The devil is in the details…

Steel constructions fully protected

Every detail matters. How often do you hear successful artists, athletes and entrepreneurs say that? It’s also the motto at the company responsible for a total of 3,000 tonnes of steel structures for a new construction project in Veldhoven. Of course, the client for this project is also very interested in details. In fact, this client is a global market leader that excels in precision technology right down to the square nanometre.

At De Run 6000 in Veldhoven, the steel structures for the exterior of the new commercial buildings are already in place. The steel structures for the interior will be completed in the first quarter of 2024. Then it will be time to install the clean rooms, which will soon house research for the development of new machines for microchip production (IC’s).

GS Steel Group: preferred supplier
The client in Veldhoven is ASML, of course. The steel structures are the work of the GS Staalwerken Groep, where Henk Verhagen is responsible for procurement. “GS Staalwerken Groep has been working for ASML for many years; we are a preferred supplier. Across our branch locations, I am responsible for sourcing the steel needed for our projects. This amounts to about 15,000 to 20,000 tonnes of steel per year.”

Project-based procurement
In procurement, every detail counts. “I source our steel on a specific project basis. Once the design for a project is ready, we must install it within six to eight weeks. That means we are always working under considerable time pressure. The structure should be completed as soon as possible, because only then can the contractor start their work.” Waiting until the design is final is not an option. “That would simply be too late. So, I make sure we know in advance what type of steel profile we need. This allows me to purchase 80-90% of the required material at raw length, directly from the factory.” The specific details can wait until the design is finalised. “At that point, we know at which exact lengths the steel beams need to be cut and where, for example, the tabs and holes will be.”

Multidisciplinary team
Every project is discussed within a multidisciplinary team, which, in addition to Henk, includes the Project Leader and colleagues from Planning, the Drawing Office, and Work Preparation. “We decide how to approach our work on a project-by-project basis. Our goal is to have the steel profiles reach the construction site in the most economical way possible. Therefore, during the procurement process, I also take into account where the profiles are made, where they will be used, and the time it takes to install them. I also keep an eye on the planning.” The ASML project was a challenging puzzle. “The profiles used are not standard profiles you can buy from just any steel company. We were looking for a company that could manufacture them in the desired quantities as well as deliver them just-in-time. And we found them.”

Special detail
Essentially, standard details are purchased from suppliers who have them in stock. “However, for ASML, we also needed a detail that could be custom-made and be ready within six to eight weeks. It involved 25 tonnes of stainless steel sheet metal used to protect the steel columns of our structures while the concrete for the floors is being poured. What’s more, this stainless steel sheet metal also protects the storeys below if the sprinkler system is activated. This is important, because everything must be in perfect condition and remain that way for the clean rooms that will soon be installed within these steel structures.”

Choosing SixPointTwo
There were two candidates in the selection process: a Dutch company and SixPointTwo. In his previous job as a buyer, Henk had already worked regularly with SixPointTwo. “In my opinion, SixPointTwo would be an extremely suitable partner for this job. I knew that SixPointTwo had the capacity to deliver within five to six weeks and that Willian van Eerd never shies away from a challenge and always takes his responsibilities seriously.” Based on his experiences, Henk decided to suggest to the management that they should go with an Eastern European company this time around. “And also because of the purchasing advantages we were able to negotiate, SixPointTwo was chosen.” That choice turned out to be the right one. “It has been a positive collaboration. We did encounter some challenges with the drawings and the files we provided. SixPointTwo did a fantastic job converting and processing them – everything they supplied was 100% correct.”

Focus on speed and flexibility
The ASML project will be completed in 2024. “By then, we will have been at work for one year.” A new project is the car park of the University Hospital in Ghent, Belgium. “With 3,000 tonnes of steel structures, this truly is an XXL project: It includes materials weighing 500 kg per metre. That is heavy and specialised work.” The GS Staalwerken Groep has the professionals in-house to handle it. What’s more, the organisation is focussed on speed and flexibility. “In addition to our 500 permanent employees, we have a flexible shell that allows us to scale up and down easily. And, we have machines that can basically run 24 hours a day.”

Reputation
The GS Staalwerken Groep has five locations, each with its own specialism. The headquarters is in Helmond, with branch locations in Bladel, Nuenen, Bergeijk and Oude-Tonge. The website features various examples of special projects, such as the EYE Film Museum in Amsterdam. “As we always say: If our competitors can’t do, then we can. Our flexibility is a real asset in this respect. We can switch gears quickly, and we are not afraid to give our customers short lead times. 500 tonnes of steel structures on the work site in 8 weeks? Challenge accepted!”

