KARL HUGO Blog – Technologies, Innovations, and Achievements

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Trust requires security: Cybersecurity at KARL HUGO

At KARL HUGO, we recognise that cybersecurity is far more than just IT. In an increasingly digital world, it is our responsibility as a company to protect not only our own organisation and employees, but also our customers and partners. On 8 Septemb...

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Moving 120 tonnes safely: custom engineering for the Vianden pumped-storage power plant

How do you replace a 120-tonne machine component at our customer Société Électrique de l’Our (SEO) when space underground is extremely limited and the existing transport solution no longer meets current requirements? The answer lies in a solution th...

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Season kick-off for the Young Dragons: A long-term vision is bearing fruit!

The start of the new football season marks a new chapter for RFC Malmundaria. Following an exceptionally successful season, attention now turns to the future: new sporting ambitions, continued development of the “Frédéric Waseige” Youth Academy and t...

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Process Owner Meeting at KARL HUGO: improving together!

Continuous improvement is an essential part of effective management. Although this may seem to involve standards, KPIs and process descriptions, for us it is primarily about communication: openly discussing challenges and collaborating to find soluti...

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Oncia Community Foundation: Where Technology Meets Humanity

At first glance, technology and humanity do not seem to go hand in hand. Yet nowhere is their connection more evident than in cancer care. While cutting-edge technologies can save lives, people need far more than medical treatment before, during and...

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Non-destructive testing at KARL HUGO: ensuring quality without damaging the component.

In mechanical engineering, every detail contributes to a component's overall quality. Weld seams, in particular, must meet the highest standards as they are crucial for strength, tightness, and operational safety. To give our customers the confidenc...

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Tax-free voluntary overtime has been in place at KARL HUGO since 1 June !

The new regulation on tax-free voluntary overtime has been applied within the company since 1 June 2026. The corresponding law was published on the same day, creating new opportunities for employers and employees alike. For us, this regulation is mu...

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Bike leasing at KARL HUGO: sustainable mobility that pays off

At KARL HUGO, sustainability is not an abstract goal. It is part of our everyday work. This is reflected not only in our production, our energy approach and our environmental management, but also in something very concrete: the way our staff commute...

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KARL HUGO Sponsors Two Bee Colonies

By welcoming two bee colonies to its premises, KARL HUGO is making a tangible contribution to biodiversity, sustainability, and the protection of one of nature’s most important pollinators. Since the beginning of May, two bee colonies have found a h...

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Sustainability at KARL HUGO: Our First CSR Report

With the aim of structuring and transparently presenting our activities in the areas of environmental, social, and corporate governance, we published our first sustainability report in 2025. This report is the result of an intensive, cross-functiona...

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KARL HUGO at CERN: exchanging on the Einstein Telescope and future technologies

Two days at CERN in Geneva: KARL HUGO was represented by CEO Stephan Hugo and Technical Director David Scholzen, who attended an international workshop dedicated to the Einstein Telescope. International exchange on key technologies The event brough...

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Tailor-made Defuelling Solutions for Nuclear Decommissioning by KARL HUGO

Defuelling processes demand the utmost precision, safety and engineering expertise. KARL HUGO develops specialised equipment that can reliably integrate critical loads into existing infrastructures. Equipment Development for the Defuelling Phase Du...

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KARL HUGO part of the Belgian official delegation in Norway

Three days in Oslo, meaningful discussions and valuable new connections: as part of the State Visit of the King and Queen of the Belgians, KARL HUGO joined the official economic delegation in Norway. State Visit with a high-level delegation During...

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Arne Janssens wraps up an emotion-filled season

For the young rider, 2025 was an intense year rich in learning experiences. Marked by victories, doubts, and challenges, it represents a major step forward in the maturity of his sporting development. Rediscovering the taste for victory After a di...

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KARL HUGO at the World Nuclear Exhibition

From November 4 to 6, 2025, KARL HUGO participated in the WNE, the largest international event dedicated to the civil nuclear industry, held in Villepinte, near Paris. The event brought together more than 25,000 professionals and 850 exhibitors from...

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KARL HUGO boosts its machining workshop

KARL HUGO continues its strategy of investing in state-of-the-art equipment with the acquisition of a new MTE FBF-M 8000 moving-column milling machine. “More robust, more powerful, tested and proven, it supports the increased production rate of yoke...

