The Polish family-run business PORTA DOORS is the leading manufacturer of interior and exterior doors in Central and Eastern Europe. The first, and largest, production facility opened in 1992 in Bolszewo, where the company’s headquarters are still located today. In five factories throughout the country, more than 1,700 employees produce some 1.7 million doors of various types and designs each year. Today, PORTA serves markets in 43 countries and sells its doors in over 2,000 sales locations throughout the world. Its portfolio includes interior doors, entry doors for houses and apartments, and even technical doors for commercial use or heightened security requirements.
One of the most popular models in PORTA’s portfolio is CONCEPT, whose modern design and combination of matte glass and elegant veneer is a real eye-catcher in any house. To reliably bond a veneer, it is necessary to have a high-quality adhesive. For this and other sophisticated models, PORTA has been counting on the proven adhesive solutions of Jowat for many years. The longstanding manufacturer of doors and the adhesive experts of Jowat Polska can already look back on more than a quarter century of cooperation.
Long tradition of cooperation
Today, nobody remembers exactly how the first contact was established. “It was a few years before our time,” admits Małgorzata Labuda, head of Supply Logistics at PORTA, with a chuckle. One thing is known, however, which is that the working relationship between the two companies began in the fall of 1996, after the companies had already interacted with each other a few times at different trade fairs. The main goal of the first project was to replace PORTA’s previously used adhesives from different providers with products from a single manufacturer. The end objective was to maximize the efficiency of purchasing, logistics, and consulting through the provider. Jowat was chosen due to its large selection of adhesives and its excellent technical and qualitative parameters. “The representative from Jowat Polska presented a wide range of high-quality adhesives, while also offering great services such as comprehensive advice and technical support during testing,” says Małgorzata Labuda.
A new experience
“The biggest challenge was to choose and adapt an adhesive for door frame wrapping with MICROLAN, since adhesives based on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyolefin (PO) were not suitable for this material,” explains Dr. Zdzisław Bernaczyk, managing director of Jowat Polska. A consultation with the adhesive experts made it clear that polyurethane-based adhesives (PUR) were the best choice to meet the requirements for the bonding and coating of the material. PORTA had never used a PUR hot melt adhesive before, however, and did not yet have a suitable melting system for this type of adhesive. But as Dr. Zdzisław Bernaczyk points out, “The aging tests showed that this was the only type of adhesive that could meet all of the requirements and expectations relating to the bonding.” PORTA followed the recommendation of the adhesive experts, purchased the corresponding equipment, and began working with an adhesive from the Jowatherm-Reaktant® series. Today, the dispersion adhesives based on polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), different hot melt adhesives (PUR and EVA), and glues based on emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) are also in regular use. They are primarily employed in the adhesion and veneering of door leaves and wood frames. “We could probably say that all doors sold by PORTA since 1996, along with the majority of steel leaves, were manufactured using Jowat products”, Małgorzata Labuda conjectures. “So, we can only speak highly of the products’ quality and outstanding adhesive properties.” She also finds nothing but positive words for the business relationship. “Even when things are unstable on the raw material market or when different adhesives are affected by supply bottlenecks, Jowat always ensures the availability of its products.”
Joined by shared values
When designing new products and improving existing ones, PORTA closely examines factors such as the energy consumption of processes, the type and origin of the materials, and the durability and life cycle of the end product. PORTA remains in constant contact with its suppliers, ensuring the ongoing optimization of processes such as bonding. This requires working together to carefully examine the product with regard to its durability, aesthetics, and environmental compatibility. “We consider ourselves in good hands with Jowat in this regard,” says Małgorzata Labuda. Two projects have already been completed in coordination with Jowat: TechnoPorta and PortaFrame. “Next, we are planning to introduce a softforming technique into our door production. We also intend to use Jowat adhesives in our new PORTA factory, which is being built in Kartoszyno.” Therefore, the stage is set for at least another 25 years of successful collaboration between PORTA and Jowat.
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