Powder coating in the endurance test Robust color range for PUKY
Very good mechanical values, maximum weather resistance and a large selection for the constantly changing range of colors are at the top of the list of requirements for PUKY GmbH & Co. KG’s list of requirements for the painted parts of its vehicles. The traditional manufacturer of balance bikes, tricycles and bicycles from Wülfrath in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany has been committed to the highest quality standards for 75 years now and, in the current anniversary year, also on new, trendy surface designs. PUKY has had excellent experience with the powder coatings and service from Brillux Industrial Coatings.
You’ll never forget your first vehicle: PUKY has been manufacturing vehicles for children and young people aged one to…
“Ready for life” is the company’s new slogan, or: PUKY products, which are designed and produced by 120 employees at the headquarters in Wülfrath, must be made for real life. After all, toddlers, school kids, and young teens aren’t known for taking good care of their first vehicles. They are often left outdoors in all kinds of weather and land roughly on the hard asphalt. “We see ourselves as an experienced mobility provider for children between the ages of one and 14.
They make use of the entire range of vehicles – from scooters and tricycles to bicycles,” says Marlene Swiecznik, Head of Product Management at PUKY. “Our vehicles have an unusually long service life over up to four generations of children and achieve high resale values.” Great importance is attached to the corresponding quality of PUKY products – largely “made in Germany” – from the design and long spare parts supply to the painted surfaces.
It goes without saying that the steel and aluminum frames of the vehicles are powder-coated for maximum impact resistance, corrosion resistance and durability.
Lacquer quality with letters and seals
The vehicle manufacturer currently purchases powder coatings in a total of 38 colors from Brillux Industrial Coatings in nearby Unna. The main coating product supplied, Universal Polyester Powder 5940, which like all Brillux powder coatings is formulated with non-toxic hardeners for the health protection of the applicator, meets the high quality criteria par excellence. “This powder coating guarantees us the highest coating standards in facade quality thanks to its two quality seals, the GSB approval Florida 1 and the Qualicoat approval class 1 for the surface finishing of aluminum,” says PUKY operations manager Matthias Burkhardt. “Of course, this polyester powder also meets the European standard EN 71 for safe children’s toys, which is a quality criterion that sets us apart from non-European manufacturers.”
The longevity of the products is a firm part of what makes PUKY who they are. The aluminum and steel frames are…
PUKY powders its vehicles in its own factory in Wülfrath. In the four-zone pre-treatment system, optimum starting…
PUKY’s two separate automatic powder coating booths allow two colors to be applied simultaneously.
Support in optimizing processes
Together with Brillux sales consultant Arben Nokaj, Matthias Burkhardt optimized the powder coating with Universal Polyester Powder 5940 at the plant in Wülfrath to get the best possible and most reliable results. The aluminum and steel frames are pre-treated and then receive their finish without primer on the continuously modernized, automated powder coating system with recovery system, which can run two shades in parallel, or in the sample booth for small series. “For example, we used continuous oven measurements to determine the curing status of the paints very precisely in order to identify the optimum energy-efficient curing time,” says Arben Nokaj, describing one of the measures.
Color schemes as an important differentiating feature
PUKY is also glad to be able to use the other services offered by Brillux, such as employee training on specific paint topics. The short distances between Unna and Wülfrath also pay off for PUKY when it comes to the all-important product color design. “The color schemes, which are precisely tailored to our market, distinguish our vehicles from those of our competitors and reinforce our brand image,” emphasizes Marlene Swiecznik.
“In this regard, fast and reliable development of new powder coating colors – also to be able to implement new trends quickly – is essential for us.” Matt pastel shades such as retro rosé or pastel green are currently very popular among toddlers. The same shades in a slightly darker version are popular for entry-level bikes. Earthy colors such as olive green or peanut beige currently set the tone for bike sizes from 20 inches upwards. “We also design our new vehicles with powder coatings with gloss pigments – such as pearl pink, ash blue or mint green,” says Marlene Swiecznik, describing the range.
After the stoving process, the frames are subjected to a color check. PUKY powder coats its vehicles in dozens of…
Brillux Industrial Coatings undertakes the color development for the manufacturer and also supplies the desired shades in small quantities – for example for PUKY’s young customizing division. From a minimum order quantity of 600 vehicles, the Wülfrath-based company manufactures its products for clubs or companies in a customized paint look. “This is where our collaboration goes both ways,” smiles Marlene Swiecznik. “Brillux uses the balance bikes in the red and green company colors in the company daycare center, among other places – from PUKY, of course.”
From retro to spacey: the high-quality model range from PUKY caters to current aesthetic style preferences.
Customizing business segment: the Wülfrath-based manufacturer offers specially painted children’s vehicles in the corporate design of clubs or companies – like here in the corporate colors of Brillux.
PUKY
At PUKY, we have been building vehicles sustainably and under fair conditions almost exclusively in Germany for generations. Vehicles that are fun for children and at the same time promote healthy development. They develop with them and constantly adjust to the changing abilities of children and adolescents.
