Sharing knowledge through webinars

If, as a machine builder, you know everything there is to know about machining sheets, tubes and profiles, you can share this knowledge with customers. Simply because it enables them to get the most out of their production process and the machines you have developed. Voortman has developed five webinars on relevant topics over the past two years, and is getting positive reactions.

In fifty years, the Voortman family business has grown from a construction company to one that builds machines for machining sheets, tubes and profiles. In this regard, software has become a crucial factor in recent years, contributing to making the machines and the entire production process more intelligent, accurate and efficient. Voortman also sees itself as a knowledge partner, supporting its customers in making the right choices and optimally deploying advanced hardware and software.

Experts speaking

Because Voortman values "sharing knowledge," the company started developing and recording webinars about two years ago. Thomas Krone, business development manager: "We were in the middle of the corona era and webinars seemed to be an effective means of staying in touch with potential and existing customers. However, we felt that such a webinar should actually bring something, so we made it very tangible for the viewer and enlisted some of our partners to collaborate."

The webinars are produced entirely in-house. The speakers are also drawn from our own ranks, with a choice of some 150 engineers. Krone: "Speakers who own the final solution were chosen for the various topics. With this, we had enthusiastic and proud people in front of the camera, who were only too happy to take the listener into their subject matter."

Appealing themes 

Looking back over the past two years, it is clear that the webinars are having an effect. The topics are engaging and attract executives and decision makers as well as people from the shop floor. 

For example, one of the webinars focused on the Road to smart factory. In it, viewers were taken to a steel construction company that opened up about its growth and the challenges involved. After all, growth means more people, dynamic logistics, more machines. Automation is then a good step to keep all processes on track. Of course, this webinar also featured the latest investment and the speakers discussed the impact a smart factory has on employees and work preparation.

Krone: "Smart Factory is one of the broad topics we cover. A more focused topic was covered during the third - and immediately most successful - webinar to date. With the appealing title 'Everything you need to know about milling,' this webinar is still watched today. The most recent webinar, held in June, was about bevel cutting. From beginners looking to learn the basics of bevel cutting, to seasoned professionals looking to refine their bevel cutting skills, the webinar offered something for everyone as well as accessible discussions and demonstrations in a real production environment."

Available online

To provide as many people as possible with the shared knowledge, the webinars are now available online via the website. Krone: "We tried to find an accessible way to inform both existing and potential customers about topics that can help them work more efficiently and effectively. This not only creates higher output, but also relieves employees or collects relevant data on the basis of which, for example, (production) times or maintenance can be predicted. These webinars seem to have more than succeeded and motivate us to continue with this. After all, if our customers understand the processes better, the proverbial knife cuts on more sides."    

Voortman Steel Machinery can be visited during Blechexpo in Hall 3, Booth 3304.