New building strengthens reputation as one-stop shop for metalworking

Who says 65 is synonymous with jaded? Vanderscheuren from Diksmuide could unveil for its anniversary a new building of more than 8,000 m², filled with the latest machinery. A substantial investment, which shows that the Vanderscheuren mean to be and remain the one-stop shop for metalworking.

Vanderscheuren has been setting itself up as the reference in subcontracting for years. The company is at home in all markets (sheet metal working, welding, machining...) to offer customers a total solution for their pieces. CEO Wim Leus: "Due to the growth that Vanderscheuren underwent in its 65th anniversary, operations were spread across four sites here in the industrial park. So when we had the opportunity to buy the neighboring land in 2019, we didn't hesitate for a second. It gave us the opportunity to centralize everything in one state-of-the-art workshop and avoid a lot of logistical movements. So a big gain in efficiency, which will also benefit our customers." Since May, the new 8,200 m² workshop has been fully operational. 

State-of-the-art 

The investment in the new building gives Vanderscheuren every opportunity to enhance its reputation as a one-stop shop. "Everything is made here on site in the workshop and, if required, assembled for the customer. Our ambition is to be top of mind for our customers when they are looking for a reliable partner to produce their critical parts. In the right quality, at the right price, and with great delivery reliability," Leus summarizes the mission for the coming years. 

Vanderscheuren began 65 years ago as a sole proprietorship. The lathe purchased at the startup still adorns the workshop. "We are proud of our roots, but at the same time we continue to look forward. That's why we also invested in new machines, to offer our customers all the possibilities." These included a new 10 kW fiber laser with loading tower, a welding robot with changing table, and a burner capable of processing steel up to 300 mm.

Technology at the service of people

"To the extent possible, we looked at automation. To create more capacity and prepare for the next 20 years. But also to be at the service of our people, to make their jobs a little bit lighter. You need people to make technology work. Not the other way around. With more than 2,500 unique products passing through here every year, it's impossible to automate everything. That's why we want to use the technical knowledge of our 125 employees in the best way possible." Vanderscheuren invests itself in the expansion of that knowledge by organizing training courses so that employees can continue to perfect their skills. 

But knowledge is also growing in other ways. For example, an acquisition in 2018 brought in a lot of know-how around hydraulic applications. Leus: "The experience and machines to make custom cylinders, among other things, but also the knowledge to think with the customer about what exactly he needs in terms of hydraulics and how we can work that out. Like we do as a one-stop shop for all machining and metal pieces."

Close partners

That way of working closely together is for Vanderscheuren also clearly the way of the future. "It has always been our endeavor to grow together with our customers. There are customers we have been serving today for more than sixty years. We want to keep it that way in the future by really working together. Side by side. In any case, with the recent investments, we have all the capabilities in house, with flexible machinery and driven employees, to do so with equal success for the next 65 years," Leus concludes.