New building strengthens reputation as one-stop shop for metalworking

Ready for the future

Who says 65 is synonymous with jaded? Vanderscheuren from Diksmuide could unveil for its anniversary a new building of more than 8,000 m², filled with the latest machinery. A substantial investment, which shows that the Vanderscheuren mean to be and remain the one-stop shop for metalworking. 

Vanderscheuren has been setting itself up as the reference in subcontracting for years. The company is at home in all markets (sheet metal working, welding, machining...) and in all materials (steel, alu, stainless steel...) in order to offer customers a total solution for their pieces. CEO Wim Leus: "Due to the growth that Vanderscheuren underwent in its 65th anniversary, operations were spread across four sites here in the industrial park. So when we had the opportunity to purchase the neighboring land in 2017, we didn't hesitate for a second. After all, it gave us the opportunity to centralize everything in one state-of-the-art workshop and avoid a lot of logistical movements. So a big gain in efficiency, which will also benefit our customers." Since 2022, the new 8,200 m² workshop has been fully operational. 

State-of-the-art one-stop shop

The investment in the new building shows how important that local anchoring is for Vanderscheuren. "We now have plenty of room here to enhance our reputation as a one-stop shop. Everything is made here on site in the workshop and, if required, assembled for the customer. Our ambition is to be top of mind for our customers when they are looking for a reliable partner to produce their critical parts. In the right quality, at the right price, and with great delivery reliability," Leus summarizes the mission for the coming years.

Vanderscheuren began 65 years ago as a sole proprietorship. The lathe purchased at the startup still adorns the workshop. "We are proud of our roots, but at the same time we continue to look forward. Hence, we also invested 5 million euros in new machines to offer our customers all the possibilities." These included a new 10 kW fiber laser with loading tower, a welding robot with changing table, and a burner capable of processing steel up to 300 mm.

Technology at the service of people

"To the extent possible, we looked at automation. To create more capacity, but also to be at the service of our people, to make their job a little bit lighter. You need people to make technology work. Not the other way around. With more than 2,500 unique products passing through here every year, it's impossible to automate everything. That's why we want to use the technical knowledge of our 110 employees in the best way possible."

Vanderscheuren itself invests in expanding that knowledge by organizing training courses so that employees can continue to perfect their craft. At the same time, it is already betting on the next generation. Vanderscheuren partnered with the local technical school to run hands-on classes in the new studio. "A no-brainer. As an industry, we need to get on board to help ensure the influx and, in time, our prosperity. The students can get a taste of real-world metalworking here one day a week for a quarter. We are happy to make our machines and our people available for this purpose. After all, these young people are our future."

Close partners

That long-term thinking is in Vanderscheuren incidentally, has been ingrained since its inception. "It has always been our endeavor to grow together with our customers. There are customers we have been serving today for more than sixty years. We want to keep it that way in the future by really working together. Side by side. In any case, with the recent investments, we have all the capabilities in house, with flexible machinery and driven employees, to do so with equal success for the next 65 years," Leus continues. And in the most sustainable way possible. The roof is already full of solar panels, which Vanderscheuren in 30 to 40% of its energy needs. "In addition, a project is now underway to monitor our machines and see how we can learn from that data to make sustainable choices."