Interview with Libor Rozlivka
Engineering Manager, Smurfit Westrock
Could you start by briefly introducing your facility here at Westrock Svitavy?
We are a major manufacturer of cardboard packaging as well as a large-scale industrial printing facility. We employ around 300 people operating 24/7, supplying our cartons and packaging to clients such as Coca-Cola and Red Bull.
What are your specific responsibilities, Mr. Rozlivka?
I work as the Engineering Manager at the company. You could say I am responsible for all new innovations regarding our buildings and machinery. Everything is constantly evolving, and my task is to adapt processes to new technologies.
What problem did you originally face with the floors and expansion joints, and how did it affect daily operations?
Expansion joints and crossovers had been a problem for us for about 15 years. About 10 years ago, we started carrying out various repairs using steel sinusoidal profiles to address the issue more actively. However, with the advent of robotics and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), these problems became even more pronounced. We had to slow down the vehicles significantly before these joint areas, wasting valuable time.
What was most important to you when searching for a solution?
About a year ago, we approached several companies and launched a tender process. Key priorities for us were long-term durability, speed of execution, and minimizing operational disruption. Last but not least, we were concerned about potential dust creation, which we simply cannot afford in our manufacturing environment.
How did you find out about JAC, and why did you ultimately choose their solution?
We saw a similar project completed by JAC as well as an article on LinkedIn. We reached out to you, your sales representative visited, followed by a field technician, and that’s how our initial contact began.
Did you have any concerns prior to execution?
Definitely. We produce packaging for the food industry and are well aware that our concrete floors are of exceptionally high quality. Therefore, we were concerned about the surface preparation before installation, which involves breaking out high-strength concrete along with rebar. Another concern was operational restriction, as most repairs take place in the main aisles between halls, severely limiting internal traffic. And, of course, the potential dust.
How did the actual implementation go? Was there anything that pleasantly or unexpectedly surprised you?
I have to say it was almost entirely positive. You usually only find out during actual execution, as sales proposals can promise anything. The crew supervisor and his team were highly professional and responded promptly to our feedback. We have very strict health and safety (HSE) standards, and it was clear that JAC’s technicians are well accustomed to these requirements and followed everything diligently.
What has changed in daily operations following the repair?
The most crucial outcome is that crossing speeds across these joints have increased. Previously, we had to slow down equipment substantially, and in our operation, every second counts. Some handling is done with manual pallet jacks, and operators immediately felt the smooth transition. Another major advantage of the Floorbridge system is its truly seamless design, where the sinusoidal wave is pre-filled at the factory with a high-strength compound.
If a colleague from another manufacturing plant asked whether they should address similarly damaged expansion joints, what would you tell them?
At this stage, I would certainly recommend JAC and their Floorbridge system. I’ll admit we have high expectations for these repairs, so we’ll need time for a final long-term evaluation to see how the system holds up after several years. However, we are currently planning the next phase and fully count on implementing Floorbridge by JAC.
