LOTZ has been awarded an order for torch cutting machines for a new round jumbo caster. The supply of the complete cutting plant includes heavy duty cutting machines for round blooms of a diameter up to incredible 1200 mm which will be the first of its kind in the world. ln order to cut special high alloy and stainless steel grades the machines come with an iron powder supply system and many other special features for this unique cutting plant.

Alpine Metal Tech Germany GmbH (AMT) has issued the following rectification in favour of LOTZ Cutting :

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Alpine Metal Tech Germany GmbH, Kochstraße 2, 66763 Dillingen / Germany, represented by its Managing Director Michael Kissel

expressly declares to

Lotz Cutting GmbH, Robert-Bosch-Straße 3, 65719 Hofheim / Germany, represented by its Managing Director Mattias Lotz

for use towards any third party:

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To whom it may concern

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​1. Customer information being untrue, anti-competitive and unfair

Back in November 2017, we sent a document with the title "Customer Information Regarding Gega products: Legal proceedings initiated Against Lotz Cutting Over Product Imitation" to our business partners. In this document we informed that we had filed a lawsuit against our competitor LOTZ Cutting GmbH for “imitation of GEGA products” and “deception of origin” with regards to our cutting nozzle series SHEL.

On February 6, 2018 the district court of Frankfurt am Main / Germany, issued a preliminary injunction against us and in favour of Lotz Cutting GmbH, prohibiting to use and to spread the aforementioned “customer information” ruling the customer information being untrue, anti-competitive and unfair.

We recognized in court the injunction to be final and irrevocable. In order to comply with this ruling, we do not send this document to any third party anymore and we have asked our representatives to refrain from doing so, either.

In case you nevertheless may have received this “customer information” against the court ruling, please disregard the content of this document. Sources who unlawfully still leak this letter do not act on behalf of Alpine Metal Tech GmbH and may be subject to legal action.

2. Lotz nozzle series OCH being NO IMITATION

Furthermore, with legally binding judgement of the district court of Frankfurt am Main / Germany dated June 6, 2018, the court has rejected our bad claims and dismissed our lawsuit ruling the Lotz nozzle being NO IMITATION!

The court´s decision was final and keeps being valid.

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After the successful supply of the second slab torch cutting machine revamped by LOTZ only recently, “Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann” has placed another follow-up order for revamping of the third slab cutter originally supplied by “GeGa Lotz”.

Again, the general overhaul includes a series of upgrades to meet the current operating standards and the latest safety guidelines in place at HKM. The machine can be operated on both strands of the casting line.

The new torch cutting machine will replace the existing sample cutting machine supplied by GeGa Lotz in 1999. From a group of industry leading applicants for this turn-key-supply, Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM) has selected LOTZ because of its technological superiority at best value for money.

The new equipment will fully automatize the process of marking & cutting of samples on hot slabs eliminating human sources of errors by connecting the unit to both Level 2 and HKM´s warehouse management system.

A laser measurement system detects the position and dimensions of the slab before multiple samples are being marked by the onboard-dot marking unit and cut in full-auto-mode accordingto Level 2 presets. The 1-torch cutting machine also is capable to slit the slab if required.

LOTZ Cutting has been awarded an order by Maanshan based Ma Steel for the supply of a new media control panel and iron powder supply system. The equipment is part of a technological upgrade program to the existing torch cutting machines at the 5-strand bloom caster. The panel is equipped with maintenance friendly LOTZ gas control units allowing for individual strand control.

HKM places follow-up order for revamping and modernization of a slab torch cutting machine

After the successful commissioning of the slab torch cutting machine revamped by LOTZ in spring last year now HKM placed a follow-up order for revamping another torch cutting machine.

The general overhaul includes a series of upgrades to meet the current operating standards and the latest safety guidelines at HKM. The machine can be operated on both strands of the casting line.

The Chinese steel producer Baosteel Group Guangdong Shaoguan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. placed an order with LOTZ Cutting about the supply of a complete torch cutting plant for its new 7-strand bloom caster. Shaogang belongs to the Shanghai-based Baosteel group, which is the fifth largest steel producer in the world.

The torch cutting machines especially designed for cutting blooms are equipped with measuring rollers for the length measuring and with sample torches.

HKM is operating 3 slab casters at its Duisburg-Huckingen works. All the caster torch cutting machines were exclusively supplied by “GeGa Lotz GmbH” from the beginning of caster operations. Now HKM has commissioned a new torch cutting machine supplied by LOTZ including a number of design upgrades and modifications in order to comply with HKM´s state-of-the-art operating environment and latest safety standards. The machine is able to operate on both left and right hand strands of the caster.