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ISO 14001: turning a challenge into an opportunity!

True to its culture of excellence, KARL HUGO has set itself a new ambitious goal: to achieve ISO 14001 certification in 2026. This initiative formalizes the company’s existing environmental commitments and strengthens its credibility with clients an...

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KARL HUGO and Arne Janssens, shared values

In January 2025, mountain biker Arne Janssens has taken a decisive turn in his athletic career by creating his own, independent team. Driven by strong values, the project is supported by KARL HUGO. “This partnership with KARL HUGO goes far beyond tr...

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5-axis milling machine HERMLE C650 U GEN2 - A strategic technological renewal

In its ongoing commitment to improving the quality, productivity, and versatility of its machining operations, KARL HUGO is expanding its machine park with a new 5-axis milling machine: the HERMLE C650 U GEN2. Whether in the fields of mechanical eng...

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Retrofit of a coating head

Active in the aluminum sector, a European multinational turned to KARL HUGO’s expertise for the complete renovation of an S-shuttle coil coater. While the main structure was preserved, the mechanical roller drive coupling system was completely redes...

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Carbon footprint: a concrete commitment to the environment

In a rapidly evolving industrial environment, where environmental responsibility is becoming a top priority, KARL HUGO has taken a major step forward by conducting a carbon footprint assessment. Objective? To precisely measure the carbon footprint o...

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The 100th Cyclone®KIUBE from IBA has rolled out of KARL HUGO’s production workshop!

KARL HUGO, a Belgian leader in mechanical engineering, and IBA, a global leader in proton therapy, have combined their expertise to develop a revolutionary machine in nuclear medicine: the Cyclone®KIUBE, delivered worldwide. A look back at the succes...

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CORREA FOX-60 gantry milling machine: precision and flexibility

The KARL HUGO milling workshop is equipped with a CORREA FOX-60 gantry milling machine, which offers significant added value for machining large parts, complementing the four vertical lathes perfectly. Weighing a total of 70 tons, the CORREA FOX-60...

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KARL HUGO, the ONE-STOP-SHOP partner for all sectors

At the heart of an international market, KARL HUGO serves a wide range of industries. Whether in healthcare, energy, chemicals, or industrial-scale production, the company supplies numerous multinational corporations, large enterprises, and SMEs, bot...

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Arne Janssens proves himself in the professional team!

In January 2024, young mountain biker Arne Janssens signed a contract with the Swiss team jb BRUNEX Superior Factory Racing. Let’s take a look back on a season rich in emotions. Quickly integrating into this professional structure, renowned for supp...

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Design of a Saw for the Dismantling of a Nuclear Reactor

For 30 years, KARL HUGO has been manufacturing welded mechanical tools for the maintenance and upkeep of nuclear power plants in Belgium, France, and Germany. KARL HUGO's teams put all their expertise to work for large groups by manufacturing tools a...

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State-of-the-Art Equipment for the Milling Workshop

Within its machining workshops, KARL HUGO boasts cutting-edge machines, including a 5-axis CNC milling machine. The 5-axis CNC milling machine HERMLE C52U precisely machines cylindrical parts up to a maximum value of 1000 mm x 810 mm with a weight o...

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KARL HUGO supports the Young Dragons Academy of RFC Malmundaria

In 2018, RFC Malmundaria, a football club from Malmedy founded in 1904, had 7 youth teams, comprising around a hundred players. However, their football training was lacking compared to other regional clubs. “At that time, the club was in dire strait...

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KARL HUGO supports the Oncia Community Foundation

Beyond technological and medical advancements, humanizing healthcare is crucial in the fight against cancer. “Like anyone facing cancer, I felt completely helpless and overwhelmed by the numerous challenges on psychological, familial, physical, prac...

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Arne Janssens, a young mountain biker, joins Switzerland!

On January 1, 2024, Arne Janssens, 23 years old and the 3rd Belgian rider, signed a contract with the professional team jb BRUNEX Superior Factory Racing. Ranked 83rd globally in the UCI standings, he was noticed for his good results during his first...

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A well-deserved retirement for Alex Grieven!

After 37 years of work at KARL HUGO, Alex Grieven, Project Engineer, is retiring. In 1985, after 5 years of industrial engineering studies that began at Gramme and continued at ISIL in Liège, Alex Grieven was hired in an engineering office in Bergen...

