E-commerce for finished sheet metal

With corona, we all learned about the convenience of online shopping. Slabinck now extends that customer focus to sheet metal. It takes the web shop just two minutes to go from drawing to finished quotation. Then it's up to the state-of-the-art machines and craftsmanship of the team to provide that impeccable finish you are used to from the Bruges-based supplier.

The photo of the first bus that passed through Bruges that they helped build still hangs on the wall. Six generations of love for metal have made Slabinck the reference in subcontracting. A reputation it continues to uphold through constant investment to offer the widest possible range of operations, from sheet metal to machining, from welding to assembly, powder coating and electrogalvanizing included. "In short, we can finish all pieces up to 4 meters in their entirety with a total package of operations. Thanks to all the in-house capabilities, knowledge and experience, we want to be a one-stop shop for our customers, where they can put their pieces with peace of mind. Through quality and through correct communication and delivery times."

A quote in two minutes

With the addition of its own web shop for sheet metal, Slabinck clearly knows where the clapper hangs for its customers. "Ease of use and transparency are the keywords today. All the customer has to do is load his drawings. Our software takes care of the unfolding, a check on the manufacturability of the pieces, a competitive pricing and a delivery date. In two minutes, the customer knows everything he needs to know. And we go beyond just folding and cutting; post-treatments can also be included. That's where we really distinguish ourselves." For customers for whom things do need to be a little faster, Slabinck has created its Fast service. "There are always orders that can't wait. We guarantee our customers that it only takes 24 hours per operation to get them delivered impeccably."

Continue to invest in automation

An approach made possible only by the strong tandem of skilled workers and quality machinery. "We want to eventually create a complete digital flow from our webshop on the shop floor, from quotation to shipment. Fortunately, we can count on the craftsmanship of our people. That remains the cornerstone. In addition, we are constantly investing in our state-of-the-art machinery to keep raising our standards in terms of efficiency and quality." Recently, a new laser cutting machine linked to a high bay warehouse and a bending robot were added. "By automating, we want to be able to do more with the same people. A work that is certainly not over yet. The intention is to continue this course in the coming years and to keep investing." A new ERP system will already follow next year, which will seamlessly connect with the shop floor for complete transparency. Industry 4.0 at its best, in other words. 

Synergy with second branch

This is not only happening on the 12,000 m² the company has at its disposal on the industrial estate on the outskirts of Bruges. An additional asset of Slabinck is the second branch it has at its disposal in Macedonia. "An investment that has created a lot of synergy and flexibility. An added value also for our customers. Here we can focus on automation and robotization to efficiently process small series and meet competitive delivery deadlines. There we have all the room we need for the larger series work."