How a window and door manufacturer from Harghita manages to export half of its production - Interview Termolemn Industry

Istvan Csaba Mezei, administrator at Termolemn Industry in Sărmaș - Toplița, inherited his passion for wood from his family and has taken it to other countries in the form of doors and windows made of laminated wood.

After exchanging experiences in Germany and Austria, he believes it's better to do one thing and do it well. So Istvan Csaba Mezei has specialized in the production of doors and windows and focuses every day on maintaining a higher level of quality - "To export, you have to be constant in terms of quality. Not doing good today and less good tomorrow."

Istvan Csaba Mezei does one more thing: he works side by side with his employees and considers the machines part of his team.

felder group machines — Photo: Istvan Csaba Mezei, Termolemn Industry, Harghita, next to the Felder AD 741 combined two-spindle (thickness-straightening-planing) machine and behind the Felder F700 tilting spindle milling machine

Key points:

Production: custom-made laminated wood windows and doors
Machinery:
- Felder AD 741 2-operation combined machine for straightening and thickness planing
- Felder F 700 Z mobile table type milling machine with tilting spindle
- Felder F 900 tilting spindle milling machine
- Felder K 700 sliding table circular saw Felder K 700
The secret to success: keeping quality high
Tips and recommendations: specialize in one thing that you do well, be consistent in the level of quality

INTERVIEW Felder Gruppe Romania: Istvan Csaba Mezei, Termolemn Industry, Harghita

How did you get into this field?

Istvan Csaba Mezei: It runs in the family. My parents were also in the woodworking business. So I inherited this trade from my childhood, but I also qualified in the trade, I went to a vocational school for carpentry. In 1993 I got my first license as a family business. I worked with my father until 2001, when he left us. Six years later I set up my own LLC because I felt that was the only way to expand.

Until 2007, I worked with rudimentary, handmade machines, but I always felt the need for more precise and reliable ones. That's when I went to a friend's workshop and that's where I first saw Felder written Felder on a piece of equipment. I liked the way it looked, even from a distance.

That's when I made up my mind and the first machine I bought was a milling cutter in 2007. I really liked the precision and the ease with which it can be adjusted, you have no doubt whether the job is done or not. After a year, I contacted the sales consultant at Felder Gruppe Romania (Paul Năstase - Area Sales Director Transylvania and Maramureș), a very nice gentleman who seemed to know all the details regarding the functionality of the machine, he had everything under his fingertips, and I didn't hesitate, I bought the second milling cutter.

I also went to Felder Gruppe in Austria, to the showroom, and I was impressed. I couldn't get out of there. Everyone has their own passion, some people like cars, I like machines because I love what I do, my job. I've been working side by side with my employees for six or seven years. There are three of us who work constantly, and we ask for help when we have more work.

What do you produce?

Istvan Csaba Mezei: Laminated wood windows and doors, as well as blinds with fixed or movable slats. We specialize in these products. That's all. We don't also do furniture and benches because it's not good. That's what we learned in Germany and Austria when we went on exchange. Before 2007 we were also making furniture, but I realized it's not good. If you do more than one thing, you can't specialize in one thing that you do very well. You have to develop vertically, not horizontally.

How did you get into exporting?

Istvan Csaba Mezei: We work all over the country but also abroad. We don't export directly, but through those who build wooden houses and export them to Spain and France. The proportion of exports in our turnover has reached 50%. To export, you have to be constant in terms of quality. Not doing good today and less good tomorrow. For the domestic market we also provide assembly, anywhere in the country, because that's how we make sure that the warranty period we offer will be respected.

How do Felder Gruppe machines help your business?

Istvan Csaba Mezei: They helped us because we had no problems with them whatsoever. Not even with spare parts. We've never had our business interrupted because something has broken down. We haven't even changed consumables, no bearings, no belts, nothing. But we take care of them and maintain them very well. For me, the machines are part of the team, I keep my soul in them as well as in the people I work with. I'm very happy with them because they're sturdy, reliable and durable.