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Design of a Textile Machine Prototype

Serel Industrie, a Belgian company active in the textile industry, has enlisted the Engineering Department of KARL HUGO to develop a new prototype for measuring fabric thickness. Designed by the client, this measuring bridge, which controls material...

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Focus on KARL HUGO's Boring Workshop

KARL HUGO has a complete CNC workshop for carrying out large-scale boring work. KARL HUGO's workshop features two state-of-the-art TOS WHN 13 horizontal boring machines. These tooling machines enable precise shaping of the interior of a cylinder or...

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KARL HUGO continues its commitment as a player in sustainable development

KARL HUGO, a Belgian flagship in mechanical engineering, takes another step in its sustainability policy initiated over 10 years ago. The company is building a secure reception infrastructure for its employees who commute by bicycle. KARL HUGO place...

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Arne Janssens: Impressive Performances in Elite Category!

Since January 2022, KARL HUGO has been supporting Arne Janssens, a talented young mountain biker from the German-speaking region of Belgium, who rides for the BH-Wallonie MTB Team. In late April 2023, Arne enters the Top 100 in the world rankings f...

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KARL HUGO invests in the training of young people

As part of its collaboration with KARL HUGO, the ZAWM (Center for Vocational Training for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in the German-speaking Community of Belgium organized the practical welding examination for 3rd-year apprentices in metal...

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KARL HUGO active in the glass industry

KARL HUGO is active in a wide range of sectors, both in Europe and worldwide. One of these is the glass industry, particularly the construction and automobile sectors. The company has manufactured and assembled presses for one of the world’s leading...

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Where would machines be without know-how?

The KARL HUGO milling workshop is equipped with 4 CNC vertical lathes, 4 CNC horizontal lathes and 1 conventional horizontal lathe. Behind each of these machines are competent and motivated employees. Thomas, Raphaël and Patrick are experienced mill...

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How KARL HUGO inspires vocation from an early age

Developing relationships between schools and companies enables young people to become aware of exciting technical professions. Since being founded in 1970, KARL HUGO has trained 70 apprentices. On 22nd May 2022, KARL HUGO hosted Zukunft Metall, an...

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Arne Janssens, a successful 2022 season!

Despite coming off his bike on several occasions, Arne Janssens, the young mountain biker, had a great season, in the U23 - Promising category with the BH-Wallonia MTB Team. The beginning of the season was synonymous with bad luck for Arne. “During...

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CAD-CAM, the intelligent technology

Karl Hugo’s ambition is to be able to respond to complex requests and to offer custom-made products. The use of CAD-CAM technology allows the company to design a part and programme its manufacturing process with extreme precision. CAD-CAM software...

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KARL HUGO makes its mark in the nuclear sector

KARL HUGO has put its skills at the disposal of large Belgian and foreign industrial companies that operate nuclear power plants. For almost 30 years, KARL HUGO has been manufacturing mechanically welded parts for the maintenance and servicing of...

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New addition to the milling shop

In May 2022 a CORREA XPERTA 25 was added to the KARL HUGO machine portfolio. The new mobile bed milling machine has a 2,500 stroke and an automatic milling head with 6,000 rpm. The table covers an area of 2,800 x 1,000 mm with a maximum load of 6,...

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KARL HUGO has invested more than 16 million euros in its production facilities in 8 years

KARL HUGO, a Belgian flagship in the mechanical and metal sector, has witnessed a significant increase in orders, a trend which has already been maintained for several years. To manage this growth in an optimal way, the company is focusing on devel...

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Milling CAD-CAM, a technological breakthrough at KARL HUGO!

Every day, new software is being implemented to enable companies to remain competitive. At the end of March 2022, KARL HUGO installed the digital CAD-CAM process on all nine of its milling machines. CAD-CAM software (Computer-Aided Design - Comput...

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The Future of Metal/Zukunft Metall at KARL HUGO!

On Sunday 22 May, KARL HUGO hosted the 2022 edition of Zukunft Metall. The whole company was there to welcome more than 1,000 visitors! 35 schools and companies specialised in the metal sector were present to make the young generation aware of exci...

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Retrofitting of a 40-year-old coater!

With almost 30 years of expertise in the field, KARL HUGO designs and builds lacquer heads (Coil Coaters). They are recognised for their excellence and cutting-edge technology. The Coil Coater allows a coat of paint to be applied to sheet metal at...

