Welding techniques, tools and metalworking machinery under one roof

With a personal approach and honest communication, you always score with customers. They have always understood that at Welda. And with success. Today, the family business from Oostakker (Ghent) rests on three pillars: welding (welding techniques and welding tables), machines (conventional and CNC-controlled metalworking machines) and tools (hand and power tools). The wide range and large stock are housed in a showroom and warehouse of more than 6,000 m². Both existing and future customers can also visit the Welda Academy for practical, customized welding training. Welda has been strongly committed to digitalization for years, which is now also being rolled out more and more to customers. 

Welda started selling and manufacturing welding electrodes in 1968 in a row house in Sint-Amandsberg (Ghent), but soon moved to its current location in Oostakker. 

"The company has experienced steady growth over the past 55 years. In the early 1980s we started with a store for welding equipment, which has only grown over the years. In addition to machines, accessories and consumables for welding, the range was expanded, first with tools and PPE, and later with CNC metalworking machines. Today Welda has a strong reputation as an expert in each of these segments," says owner Ken Van Leeuwe. "However, certain aspects have always remained the same: the family atmosphere with a personal approach, transparency and honest communication. Our customers are central and we listen to them in order to grow and develop together."

Product and service

The wide range of products is displayed and demonstrated in Welda's showroom. In addition, the large selection of stock machines allows the majority of orders to be delivered from stock. 

"Our nearly 40 qualified employees are our greatest asset. Thanks to their support, we make the difference. They are mostly technical experts, who help customers find the right equipment, tools and machines and provide answers to every question, even the most complex ones. They are also continuously trained to always have the most up-to-date information," explains head of sales Koen De Bruyne. "For us, a project does not stop at delivery, because we support commissioning, operator training, service and repairs. Our service department represents one-fifth of our team. In addition to sales, through WeldaRental, we also handle the rental of welding equipment and machines to help our customers out of temporary need. Finally, interested parties can also visit our Welda Academy, where practical welding training courses are organized in cooperation with the VCL (Continuation Center for Welders)."

Digitizing is a must

Meanwhile, the number of products and customers continues to grow, making proper organization of business processes crucial. This is why Welda has been investing in digitization for more than five years. 

"Data management, processes, sales, technology...: everything here is done digitally as much as possible, paper trail and low error. We are now building on these foundations to roll out this digitalization to our customers, without losing sight of the physical contact, of course," concludes General Manager Bert Naert. "Price inquiries or orders, follow-up of current orders and deliveries, repairs... can now be followed up by our customers themselves super efficiently online in their own portal. Anyone who wants to pick up an order or repair outside working hours receives a personal code, which allows you to enter the automated Welda pickup area 24/7. Our team does not have to do anything special for this, as everything is automatic. This is the start of a new era, in which we optimize the service to our customers even further. On these principles and foundations we are rolling out our ambitious growth ambitions."