LOTZ is introducing another series of high performance scarfing units for substitution of existing OEM products. The fully compatible post-mixed scarfing units are designed for full-face machine scarfing and are manufactured according to highest German quality standards. LOTZ aims to provide high-tech products at economic cost level.

LOTZ is introducing another series of high performance scarfing units for substitution of existing OEM products. The fully compatible post-mixed scarfing units are designed for full-face machine scarfing and are manufactured according to highest German quality standards. LOTZ aims to provide high-tech products at economic cost level.

The Chinese stainless steelmaker Hunan Valin Xiangtan Iron and Steel (XISC) has placed an order with LOTZ Cutting about the torch cutting machines for their latest continuous caster.

The further developed special machines are equipped with all necessary features to meet the highest demands of a state-of-the-art continuous casting plant for stainless steels.

To be technologically competitive, the Xiangtan-based special steelmaker has been successfully relying on torch cutting technology from Hofheim in its production facilities for 15 years.

On March 1, 2018 Lotz Cutting S.L. relocated its facilities within Montblanc (Province of Tarragona, Spain).

The new hall was planned according to the special requirements of Lotz Cutting and is located in the “Grinders Str”, close to the old facilities, and keeps up with the continuous rapid growth of the company.

The building has a modern and functional designed administration area. Considerable importance was placed to generous and appropriately equipped production and storage areas.

After last April´s third and final dismissal of the lawsuit filed by Alpine Metal Tech against LOTZ CUTTING in Spain, Alpine Metal Tech now has lost another lawsuit against LOTZ Cutting GmbH in Germany.

These are the milestones of the lawsuit:

Oct 10th, 2017:              

Alpine Metal Tech Germany GmbH (“AMT”) files a lawsuit against Lotz Cutting GmbH for alleged violation of property rights and “deception of origin”. The allegations refer to AMT´s postmixing cutting nozzle type “SHEL“.  Although AMT is holding a patent protecting this cutting nozzle, the allegations surprisingly do NOT refer to violation of patent rights.

LOTZ claims that because of its outstanding performance, the rivalling LOTZ cutting nozzle “OCH” shall not to be confused with AMT´s model in contrary to AMT´s allegations. Obviously the LOTZ nozzle has a different branding & denomination, outstanding cutting performance and lower consumption data which was emphasized already in an article published by LOTZ in 2016.

Nov 2017:                     

Alpine Metal Tech Germany GmbH spreads a “customer information” among its customers to “inform” about the lawsuit. This letter is a simple marketing campaign aiming to alienate LOTZ´ potential customers and to create uncertainness about the legitimacy of using LOTZ products.  

Feb 2nd, 2018:                

Following LOTZ´ legal intervention, the district court of Frankfurt/Germany issues a cautionary order prohibiting AMT to use and to spread this “customer information” because of the falsehood of allegations.

June 06th, 2018:            

The district court of Frankfurt in the end fully rejects AMT´s claims and dismisses the lawsuit completely. The court´s decision is final.

Again, LOTZ Cutting GmbH stresses the fact that it does not infringe any valid patents or harm any third party property & trademark rights. Lotz Cutting GmbH solely operates under its own trademark “LOTZ“, which is officially registered with the German Patent and Trademark Office (No. 30 2015 060 049).

LOTZ Cutting GmbH will take consistent legal action against any party disregarding the court judgments. Likewise, Lotz Cutting will claim damages or economic losses caused by the violator´s intentional disregard of the legal situation presented herein.

In December 2017 LOTZ Cutting was awarded an order placed by JSPL, Angul, for the supply of a media control panel. The panel will control the media supply to the torch cutting machines built into the new 7-strand billet caster no. 2 at the JSPL plant at Angul, Odisha.

The panel is equipped with LOTZ gas control units allowing for individual strand control and maintenance friendly panel design.

On December 1st, 2017 LOTZ Cutting has moved its head office to an address where all of its employees have spent most of their professional life while working for "GeGa Lotz": Robert-Bosch-Str. 3, in Hofheim-Wallau, close to Frankfurt airport.

The premises have become world-renowned for being the “GeGa Lotz” head office for nearly 40 years until the company was acquired, renamed and moved away from its origin.

In December 2014 ArcelorMittal had placed a maintenance service contract with LOTZ Cutting S.L., Spain for all caster torch cutting machines in operation at the ArcelorMittal plants of Gijon and Aviles. This includes the 4 slab caster tcm´s supplied by GeGa Lotz in 2004 as well as the 6 GeGa billet caster tcm´s supplied in 2013 and the 3 bloom caster tcm´s supplied by LOTZ Cutting recently.

After three years of successful partnership and collaboration this contract now has been renewed for another three years. This contract renewal provides evidence of complete customer satisfaction regarding services and products provided by LOTZ Cutting. 