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New turning acquisition

A new CNC vertical lathe, the FREMTAS22FD20FR3, has taken its place at the heart of KARL HUGO’s latest generation of machinery. Recently installed, the company’s fourth vertical lathe, equipped with a 2000 mm diameter table, has been added to the...

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Recruit and train future KARL HUGO employees

The shortage of skilled workers is at an all-time high in Belgium. It is affecting all sectors. Some 56% of SME owners who are looking to take on staff, can either find no candidates, or very few. The diversity of jobs in the metals sector is diff...

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New acquisition for the milling workshop

A new traveling column milling machine has taken its place within the machinery belonging to KARL HUGO, the CORREA NORMA L-60. The milling workshop now has a full range of up to the minute machinery. As a general rule, KARL HUGO does not keep any...

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Trans-pallet trailer made by KARL HUGO

Circuit Foil, an enterprise recognised globally for its production of high quality electrolytic copper sheeting, has called on the expertise of KARL HUGO to design a fully made to measure trans-pallet trailer. In order to transport the racks on wh...

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KARL HUGO, an enterprise undergoing rapid expansion!

Over these past five years, KARL HUGO has been massively investing in its production capacities in order to take on substantial and diverse types of order. The enterprise has recruited fifteen new persons in three years! In view of these investme...

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A boost for milling!

Three new milling machines have taken pride of place at the heart of the KARL HUGO machine fleet. These include the prestigious CORREA FOX 60 gantry milling machine, the "Rolls Royce" of 5-axis milling machines, the well named HERMLE C52 and, lastl...

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Coil coater retrofit

Thanks to its expertise as a coater manufacturer, KARL HUGO has developed a made-to-measure casing that fits directly onto the coil coaters. This ensures better protection of operators during production. Certain companies operating within the alum...

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New finishing workshop and new spray booth!

The sixth production workshop on the KARL HUGO site came into service in June 2020. It adjoins another existing workshop, and together they form a new structure dedicated to the finishing phase, to painting, assembly and shipping. It incorporates a...

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KARL HUGO is 50 years young!

Created on 1st May 1970, by Karl-Joseph Hugo and his wife Regina Theissen, KARL HUGO has lived through five decades. From the removal of European borders to the computer age, and including the worst ever steel sector crisis, KARL HUGO has made its...

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Guided by values...

“Ordnung ist halbe Leben” (“Order is half of life”). That was the mantra by which Karl-Joseph Hugo lived his entire life. This saying has become an everyday reality, applied by all members of the KARL HUGO company, and has been so for the past 50...

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KARL HUGO marks its anniversary with a brand-new web site

For its 50th anniversary, the company has decided to comprehensively revise its web site and refresh its films. Over a period of five years, the entire company has undergone in-depth renewal at every level. This has included new machines, new offices...

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KARL HUGO optimises a pressure test for a global catalytic converter component manufacturer.

The customer requirements were to increase the hourly test rate, review the ergonomics and optimise a pressure test process. KARL HUGO has developed a new 105 bar pressure vessel… To guarantee the quality of the product, the component manufacturer...

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KARL HUGO begins the construction of a new finishing workshop.

After obtaining the building permit in October, the excavators are once more in action on the KARL HUGO site. The first foundations for this sixth production workshop will soon be laid. Built against an existing workshop, it will be entirely dedica...

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KARL HUGO supports Tom Kohnen, a budding motorcycling champion!

What does a young motorcycling champion, who has been a regular podium visitor in his category (600 cm3) for the past two years, have in common with a mechanical engineering company? An exchange of views between two company directors and a young ra...

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“Efficiency is the sum of the details we have optimised”

Following a first year of professional employment during which he supervised the prototyping of a particle accelerator for a major healthcare sector player, Philip Andres becomes KARL HUGO’s new assembly process manager at the age of only 26. The...

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KARL HUGO to join trade mission to visit South Korea

As skills ambassadors for the Ostbelgien region, the directors of KARL HUGO will have the honour of meeting South Korean economic actors during the course of a planned trade mission to the country between 24 and 28 March 2019. Organised by the AWEX...

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KARL HUGO has invested more than 9.5 million Euros in its production equipment.

The completion of the works on the new administrative building brings to an end five consecutive years of investment in the renewal of the machines stock, and the renovation of the workshops and offices. A whole new look for KARL HUGO, which still...

