In modern manufacturing, technology is not just a tool - it is the foundation for a safe working environment, employee well-being, and high production efficiency. VALPRO purposefully develops its production capacity by implementing innovative and customized solutions that improve the work environment, enhance quality, and promote the company’s sustainable growth. Particular attention is paid to automation and energy efficiency, creating an environment where technology works for people.

Chairman of the Board Aivars Flemings: “This development is driven by our people - a professional engineering team that actively seeks solutions and keeps pace with global trends, as well as employees in production and support functions who, with their experience and practical insight, help successfully implement these solutions in daily operations. Often, it is precisely the knowledge of colleagues who work with the equipment on a daily basis that enables us to find the most efficient and sustainable solutions. By working hand in hand, we can achieve the best results and confidently strengthen VALPRO’s position in the international market.”

A new steel sheet cutting line from coil has been installed in the metal blanks workshop, along with five advanced progressive stamping tools developed for its operation. Head of the Technical Department, Rolands Rajeckis: “The new line combines coil unwinding, strip straightening, precise feeding, and pressing into a single automated process, replacing the previous manual work. The developed progressive stamping tools enable multiple operations to be performed sequentially within one technological cycle, significantly reducing the amount of manual labor. In total, 18 previous manual operations have been optimized, lowering the risks of errors and production interruptions while improving the stability of production flow and the predictability of lead times. This allows for more accurate production planning, ensures higher quality, and enables a more flexible response to orders of varying volumes, increasing the company’s capacity to meet higher demand.’’

At the end of 2025, a significant improvement in the deep drawing process of fire extinguisher bodies was initiated and completed in the first quarter of 2026 - the acquisition of four new hydraulic presses. Two of them have been integrated into existing production processes, increasing productivity by 25%. The other two presses have been used to establish a separate production line for processing smaller and non-standard batches. As a result, the main production is relieved, setup times and the frequency of tool changes are reduced. The introduction of the new equipment also lowers the risk of downtime, ensuring the ability to continue production using alternative machines.

Maintenance Section Supervisor Dzintars Zariņš highlights significant benefits: “The new presses are considerably more efficient - they practically have no daily hydraulic oil consumption, ensuring substantial resource savings in the long term. Whereas previously two presses consumed an average of 400-500 liters of oil per month, the new equipment only requires oil changes during scheduled maintenance.” Meanwhile, Production Supervisor of Workshop No. 3, Romāns Šulcs, emphasizes improvements in work quality: “The new presses significantly improve our daily operations. They allow us to increase the production capacity of standard deep drawing products while simultaneously handling smaller-volume orders efficiently, without disrupting the main production process. The team is very satisfied with the new equipment - work has become more stable, with higher capacity and fewer unplanned stoppages. Workplace safety is also a major benefit - the machines are equipped with modern sensors and laser-based solutions that prevent operators from entering hazardous zones. When approaching moving parts, the equipment automatically stops the process.”

Mechanical processing, locksmith work, as well as the production of tools and equipment for both internal needs and external services take place in VALPRO’s Workshop No. 4. To ensure more efficient and higher-quality production of metal marking dies, a new EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) die sinking machine has been installed in the workshop. Head of the Technical Department, Rolands Rajeckis: “The previously used equipment was outdated and costly. In the event of a breakdown, there was a high risk of downtime, as we would not have been able to ensure the in-house production of marking dies. The new machine allows us to manufacture marking dies up to six times faster than before, while also ensuring higher precision and quality. The machine is more compact and has a larger working area, enabling the processing of larger parts. This investment not only increases production capacity and strengthens the company’s competitiveness, but also opens opportunities to provide new types of outsourcing services to other companies using dies and metal marking tools.”

Part of these investments have been implemented with co-financing from the Recovery Fund and support from ALTUM. The company’s development continues - several new projects are currently in an active phase, related to the modernization of production equipment and infrastructure improvements. VALPRO is purposefully moving towards even more modern, efficient, and sustainable manufacturing, where technological development goes hand in hand with employee safety and well-being.

About the Recovery Fund

The Recovery Fund (Recovery and Resilience Facility) is a centrally managed budget program of the European Commission, established in addition to the EU’s multiannual budget for the 2021–2027 planning period. Its objective is to support reforms and investments related to the transition to a green and digital economy, as well as to mitigate the social and economic impact of the crisis. A total of €1.97 billion is planned to be invested in Latvia’s economy from the Recovery Fund by the end of 2026, implementing reforms and investments across all six areas of activity: Climate and Energy (including REPowerEU), Digital Transformation, Reduction of Inequality, Economic Transformation, Health, and the Rule of Law. More information: www.esfondi.lv.