Networking in the Venice of the North

"Thank you for your trust" - there are many ways a manufacturer can let its customers know. Hoffmann Group opted for a playful and pleasant activity and invited some West Flanders customers to a culinary walk in Bruges, accompanied by two experienced city guides. The event by the specialist in quality tools, machining, clamping technology, measuring technology, grinding and cutting technology, business equipment and personal protective equipment was enjoyed. Metaalvak walked along and collected reactions about the event itself and the cooperation between Hoffmann Group and its customers.

"Bruges is oltied schoane: early in the morning, during the day, snavens and at night," dixit singer and songwriter Willy Lustenhouwer. On Friday, June 10, Hoffmann Group invited local clients to a culinary walk through the Venice of the North. 

"We wanted to thank them for the years of trust in Hoffmann and our products. Moreover, after a time of only online contact through Covid-19, it was once again possible to meet physically. Therefore, we thought it was an ideal time to give our local customers an extra treat," says account manager Frank de Jong. His colleague Hein Vandoorne adds: "We are very pleased that we were able to welcome a group of more than thirty people, mainly West Flemish customers, on a Friday evening. During this networking event they were not only able to expand their knowledge of Bruges or enjoy the delicious food, but above all there was also room to get to know each other better and build new relationships." 

Networking event with a culinary edge

Frank and Hein, together with machining specialist Carlos Cappelle, were in charge of welcoming and escorting the guests from the eye-catching Concert Hall at 't Zand. Hoffmann's financial manager had also come all the way from the headquarters in Borne, the Netherlands, to Bruges - an added bonus that could be relished by the customers. 

Two experienced guides each took part of the group in tow for a pleasant and educational walking tour of the inner city. At restaurants Cafedraal (aperitif and starter) and De Florentijnen (main course and dessert) both groups met again and in between they could also taste chocolatier Dominique Persoone's chocolates. 

The reactions were unanimously positive. For example, Christof Verhaeghe, Managing Director of Mecotech, was very much in favor of this kind of out-of-the-box customer event, and Patrick Seintebein, responsible for purchasing and after-sales service at Robland N.V., enjoyed the unique finale to a week. Mecotech in Houthulst, as a one-stop shop for machining operations, mechanical repairs and welding, has been a satisfied Hoffmann customer for more than a decade. Robland, the Bruges-based specialist in woodworking machinery, has been buying cutting tools and all kinds of other products there for more than twenty years.

Quality and correct treatment

Such an activity is obviously not the cornerstone of long-term cooperation. Silvio Vandecandelaere, senior buyer at Mol Company in Staden, stated that reliable tool quality is extremely important for continuity and productivity on the shop floor. For years, Hoffmann's hand and cutting tools have therefore been an important link in the production process at the commercial vehicle manufacturer for more specialized applications in the military, railroads and port, as well as for use in garbage collection or in the desert. Over the last three years, the specialist's cutting tools - especially solid carbide end mills - have also proven their quality at Dana Belgium (Sint-Michiels Brugge) in the production of drive systems for vehicles used in construction, mining and forestry.

Hoffmann is also highly praised by its customers for its reliable and correct service. For IG Watteeuw (Oostkamp) and Devos Plaatbewerking (Zwevezele) it is clear: every question is answered quickly and to the point. After a contact or visit, the specialists immediately start looking for a suitable tool for each specific application. The former has been buying all kinds of tools and PPE for five years for the production of parts for scanners, microchips and gears, among others. At the latter specialist in cutting, punching, bending, welding, turning, milling and powder coating of sheet metal, Hoffmann has been a valued supplier of machining tools for six years.

Successful concept

The customers present already spoke of a successful evening. Hoffmann Group successfully repeated this concept in Hasselt, where a number of regional customers also participated in the same type of networking event.