The energy transition is in full swing

Czech metalwork for Dutch charging stations

The Netherlands is a leader in charging points for electric cars. Roughly estimated, our country has over 100,000 of them. And according to studies, we are on our way to having some 1.7 million charging points by 2030. Dutch installers are working very hard on this. And Czech professionals are contributing.

From companies and individuals alike, there is huge demand here in the Netherlands for solar panels, heat pumps, solar boilers, central heating boilers and charging points. That means that these are great times for installation companies who can supply, install, and maintain these sustainable, energy-saving systems.

Full service is added value
Many installation companies work for both private individuals as well as for professional clients. Although these are two distinctly unique target audiences, they do have some similarities. Both target groups are in a hurry to make their homes or business premises more sustainable – preferably today rather than tomorrow. Another similarity? They are often looking for full service. Therefore, they usually prefer to give the job to one reliable partner who can take care of the entire sustainability process for them.

Installer with metalworking capabilities
Installation companies that take care of the entire sustainability process for their customers must naturally very carefully consider quality, cost price, and process efficiency. To optimise these aspects, some installation companies make the choice to support their projects with their own construction departments. We spoke to the person in charge of the construction department at an installation company that has recently started doing business with SixPointTwo. At the request of our client, both the spokesman and the installation company will remain anonymous. “On the one hand, I am ultimately responsible for everything we make here, including substructures for solar panels and customised constructions for specific customer requests. On the other hand, I am also responsible for stock management, the procurement of materials, and outsourcing work, when necessary.”

Charging stations
Among the products this installation company supplies and installs are charging stations for electric cars. Depending on the customer requirements, these stations include one or more charging points. “Our charging station is compatible with various other brands, with or without an adapter. This means that we only need to keep one type of charging station in our stock. This allows us to make more efficient use of our warehouse space. The manufacturing of the charging stations is outsourced. “We have the people, but we don’t have the right machinery to make the charging stations at the right price.”

Outsourcing to SixPointTwo
Recently, the charging stations and their mounting plates have been made and delivered in their cardboard packaging – one box per charging station – by SixPointTwo. “The company that used to make the charging stations for us decided to focus on a different market segment. So, I went looking for their successor.” Through a contact, I was introduced to Iman Landheer. “After we talked, I sent Iman a drawing along with a request for a quote. Once I had the quote, we discussed what the charging station should look like and what our quality requirements are.”

Rapid communication
The head of the Construction Department has the necessary experience in selecting external partners. Are there any other requirements besides the quality requirements for the product? “I like rapid and short lines of communication; I also respond quickly to questions myself. Clear pricing is also important. And I don’t like surprises.”
The first order that was delivered had a few anomalies. “SixPointTwo has since rectified these according to our requirements. The second order was delivered exactly as agreed, and our communication is running smoothly.” With the growing need for charging stations, this certainly provides some interesting prospects…

Can’t find any skilled professionals?

The Czech task force is at your service!

Skilled workers for the SME manufacturing industry in the Netherlands are scarcer than ever. Never before have companies had so much trouble filling their vacancies, according to the Royal Metal Union’s Economic Barometer for the third quarter of this year. What can be done about this? Perhaps the solution should be sought outside the Netherlands. In the Czech Republic, for example…

According to the Economic Barometer, the situation is as follows: “Taking into account all employees, respondents have vacancies for an average of almost 5% of their total workforce. Even less than in previous quarters, only 60% of the SME manufacturers think they will be able to fill these vacancies in the next six months.” For OEMs looking to expand, this is not a pleasant prospect.

Structural problem
Unfortunately, the scarcity in the Dutch labour market is structural. It is a result of the ageing population, which will only reach its peak in 2050. Therefore, this scarcity is certain to continue until 2050. Your business cannot wait that long. Could nearshoring in the Czech Republic be the solution? Have you ever considered that? Setting up an additional supply chain in this Central European country offers many advantages. After all, it is one of the few countries in which the industrial sector is still growing. And what is also convenient is that you can do business there in your own language. SixPointTwo would be happy to give you a tour.

