaws and a modern hacksaw efficiently cut stock to length for delivery to customers across Europe.

In 2012, as the existing manual storage system with 1,012 cassettes reached capacity, Mertl undertook a significant expansion, constructing a new warehouse and installing a Kasto Unicompact automated honeycomb storage system. This system, featuring 2,633 cassettes and serviced by an overhead gantry crane, was complemented by additional automatic bandsaws to enhance cutting capacity and efficiency. It integrates seamlessly with Mertl’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, allowing for automated order processing.

Marie Gruscher noted, “Choosing Kasto for this investment was an easy decision. We were already impressed with the quality of their products and their exceptional service. Their proposed solution perfectly met our needs and integrated smoothly with our packaging machine.”

The new facility has not only expanded storage capabilities but also enhanced operational safety by allowing goods to be brought to the operator, reducing manual handling. This innovation has significantly lowered the risk of accidents in the warehouse.

Currently, Mertl operates 10 Kasto bandsaw machines, including the KASTOtec horizontal model, which features an intelligent control system that stores cutting parameters, making it ideal for large series production and cutting tough materials using bi-metal or carbide saw bands. The KASTOtwin serves as a versatile general-purpose bandsaw, while the compact KASTOssb excels in precise and rapid cuts in series production, making it particularly suitable for bundle cutting.