ECOTHERM Austria was successfully certified according to ASME Sect. VIII Div. 1.
ECOTHERM Austria GmbH was recently successfully certified by TÜV Süd and ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). ECOTHERM is now one of a few companies worldwide that can manufacture pressure vessels according to ASME. The Austrian manufacturer’s product portfolio for hot water, steam and solar systems includes storage tanks, heat exchangers and clean steam generators. An auditor from ASME in England took part in the certification process via video conference. Herbert B. Bremstaller, CEO & founder of ECOTHERM Austria GmbH, talks about the strategic importance of this additional certification of highest product- und process quality: “In the last two decades we have increasingly internationalized our business. The ASME certification opens even more markets and opportunities for us. The first orders are already in house. The ASME certification complements the production of pressure vessels according to PED 2014/68/EU (Pressure Equipment Directive).”
Successful ASME Certification
Despite travel restrictions as a result of the Corona pandemic, TÜV Süd and ASME successfully certified ECOTHERM in November 2020 according to ASME Sect. VIII Div. 1. During the certification process, the auditors from TÜV Süd were on site at ECOTHERM’s headquarters in Hartkirchen, Austria. An ASME auditor from England was connected via video conference. Within a lead time of only six months, EOTHERM documented its manufacturing processes for pressure vessels in a “Quality Control Manual” specially prepared for ASME, certified employees, purchased additional measuring equipment and implemented the workflows required by the ASME Code. From now on, pressure vessels manufactured according to ASME will receive the so-called “U-stamp”, which is stamped onto the vessels together with an ASME stamp.
Christof Lehner, responsible for quality assurance and development at ECOTHERM Austria GmbH, about the preparations: “The catalogue of criteria of ASME is structured similarly to that of the ISO 9001 standard. We have been certified according to this quality management standard since 2008 and have been able to successfully build on it.”
Internationalization
ECOTHERM is now one of approximately 7,000 producers worldwide that can manufacture pressure vessels according to ASME and is listed as such on the ASME website. The ASME standard is recognized in more than 100 countries worldwide. Over the last two decades, ECOTHERM has increasingly internationalized its business and is now successfully active in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and Central America. “With the ASME certification, we can further advance our internationalization strategy and open up new markets for ourselves. However, we are also receiving more enquiries from Austria, as there are very few U-stamp holders for pressure vessels here, many Austrian manufacturers have a high export quota and a regional partner creates competitive advantages.”, explains Herbert Bremstaller.
Addition to ISO 9001 certification
Most recently, ECOTHERM was successfully recertified to ISO 9001:2015 by TÜV SÜD in 2019. The Austrian specialist has held this certificate for its quality management system for the calculation, design, production and distribution of pressure vessels, heat exchangers, solar, hot water & steam systems, and insulation consistently since 2008.
ASME
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a non-profit, professional association of mechanical engineers in the USA. Founded in 1880, the association has more than 100,000 members in 140 countries and is headquartered in New York. ASME supports collaboration, knowledge sharing and skills development across all engineering disciplines. The professional association aims to emphasise the importance of engineers in society. To advance engineering knowledge and a safer world, ASME provides codes, standards, publications, conferences, and continuous education and development programmes.
ECOTHERM Austria GmbH
ECOTHERM is the leading brand for individual hot water, steam and solar systems for hotels, hospitals, and the industry. The product portfolio includes individual turnkey systems, high capacity water heaters, electric water heaters, hot water and combination storage tanks, clean steam generators, solar thermal systems, high performance heat exchangers, industrial products, and sustainable fibre-fleece insulation. Thousands of systems have already been installed in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North Africa, and Central America. ECOTHERM inspires its customers with “Individual Heat Transfer Solutions” – individual systems with premium quality, innovative products, and premium service from planning to commissioning. ECOTHERM is a brand of ECOTHERM Austria GmbH based in Hartkirchen, Austria. ECOTHERM Austria GmbH was founded in 1996 by CEO & founder Herbert B. Bremstaller. The origins of the family business date back to 1880. The headquarters of the ECOTHERM Group is located in Hartkirchen in Upper Austria. Further branches of the ECOTHERM Group are located in the United Arab Emirates and Hungary. ECOTHERM Austria GmbH is a TÜV-certified welding company according to ISO 3834-2 and certified according to ISO 9001 : 2015 for the calculation, design, production and distribution of pressure vessels, heat exchangers as well as solar, hot water and steam systems. Since 2020, the production of pressure vessels in Hartkirchen, Austria, has also been certified according to ASME Sect. VIII Div. 1.
