From classic wholesaler to value-added supplier, big on services

In the manufacturing industry, it is important to listen to the needs in the market and then internally weigh up whether or not to respond. Over the last decade, thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium has evolved from a pure wholesaler of stainless steel, aluminum and various types of steel to a supplier of services with greater added value for increasingly demanding customers: sawing, bending, laser cutting, and much more. In addition to the classic trade with associated operations, customers can now also go there for the realization of integral projects or complete outsourcing from engineering over machining and assembly to even logistics.

Thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium is a wholesaler of stainless steel, aluminum and various grades of steel with more than 3,000 loyal customers in the Belgian metal industry. Although that distribution still remains the core business, much has changed in recent years. At the request of customers, they have started to perform all kinds of operations, such as 2D and 3D laser cutting, bending and sawing, but also blasting, drilling, decoiling, slitting, grinding, brushing and water cutting. To this end, the company has a production facility with more than 20 machine tools and collaborates with external processors specializing in galvanizing, anodizing, coating and milling. 

"Thanks to the Laser Works department, thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium has focused on laser cutting work for many years. Using numerous CNC-controlled fiber- and CO2-cutting machines, bending machines and other systems, we process sheets, profiles and tubes in stainless steel, steel and aluminum, and are responsible for post-processing. In Merelbeke, assignments are carried out for sister companies, but this division is also a reputable service provider for other metal processing companies. The machine park is continuously adapted and expanded to provide ever better support to customers," says commercial director Marijn van Asperen. "We also invest in the automation and digitization of our processes. For example, we developed the webshop www.onlinelaserworks.be for laser cutting. After uploading the customer's drawings, the software immediately produces a detailed quotation, including the cost price for the design. This allows customers to order laser-cut sheets and edge parts 24/7."

Added value

The combination of trader, processor and supply chain partner is quite unique. The added value makes thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium stand out in Belgium, but also in other countries within and outside Europe. "Thanks to a team of specialists, we can completely unburden the customers. This commercial team combines technical knowledge with experience in project management to analyze, improve and manage projects. We provide technical support in terms of material selection or design, calculation, stock management, taking care of all kinds of documents, even selecting specific packaging, marking and logistical processing," van Asperen explains. 

"We offer many other services. For example, we propose alternative offers by economic aspects and use our national and international procurement network of suppliers to always work out the best solution. Production takes place in Belgium, in Europe, even worldwide, and is optimally adapted to the expected costs, deadlines and services. The international presence of thyssenkrupp with its own employees and equipment is an important added value. We take care of just-in-time deliveries of products from stock or production by road, rail, water and air transport, taking care of all necessary documents, such as certificates, customs clearance documents... This allows the customer to focus fully on his core business."