Waterjet cutting machine increases flexibility

Something is brewing in Antwerp. In its Innovative City Port, the city wants to create a future-oriented business park for start-up and innovative companies, to strengthen the link between the city and the port. A label that perfectly describes the Talenco Group as a manufacturing and service company. One such company is Talenco Technical Services, a manufacturing company for industrial projects that is the first to land on the site. To build custom structures, the company is also innovating itself, with the introduction of a water jet for all cutting work. Wouters Cutting & Welding stood in for the perfect support.

From elaboration to execution. Talenco Technical Services starts from a 3D drawing to build customized structures for its customers and eventually assemble them itself. Project manager Mannuel Van Overloop: "The great thing about this way of working is that it creates a real interaction with customers. Think of it as a tandem, of modern techniques and competences in our ranks on the one hand and the expertise of our customers about their production process and needs on the other. In this way, we always arrive at the most appropriate solution. That we thereby act as a total partner with the right certificates only makes things easier for our customers." 

The backing of other companies within the Talenco Group also provides synergy and thus added value. "For larger projects, for example, we can flexibly scale up manpower," Van Overloop said.

When it has to go really fast

Talenco's strength is the attention to detail that goes into every project. From the 3D scan that meticulously visualizes the space, to the on-site execution to make everything fit together seamlessly. "An approach that pays off. We are a young company, but growing strongly. The old production site was already bursting at the seams. We lacked not only the square footage, but especially the height to tackle increasingly large structures," Van Overloop points out. 

In anticipation of the development of the Innovative City Port, where it will then be under one roof with other companies within the Talenco Group to further strengthen synergy, new accommodation was found on an adjacent site. Space to spare, which gave Talenco Technical Services the opportunity to take even more of the production into its own hands. "By investing in our own machine for cutting, we want to gain flexibility for when things really have to go fast," says Talenco.

Right technology, right partner

Talenco Technical Services took a careful approach in weighing various cutting technologies. Van Overloop: "Since flexibility was the key factor, a waterjet cutting machine turned out to suit us best. After all, that gives us the freedom to process different materials reliably and with nice, straight cuts. Plasma does not deliver the desired straightness. A laser cutting machine does, and it would have been faster, but for us that factor plays much less of a role. The quality of finish prevails. An additional factor is that it is a simple machine to set up. All you need is a connection for water and electricity." 

They soon arrived at the Swift-Jet Pro and Wouters Cutting & Welding. "Exactly because they have all the cutting technologies in house and were able to give us the best advice. On top of that, they were able to guarantee a competitive delivery time, allowing us to quickly take control of production ourselves."

Time savings and quality injection

Waterjet cutting does require some finesse to work correctly. "You have to pay enough attention to the cutting head before you start cutting, but also afterwards, so that the nozzle cannot get clogged," Van Overloop knows. "In that respect, we could count on excellent support and training from Wouters Cutting & Welding. That's the power of choosing a local partner. As a young, ambitious company, you want to be helped quickly. We can go directly to the technician with problems and always get an answer. It clicked well between our companies from the start. They share our drive to move forward," Van Overloop adds. 

That the arrival of the Swift-Jet Pro waterjet has changed a lot is obvious. "The time savings are enormous. We no longer have to sit here waiting for pieces, but can take charge ourselves. The machine now runs four to five hours a day and could continue working unmanned evenings or weekends. That gives us the margin to continue growing in the coming years." In addition, it meant a big boost in quality. "The cut is always straight, always right. Whether in stainless steel, steel or Plexiglas for a casing. We have more opportunities to build a stronger competitive position. And who knows in the future even with a second cutting machine from Wouters Cutting & Welding, if we go to two separate workshops for stainless steel
and steel."