Itma, the Asturian materials technology centre, is comprised of the main industrial companies with facilities in Asturias (e.g. ArcelorMittal Spain)and by the Government of the Principality of Asturias. ITMA aims to promote all the activities in terms of technological development and scientific research required by its customers.

Itma plans to research altering characteristics of various steel compositions during the rolling process. Lotz Cutting will supply the required torch cutting technology for the rolling laboratory under construction in Aviles, Spain. Thetravelling 3 axis cutting machine comes heat shielded and fully equipped with an iron powder cutting device for cutting stainless and other high alloy steels forming part of ITMA sresearch program.

Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann GmbH is Germany´s second largest steel maker producing nearly 6 million metric tons of crude steel yearly. Its shares are held by Thyssen-Krupp Steel Europe AG, Salzgitter Mannesmann GmbH and Vallourec & Mannesmann Tubes S.A.S. HKM is operating 3 slab casters at its Duisburg-Huckingen works. The caster torch cutting machines were exclusively supplied by GeGa Lotz GmbH from the begin-ning of caster operations and frequently refurbished under its ongoing machine reconditioning program. 

Now HKM has placed an order with LOTZ Cutting to overhaul a torch cutting machine supplied in 2001. The general refurbishment will include a number of design upgrades and modifications in order to comply with HKM´s state-of-the-art operating environment and latest safety standards. The machine will be able to operate on both strands of the caster. 

Lotz Cutting collaborates with the CF Montblanc football school, where more than 80 children from 6 years old are trained, both at a sports level and at a personal level, learning values as important as teamwork.

In  2015 Alpine Metal Tech (through its Spanish affiliates) filed a criminal complaint against Lotz Cutting and its legal representatives for violating competition law and other criminal offenses. The initial complaint was dismissed immediately for lack of evidence by the local court in April 2016. 

The following appeal filed by Alpine Metal Tech provoked a hearing at the court of first instance in November 2016. As a result from this hearing the court dismissed the case in November 2016 confirming the lack of evidences of any criminal offense.

Following AMTs second appeal Tarragona’s higher court instance (Audiencia Provincial) has confirmed the third and final dismissal of the lawsuit absolving LOTZ CUTTING of any legal responsibility from the accused violation of competition law. 

Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, part of German special steel maker Schmolz + Bickenbach Group, has placed an order with LOTZ Cutting to supply new torch cutting machines for the stainless steel caster at DEW´s Siegen plant. The new torch cutting machines are to replace existing machines supplied by GeGa Lotz in 2006.

Originally, GeGa Lotz had delivered barrel-type stainless steel bloom cutting machines to the former Krupp plant in 1986. Following continuous updating and refurbishments these “RBM” – type machines were replaced by GeGa´s later model “LBM” in 2006.

LOTZ Cutting is proud to pursue this long standing customer relationship by supplying state-of-the-art technology for stainless steel torch cutting machines.

In late 2015 ArcelorMittal España, Gijon placed an order with LOTZ Cutting for the first new torch cutting machine aiming to replace the 3 existing tcm´s (old Messer-tcm´s on 2 strands, another tcm on the third strand) in their existing bloom caster. After successful commissioning of this first LOTZ bloom cutting machine in March 2016 the customer placed an order for the second machine which was installed successfully in July 2016. The TCM for the third strand to complete this bloom caster was delivered only in December 2016 to be commissioned early February 2017.

ArcelorMittal has confirmed the reliable performance of the LOTZ torch cutting equipment (machinery, spare parts & consumables) as well as the oustanding service provided by LOTZ Cutting.

In order to meet the growing demands of the market this project awarded to the SMS Group was to improve the quality of the produced slabs. At the same time, the pro-duction capacity of the two casters supplied by SMS in 1987 was increased in order to be prepared for future requirements.

The new No. 1 caster is designed to produce slabs 235 millimeters thick and between 800 and 1,600 millimeters wide. The metallurgical length was increased from 34 to 38 meters, the casting speed to 1.95 meters per Minute. Towards the end of the caster rebuild, the existing torch cutting machines supplied by GeGa Lotz in 2004 have been refurbished by LOTZ Cutting in order to meet the requirements of the new caster.

LOTZ has proudly taken the lead in caster flame cutting technology once again. During a cutting test conducted at the ArcelorMittal slab caster LOTZ´ post mixing cutting nozzle OCH 35 has successfully proven to create a smaller kerf (see picture, kerf on the left) than the post mixing nozzle used before (kerf on the right). This results in a smaller cutting burr, also on the upper side of the slab, clearly to be noticed on the picture. The improved cutting results are due to the different nozzle design of the LOTZ nozzle.

At the same time the LOTZ cutting nozzle is consuming considerably less heating oxygen. The nozzle is compatible with the most used cutting torches of the SB 500 series.