Dynamic partner for machining and sheet metal working

A subcontracting company has to stand out. They understand this at Steen Parts & Prototyping. The company run by Sebastiaan Steen and his girlfriend Ann-Sophie Samyn specializes in machining and sheet metal working, while most other similar companies focus on just one of these activities. Thanks to a knowledgeable team and up-to-date machinery, this West-Flemish family business can respond flexibly to all customer requests. Since their takeover in 2017, the business owners have invested heavily in facilities and machinery, as well as continuously seeking technically skilled staff.

Steen Parts & Prototyping's story began five years ago with the acquisition of a company specializing in machining operations with a focus on single pieces and custom work. 

"We do not produce our own finished products, but make all possible parts from metal and plastic that can be used in industry. This ranges from small gears to complete constructions for machines. For this we base ourselves on 2D drawings or 3D designs, which are supplied by manufacturing companies from various sectors," explains managing director Sebastiaan Steen. "Step by step we have further optimized our machinery to be able to produce small and medium-sized series for our customers. We now have five CNC milling machines for machining a wide variety of workpieces and three CNC lathes to machine pieces up to 1000 mm long with a maximum diameter of 300 mm."

Total Partner

Steen is convinced that through hard work and focused investment you can continue to grow. That is why he had a new 2,400 m² production hall built immediately after the acquisition. He also invested heavily in machinery and machining centers. The machinery was expanded to include an automatic sawing machine and a deburring machine. 

"We have a team of motivated, experienced people and an up-to-date fleet of CNC-controlled machines. Yet something was still missing. After all, for sheet metal working we always had to rely on external partners, which means you always lose a bit of flexibility," the business manager continues. "We bought a fiber laser cutting machine with a 6 kW source and a bending bench up to 100 tons, which are compatible with each other, allowing us to process sheet metal ourselves since the summer of 2022. We also installed work stations for spot, TIG and MIG/MAG welding. While most other subcontracting companies focus on either activity, we now specialize in both machining and sheet metal working. Thus, today we are a total partner with expertise in both fields."

Technically skilled personnel

These investments have not harmed Steen Parts & Prototyping. Not only have they gained new customers for sheet metal, but through cross-pollination and word-of-mouth advertising, their customer base for machining is also growing. The ISO 9001-certified company carries out all jobs to the finest detail. The experienced team also provides advice on how customers can further optimize their products. 

"I myself still rotate daily on the shop floor, while Ann-Sophie takes care of the administrative tasks. We strive to build a long-term relationship with each customer. They can come to us with total projects, but equally with a complex part that they cannot work on themselves," Sebastiaan Steen said. 

"We are also constantly looking for technically skilled personnel, and this is no easy task with a number of large companies nearby. In addition, a few workers are retiring in the near future and a rejuvenation of the team is imminent. Two additional employees were recently hired, yet several vacancies remain. In addition to a job full of variety within an enthusiastic team, we especially like to highlight our clean working environment. Machines and workplace are cleaned here every evening. The image of dirty workshops with old machines in the metalworking industry, which many students often still have in mind, is a thing of the past. Here one enters a pleasant and healthy working environment with modern machinery."