The Krah Community Meeting 2019
After the last Community Meeting 2015 in Italy, we have invited our partners, customers and representatives from all over the world again last autumn to join us for the next community meeting in Argentina in spring 2019. Although the chance was unique, as two of our latest generation KR800 MAX machines were on their way to Argentina for being installed in the beginning of 2019, we hoped for but did not expect too high participation, due to the event taking place at the other end of the world for most of the people.
But thankfully, we were proved completely wrong and over 30 people from all around the globe registered and took their flights. Coming from Europe, Asia, Africa, America mostly with journeys between 12-30 hours we finally all met on 10 March 2019 in Buenos Aires.
Mr. Alexander Krah
The biggest Krah community in history could start!
In the evening we were warmly welcomed by our host Krah America Latina with a very nice reception, including obligatory tango dancers, Argentinian traditional music, food and drinks, like the incomparable Malbec red wine. It was the perfect start to getting to know and/or meeting each other again. Already then new alliances have been created, new friends were made and old friendships restored.
Tango dancers
Day 1 - 11 March
On 11 March the day started with an early conference session, but thanks to the time difference (-4 hours compared to German time) nearly everybody was already awake since long and ready to hear a lot of news about the Krah pipe systems, its applications, developments etc. During the day we learned many things about different applications and projects of Krah pipes at the most various locations around the world. Some of the technical reports, like fish farms in South America and oil separators in Estonia can be found in this newsletter as well. Furthermore, technical presentations regarding improvement of the production in special cases were being held, providing the audience with a lot of new input, ideas and information.
After a long conference session, it was time for a little bit of fun and sightseeing in Buenos Aires. We started a coach tour visiting the most famous places of Argentina`s capital such as La Boca, with its worldwide famous soccer team and stadium Boca Juniors and its picturesque streets of Caminito. After we strolled through the colorful little alleys we continued our tour to Plaza de Mayo, the Casa Rosada – the official seat of the government – and the Obelisco, the symbol of Buenos Aires. A typical Argentinian dinner in the restaurant Rio Alba with a lot of meat and a little bit of good Argentinian red wine rounded off the day perfectly.
Famous and fabulous Malbec red wine
Day 2 - 12 March
In the next morning it was already time to check out from our nice conference hotel in Puerto Madero to travel to San Juan, in the very East of Argentina, close to the Andes and the Chilean border. But before, we went to visit the local Krah Pipe Production facility, where two older versions of the Krah pipe production lines are installed and have been running happily and efficiently for now already 13 and 5 years. It was a very good opportunity for all participants to see on-site the changes and developments that have been done on the machine during the last years and between the different plant versions. Also, to make a comparison with their own production and in contrast to the two brand new machines they were going to see in San Juan the following day. After that informative company tour, we boarded a catamaran to visit the famous and impressive Paraná Delta, just outside the capital of Buenos Aires to take a nice cruise through some of the uncountable arms of the river.
Although it was sadly also a little wet from above, we really enjoyed the unforgettable trip to an amazing part of the Argentinian nature before heading to the airport to catch our two hours flight to San Juan, crossing the really huge and very versatile country of Argentina. Coming from a fairly cold Buenos Aires of only about 20°, San Juan welcomed us with a nice temperature of still 25° in the night.
Catamaran tour to Paraná Delta Nightlife Argentinian style
Day 3 - 13 March
The next day was a very important day for our host Krah America Latina as they have invited 150 people for the inauguration of their second plant in San Juan. This new plant covers an area of approximately 3000 sqm, nearly the double of the first plant in Buenos Aires, with „only“ 1600 sqm. For now, two brand new KR 800 MAX pipe production machines have been installed, firstly, mainly to serve a local pressure pipe project of DN/ID 1300 mm with 10 bar.
We were very proud to be able to attend this event, representing the whole Krah Community with over 30 people from all around world. But not only for Krah America Latina it was an important day, also for the complete region of San Juan it is a great benefit to have a new plant there, providing approximately 50 new jobs. So even the governor, Sergio Uñac and other high-level politicians followed the invitation to open this factory, accompanied by local television stations.
The inauguration ceremony was followed by a wonderful Argentinian barbecue in an incredible biological winery at the foot of the Andes (https://www.fincasierrasazules.com.ar/). There was time for conversations, to relax and enjoy the stunning view over the vineyards. A small guided tour of the winery gave us an insight into the work of a winemaker and explained the way from the grape into the bottle.
This day was really one of the highlights of the whole event, considering the beautiful ceremony of the inauguration to be rounded off with the lunch in an unforgettable setting.
Day 4 - 14 March
Thursday was already the last day of this year's meeting. Starting with another conference session in which the technical manager of Krah Germany presented the new developments of the production machines to the audience, followed by some speeches about news regarding the standardization of Krah pipes and other interesting topics, such as the repair of existing pipe systems with Krah pipes. After lunch we headed back to Buenos Aires for a very nice last farewell dinner in Puerto Madero.
Farewell
All days of the event were filled with intense technical and commercial discussions, the creation of new alliances and friendships, good food in a very friendly and relaxed yet concentrated atmosphere. The great success and the positive feedback of the participants have showed us, that there is a high demand for a personal exchange everyone to two years and we are looking forward to arranging the next community meeting in late 2020 or early 2021.
Author:
Katrin Harbi