New semi-automatic sawing machine for steel shop

The oldest company in Tielt. It is the title with which steel business Rosseel can proudly boast. Throughout its more than 150-year history, the company has always kept its eye on the future and adapted to the needs of customers. Even now it continues to look ahead. Because with the arrival of a new Behringer, continuity in the sawing department is again assured for the next thirty years. 

The roots of family business Rosseel reach back to 1860. What began as a trade in scrap metal transformed after World War I into a trade in new iron. "What exactly drove that transformation is nowhere to be found. But I suspect that previous generations saw opportunities to contribute to reconstruction. The region was in ruins after the war and the demand for iron and steel was high," says business manager Johan Rosseel. 

With him, the family business is already in its fifth generation. And he too is by no means resting on his laurels. The hardware range disappeared, the focus shifted entirely to steel, and Rosseel also added a second branch. "The acquisition of Hemeryck-Heindryckx in Ruddervoorde was an excellent opportunity to further expand our sales region," Rosseel clarified. "Opportunities that we continue to look forward to, by the way."

Service makes the difference

Both companies will continue to operate under their own flag. Rosseel: "Just because they enjoy an excellent reputation built on service. The customer is king with us. We try to do everything we can to support him in the best possible way: with early opening hours, deliveries right to the site if desired (with our own crane truck), a wide stock of materials, treatments also for small series... The customer is not a number with us. Moreover, we have a close-knit, permanent team. That makes for a very close contact, a bond of trust lasting for years." 

Yet there are also differences between Hemeryck and Rosseel. "In Ruddervoorde, for example, we can do more machining. There are shears to cut plates to size and there is a welding workshop. Synergy, in other words, which we are trying to exploit optimally by now also offering this service to customers in Tielt." 

Partner who thinks with you

The basic processing that takes place in both Ruddervoorde and Tielt is the sawing of the pieces. Rosseel was able to rely on a Behringer for more than thirty years for this purpose. "All those years the machine worked well, at relatively low maintenance costs. But the control system was outdated and getting spare parts became more difficult, so we started looking for replacements." This experience put supplier Promatt back in pole position to bring in the investment, though of course extensive comparisons were made. "We know the company and know that we can count on excellent service. But during the discussions Promatt proved again why it can truly call itself a partner that thinks along with its customers. Just as we like to do, by the way. In this way we were able to recover the measuring stop and the roller conveyors that we had for the new sawing machine. So investing in quality pays off," Rosseel assures.

Same type, greater ease of use

There was no need to change types. It became the same semi-automatic again, but one according to the latest technology, and - importantly - with a compact footprint. 

"The capabilities of the machine were more than adequate for the work we have here. That consists mainly of sawing box sections, joists and L-irons. The only extra thing we signed up for is the ability to now automatically cut miters. In the past, I had to measure that myself. Now I only have to type it in," explained warehouse manager Gianni Decavele. So the ease of use definitely improved. "Also because, thirty years later, the operation still follows the same pattern. That made it child's play to get the hang of them. So we are good again for the next thirty years," Decavele adds with a wink.    

PROMATT - Booth number 148A