Trader, processor and supply chain partner in one

To continue to grow and strengthen their market position, companies need to reinvent themselves from time to time. They understood that well at thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium. The Lokeren-based company was long known as a classic wholesaler of stainless steel, aluminum and steel grades. Today, however, the trader is also a processor as well as a supply chain partner. In this way, it offers customers greater added value, also for the realization of integral projects or complete outsourcing, from engineering through processing and assembly to logistics.

Wholesale stainless steel, aluminum and steel

As a wholesaler for more than 3,000 loyal customers in the Belgian metalworking industry, thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium does not shy away from any challenge. The team is constantly looking for solutions to support customers even better. "We supply a wide range of quality products in stainless steel, aluminum and various steel grades from stock: pipes, flat elements, bars and profiles - in other words, a solution for every specific application," explains commercial director Marijn van Asperen. "We have several warehouses in Belgium for this purpose, but can also fall back on thyssenkrupp's central warehouses in Germany, the Netherlands and France, or on the global network of suppliers. Customers can come to us with any question: from small-scale orders with standard materials to larger projects, which involve just that little bit more."

Machine tools and webshop for laser cutting

Although that distribution still remains the core business, much has changed in recent years. At the request of customers, the company performs all kinds of machining operations, such as 2D and 3D laser cutting, bending and sawing, as well as blasting, drilling, decoiling, slitting, grinding, brushing and water jet cutting. For this, the company has its own workshop and cooperates with external processors, specialized in galvanizing, anodizing, coating and milling. In this way, it can supply, for example, steel pipes, tubes or sheets perfectly tailored to customers' needs. It supplies semi-finished products that customers can then use immediately in their production process.

"Thanks to the Laser Works department, thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium has focused on laser cutting work for many years. Using numerous CNC-controlled fiber and CO2 cutting machines and bending machines, we process sheets, profiles and tubes in stainless steel, steel and aluminum, and are responsible for post-processing. The machine park is continuously further adapted and expanded in order to provide ever better support to customers in the metal processing industry, including guaranteed high quality and reliable delivery times," indicates the commercial director. "We are also investing in the automation and digitization of our processes. For example, we developed the webshop www.onlinelaserworks.be for laser cutting. After loading the customer's drawings, the software immediately produces a detailed quotation, including the cost price for the design. This allows customers to order laser-cut plates and edge parts 24/7. This has never been easier."

Project team takes care of clients from a to z

The combination of trader, processor and supply chain partner is quite unique. The added value makes thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium stand out in Belgium, but also in other countries, within and outside Europe. 

"Thanks to a team of specialists, we can completely unburden customers. This commercial team combines technical knowledge with experience in project management to analyze, manage and/or improve projects. We provide technical support in terms of material selection or design, calculation, stock management, taking care of all kinds of documents, even selecting specific packaging, marking and logistical processing," says Marijn van Asperen. 

"We offer many other services. For example, we propose alternative offers by economic aspects, and use our national and international procurement network of suppliers to always work out the best solution. Production takes place in Belgium, in Europe, even worldwide, and is optimally adapted to the expected costs, deadlines and services. The international presence of thyssenkrupp with its own employees and equipment is an important added value. We are responsible for just-in-time deliveries from stock or production by road, rail, water and air transport, taking care of all necessary documents, such as certificates, customs clearance documents... This allows the customer to focus fully on his core business."

Conclusion

Ultimately, thyssenkrupp Materials Belgium is a total supplier with an extensive stock of products in stainless steel, aluminum and steel, numerous machining operations and a project team for the realization of total projects. An excellent technical knowledge of products and applications and a reliable and sustainable service are indispensable for this.