Czech Republic one of the world’s top-3
The Royal Metal Union recently organised a Smart Manufacturing Trade Mission to the Czech Republic. In a publication about the mission at www.metaalmagazine, Paul Verlinden, Policy Secretary for International Entrepreneurship at the Royal Metal Union, said the Czech Republic is now in the top-3 of the world’s best locations for industrial production. He explained further: “And it goes without saying that this is due to the highly educated workforce and the focus on knowledge and innovation. The country offers many opportunities right now for both export as well as for the outsourcing of production processes or even for the set up of a proprietary manufacturing facility.”

Success factor 1: Czech craftsmen go the distance
The Czech Republic has a large range of skilled professionals. This is thanks to its high-quality education system, which offers courses closely aligned with the practical aspects of the industrial sector. What is also unique here is the Czech work ethic. We see it at SixPointTwo: Our Czech employees are often excellently trained, committed, and highly motivated. They are used to keeping up the pace. Another advantage is that the wages in the Czech Republic are much lower than those in the Netherlands. An added bonus is that the distance and transport times are not major obstacles. It only takes one day to transport products and materials from the Czech Republic to the Benelux/Western Europe.

Success factor 2: The Dutch approach
Are you hesitant to move your manufacturing and assembly operations to the Czech Republic? No need to worry. At SixPointTwo, we combine Czech craftsmanship with our efficient Dutch approach to organisation and production. Our production site is highly automated and completely up-to-date. With our certified work processes, we have proven that we comply with the international standards related to quality management, the environment, and health and safety.

Delivery from the Czech Republic is simple
The Czech Republic is the perfect country for setting up an additional supply chain. We know this from our own experience: SixPointTwo has been operating there since 2009. Around us, we are also seeing more and more companies that have specialised in serving OEMs in the Netherlands and other Western European countries. If you want to outsource your manufacturing and assembly operations to the Czech Republic, now seems like the right time. After all, you will never be able to fill your vacancies with migrant workers alone. But it is possible to move (a part of) your supply chain to the Czech Republic. We will be happy to assist you in this. Would you like to know more? Then, please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Willian van Eerd (willian.van.eerd@sixpointtwo.eu – +31 (0) 6 300 611 23).

From 3D design to product: that’s how it works

Edwin de Graaf on Bredenoord’s relationship with SixPointTwo:
“A great, well-organised company that fits perfectly with our needs.”

Bredenoord’s energy solutions are used every day around the globe. This includes generators and battery packs for temporary and mobile power at major international events, such as festivals and sports tournaments. Bredenoord’s solutions have proved their value in construction and infrastructure projects and as emergency power supplies for firefighting organisations, hospitals and data centres. “We develop all these solutions in-house. Which is why we have an R&D department with 30 employees,” explained Edwin de Graaf, product manager Power Generation and Distribution.

Bredenoord has been around for over 85 years. The family-owned company is headquartered in Apeldoorn and has branches and depots in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and Austria. It also collaborates with several international partners.

Generators
Bredenoord offers different types of generators for supplying power. Customers can rent or buy them. “Besides generators running on ordinary diesel, we also have generators running on HVO, renewable diesel that is CO2-neutral. We also have generators that run on biogas derived from sewage treatment. It’s a really clean fuel perfectly suited to engines. We also offer methanol-based and hydrogen-based solutions, among others. The most appropriate solution for any given situation depends on several factors, such as customer demand, location and applicable emission regulations.”

Smart solutions
Bredenoord is actively involved in the development of even cleaner fuels. “At the moment, it’s still very difficult to offer solutions that are 100% fossil-free ’from well to wheel’ in our market.” However, Bredenoord’s customers can count on energy solutions that offer optimum performance and minimise environmental impact. “For example, we can work with a combination of generators. When less power is needed, such as at night, it can be provided by the smaller generator. For the higher daytime power requirements, you then use the larger generator installed alongside. Another smart solution is to combine a generator with a battery pack that reduces fuel requirements.”

Rental and transport
Renting solutions for temporary and mobile power is by far the largest market for Bredenoord. Transport plays an important role in this context. “We have 40 lorries of our own and also hire trucks and aim to ensure that all our lorries are as clean as possible. We are moving towards the use of electric cranes for loading and unloading products. The battery pack for these cranes is charged on the move. At the construction site, there is then no need to run a diesel engine for this purpose.”