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KARL HUGO takes part in the ‘SEPEM Industries North’ trade fair!

From January 29th to 31st 2019, the 7th edition of this show will take place in Douai, where more than 700 exhibitors will together be responding to the needs of factories and production sites. Pumps, process, handling equipment and industrial fluid...

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Design and manufacture of coil coaters - made by KARL HUGO!

Used mainly in metal processing for applications in the automotive and construction sectors, these machines represent a particular area of expertise within the company, that has been recognised for over 20 years. New customer, new order! Thomas Re...

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Getting better every day!

Optimisation of organisation, increased accountability and better interaction, ISO 9001:2015 certification is seen by KARL HUGO as a genuine opportunity! “We started from a blank sheet, explains Bernd Hugo, CEO and Financial Director of KARL HUGO. T...

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Complete overhaul of the KARL HUGO administration building

The company is equipping itself with the comprehensive and effective tools to match its resolutely forward-looking vision. After having upgraded its fleet of machines and all the workshops - including insulation, glazing, heating, lighting and air...

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Equipment for the pharmaceutical sector: 20 years of expertise!

Since 1997, KARL HUGO has been producing defrosting trays for GSK Biologicals, a multinational company actively involved in the development and production of vaccines that are distributed worldwide. It all started with an initial order for 5 trays...

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MADE IN EAST BELGIUM at KARL HUGO

On Monday 2 October 2017, the KARL HUGO Company played host to 170 Belgian business leaders as part of the MADE IN EAST BELGIUM event, jointly organised by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Liege-Verviers-Namur and of Eupen-Malmedy-St.Vith....

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Vertical turning of large workpieces, a major asset!

KARL HUGO's fleet of machinery includes a special unit comprising three vertical CNC lathes for machining workpieces up to 3 metres in diameter. With its latest generation machinery, KARL HUGO is an all-round player in the field of single-item and...

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Steel coil production line infeed modification

At the request of ARCELORMITTAL, KARL HUGO applied its cost-engineering method to the creation and the integration of a coil scrap rewinder and a disposal trolley. The project was managed by the KARL HUGO Engineering Department. "The advantage for...

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A work placement with KARL HUGO? A long tradition!

Since its creation, KARL HUGO has made a habit of accepting one or more industrial engineering students for a period of work placement. This year, it is David who is the beneficiary of a comprehensive professional training programme. He will be sp...

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Product workshop re-lighting campaign

The incorporation of LED lighting throughout all three production workshops, a further stage in KARL HUGO’s comprehensive policy of well-being at work. More than 350 LED lights now replace the traditional neon lights in the machining, welding and...

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State Visit to the Netherlands for KARL HUGO

Following the success of a first State Visit to Poland, KARL HUGO will be accompanying His Majesty King Philippe and an official delegation to the Netherlands, during the month of November 2016. It's an opportunity for the company to showcase its kn...

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Stock management: a strategic choice!

KARL HUGO is optimising its stock management by acquiring an automated storage tower. “Faced with a growing number of orders and an increase in the management of small parts, we needed to find an efficient solution” explains Stephan Hugo, the compa...

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KARL HUGO implements cost engineering practices: a winning investment for the customer

With its recognised expertise, KARL HUGO guides its customers through a cost engineering approach within the field of customised sub-assembly and machine production. KARL HUGO positions itself as a genuine partner from the start of the design phas...

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KARL HUGO invests: acquisition of a new milling machine specialised in the machining of large products.

The brand new MTE FBF-M 8000, which was installed only recently, replaces an existing machine. More powerful, this new milling machine features a 1500 mm W axis and has a fixed table (5000x2500) and a 360° rotary table (2500x2000). With a vertical...

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Extension of the work run of the Panasonic TA 1900 WGH welding robot to 24.5 metres.

In the workshops of KARL HUGO, the Panasonic TA 1900 WGH welding robot has had its work run extended from 13 to 24.5 m. Thanks to this new extension, the robot is now capable of manufacturing large monolithic tanks. Previously, such tanks had to be...

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The next generation is already there!

Tobias, Arthur and Jeremy began their apprenticeship at KARL HUGO at the start of the school year 2015. Over the next three years, they will follow a work-linked training course for the professions of turner, milling machine operator, and welder. 4...

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