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 took it further to other countries in the form of laminated wooden doors and windows.

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

Istvan Csaba Mezei does something else: 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 dual-operation combined machine (thickness straightening-planing) and behind the Felder F700 tilting spindle milling machine.

Key points:

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

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

How did you get into this field?

Istvan Csaba Mezei: It's a family occupation. My parents were also in the woodwork, doors and windows. So I inherited this trade from my childhood, but I also qualified in the field, I went to vocational school for carpentry. In 1993 I got my first licence as a family business. I worked alongside my father until 2001, when he left us. Six years later I set up my own limited company because I felt that was the only way to expand.

Until 2007 we worked with rudimentary, homemade machines, but we always felt the need for more precise and reliable ones. Then I went to a friend's workshop and there I saw for the first time on a Felder machine. I liked the way it looked, even from a distance.

That's when I decided and the first machine I bought was a milling machine in 2007. I really liked the precision and the ease with which it can be adjusted, you have no doubt whether the work is coming out or not. After a year, I got in touch with the sales consultant at Felder Gruppe Romania (Paul Năstase - Area Sales Manager Transylvania and Maramureș), a very nice gentleman who was obviously very knowledgeable about the functionality of the machine, had everything under his thumb, and I didn't think twice about it, I bought a second cutter.

I also went to Felder Gruppe in Austria, to the showroom, and was impressed. I couldn't wait to 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 work side by side with the employees I've had for six or seven years. There are three of us working 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 specialise in these products. That's all. We don't do furniture and bollards because it's not good. That's what we learned in Germany and Austria when we were on exchange. Before 2007 I was also making furniture, but I realised that it's not right. If you start doing more than one thing, you can't specialise 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 turnover has reached 50%. To export, you have to be consistent in terms of quality level. Not to do well today and less well tomorrow. For the domestic market, we also provide assembly, anywhere in the country, because this ensures that the guarantee period we offer will be respected.

How do Felder Gruppe machines help you in your work?

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 broke on a machine. We haven't even changed consumables, no bearings, no belts, nothing. But we also take good care of them and maintain them very well. For me, the machines are part of the team, I keep my heart in them as well as in the people I work with. I'm very happy with them because they are sturdy, reliable and resilient.