Protecting products on the move
Various Bredenoord products are transported to clients. Besides generators, battery packs, distribution boxes and transformers, charging masts and cables are also supplied. “All these products were designed down to the last rivet by our designers. The same applies to the rental production frames (including enclosures, canopies and containers) that protect the products.”
Production and assembly of both the products and rental production frames are outsourced in part to various partners. SixPointTwo has been one of these partners for a year and a half. “We provide the supplier with a 3D drawing so he can see how a subproduct must be made and what operations are required to do this.”

Cable reels
SixPointTwo’s first assignment was to make cable reels. “We developed a handy cable reel that customers can unwind and rewind themselves. This ensures the cable is well secured. Moreover, the reel can be secured to the lorry’s attachment system embedded in the floor of the loading area. We designed this certified, bayonet-based system ourselves.” The cable reel is pallet-sized and made of fully hot-dip galvanised steel. It’s safe to say it’s a robust utility item. “And that’s a must because cabling is an expensive and damage-prone component.”

Cabinets for charge points
SixPointTwo has also made cabinets for charge points from Bredenoord. “Electric car charge points are used at locations, such as construction sites and at events. The cabinet consists of an outer frame that is cut, edged, welded and then galvanised. It will also contain an inner plate to which a charging unit will be attached. SixPointTwo made and assembled this steel structure. It was then shipped to the Netherlands and we installed the charge points: two per cabinet.”

Added value:
The first assignment clearly confirmed the added value Edwin de Graaf expects from SixPointTwo: “We supply a drawing and a product comes back: that’s exactly what we want,” he said. Our visit to the production facility in Humpolec also filled us with confidence: “It’s a great, orderly company that is well organised. It is peaceful and quiet. Everything is ready and materials are labelled. The staff can work quickly, efficiently and ergonomically. When I see a company like that, I know it will suit us.” However, a long-term relationship requires much more. “We want to build robust relationships with our trusted partners. And you can rest assured; mistakes will be made on both sides. But what we think is important is that you investigate these together, as partners, and then figure out how to solve the problem. We can sort out how to deal with the corresponding costs afterwards. We experienced this when there was an error in one of our drawings. We now know that SixPointTwo takes this approach too.”

Want to ensure you don’t lose precious time?

Do the critical component check!

You want to deliver sold goods to your customers as quickly as possible. SixPointTwo can support you in this as part of your production chain. We are happy to work with you to optimise and manage the lead times of modules and products. “A complex market situation makes it difficult to make reliable forecasts. That’s why we work with you to find structural solutions that save you time and money,” said Willian van Eerd, CCO of SixPointTwo. “For instance, having critical components stocked at SixPointTwo could be an efficient solution.”

Lead times are a recurring topic of conversation, both with prospects and customers. “We always cover this topic from the start, even during the introduction phase with potential clients. To find the optimal solution, we do a ‘longest lead time’ analysis or perform value stream mapping.”

Longest lead time analysis
The longest lead time analysis provides insight into the part of the production chain in which SixPointTwo is involved. “First of all, we discuss the desired lead time of the product that SixPointTwo is making or could make for you. We then screen the item’s production process for components that slow it down, i.e. the critical components. These are often purchased parts with long lead times in complex composite products. For instance, this might include a special sensor or electric motor we have to source from China. To eliminate the delay, we draw up a proposal for stocking these bought-in parts. At SixPointTwo, they are then immediately available for processing, which reduces the lead time for your product.”

Exclude risks
The proposal SixPointTwo draws up for you, as a prospect or customer, will include multiple stocking options. “Based on that, you decide which risks you want to exclude. We then carefully adjust the quantities of stock accordingly. For example, one such risk is damage risk. You want to avoid having to postpone revisions or upgrades to your products because there is still a lot of stock. However, you also want to eliminate the availability risk. Because the critical components have to be in stock when you place an order with us.”

Once the final choice is made, SixPointTwo organises the solution and maintains the desired stock of critical components. “We keep our finger on the pulse of market conditions at all times because these are so changeable. We talk to you regularly about the current stock requirements needed to keep lead times to your customers as low as possible.”

Value stream mapping
Value stream mapping goes a step further than longest lead time analysis. “It involves regularly mapping the overall production chain. This is how we scrutinise the overall lead time of the project and the product. We go beyond just the process at SixPointTwo, we map the production chain from start to finish. This gives us insights into where value is added to the product. On this basis, we can then identify where decoupling points should be located and what is required to realise this. Particularly in complex production chains, value stream mapping is incredibly useful,” said Willian van Eerd. “It clarifies where unnecessary intermediate stocks are held. It often transpires that substantial savings in both time and costs can be realised.”