Sheet metal working and machining with expertise

Most subcontractors in the metal sector focus on one specific activity, for example machining or sheet metal working. Steen Parts & Prototyping is an exception. Since taking over in 2017, Sebastiaan Steen and his girlfriend Ann-Sophie Samyn chose to add sheet metal working to the existing specialization in machining. The production facilities were expanded, as was the machine park. The family business from West Flanders' Zedelgem (near Bruges) can also count on a driven team of employees with know-how. And it continues to seek technically skilled personnel to guarantee customers the same high quality in the future.

Steen Parts & Prototyping does not produce its own finished products, but makes all possible parts in metal and plastic that can be used in industry. This ranges from small gears to complete constructions for machines. To do this, they start from 2D drawings or 3D designs supplied by manufacturing companies from various sectors. 

There was another gap

"Before the acquisition just over five years ago, this company specialized in machining operations with a focus on single pieces and custom work. I am convinced that through hard work and targeted investment you can grow further. That is why I immediately had a new 2,400 m² production hall built. Step by step, the machinery was further optimized to also be able to produce small and medium-sized series for our customers. Meanwhile, the production hall includes 5 CNC milling machines for machining a wide variety of workpieces and 3 CNC lathes for machining pieces up to 1,000 mm long with a maximum diameter of 300 mm. Other investments were an automatic sawing machine and a deburring machine," says business manager Sebastiaan Steen. "For sheet metal working, however, we invariably had to rely on external partners, so you always lose a bit of flexibility. I wanted to fill that gap. We bought a fiber laser cutting machine with a 6 kW source and a bending bench up to 100 tons, which are compatible with each other, allowing us to process sheet metal ourselves since the summer of 2022. In addition, we installed workstations for spot, TIG and MIG/MAG welding. So today we have become a total partner with expertise in both machining and sheet metal working."

Effect of cross-pollination

This strategy has not harmed Steen Parts & Prototyping. Not only have we gained new customers for sheet metal working, but through cross-pollination and word-of-mouth advertising, our customer base for machining is also growing. The goal remains to build long-term relationships with all customers. They can come to the supply company with total projects, but equally with a complex part that they cannot machine themselves. Whatever the job, the ISO 9001-certified company carries out everything down to the smallest detail. Sebastiaan still works on the shop floor every day and Ann-Sophie takes care of the administrative tasks. 

"The up-to-date fleet of CNC-controlled machines is obviously important, but above all our motivated employees with expertise in the field of machining and sheet metal working mean enormous added value for customers. Our experienced team guarantees accurate completion of every job, but also provides advice on how customers can further optimize their products," explains Sebastiaan Steen. 

"By the way, we are constantly looking for technically skilled personnel, and this is no easy task, with a number of large companies nearby. As a number of employees are retiring in the near future, rejuvenation is also pressing. Although the team was strengthened last year with two additional employees, there are still several vacancies. With us, people join an enthusiastic team and get a job full of variety. The image of metalworking companies with dirty workshops and outdated machines is no longer true. Steen Parts & Prototyping offers a clean and healthy working environment with modern machinery." ■