Dutch customer renews faith in Saomad by investing in a second CNC machine to increase production flexibility and competitiveness in the bespoke window market.
During the recent test run of the Woodpecker Mirai at our premises, we had the opportunity to ask a few questions to Edwin Schoonderbeek, owner of the company, and Rick Kamphuis, factory manager, to find out more about the motivations and objectives of this important investment.
A company rooted in the land with a clear vision
DE HOEF is not a company that aims at mass production. Their company philosophy is clear: specialisation in complex work and tailor-made details for the residential construction market. “We mainly specialise in special work,” explains Rick Kamphuis, “details and adaptations in the building, especially for apartment complexes which, as the name suggests, are very complex in the way they are designed.”
This specialisation translates into a precise market choice: exclusively B2B, working with construction companies in the central region of the Netherlands. “We prefer to work business to business because then we speak more or less the same language,” emphasises Kamphuis, highlighting how mutual understanding is crucial in an industry where technical details make all the difference.
Fifteen years of reliability: the basis for a new investment
The story between DE HOEF and Saomad does not begin with the Woodpecker Mirai. The Dutch company has been using a Titanium for more than 15 years and has produced around 4,000 window frames per year at peak times, currently stabilised at around 3,000. “The machine works very well,” the interviewees comment, emphasising a key fact: zero significant problems in 15 years of intensive production.
This proven reliability was the first building block in the decision to renew the entire fleet of machines, now 15-20 years old, by continuing the partnership with Saomad through Dutch dealer Gerretsen Wijhe.
The distinguishing factors in choosing Saomad
Before confirming the investment in Woodpecker Mirai, DE HOEF also carefully evaluated two other competing companies. The final choice was influenced by elements beyond mere technical specifications.
Family business as a guarantee of quality
“One of the big reasons why we chose Saomad is the family business and the fact that they create the machine by producing all components in-house,” points out Edwin Schoonderbeek. This distinguishes Saomad from other companies that ‘assemble’ machines by buying components from different suppliers. “You have everything in your hands,” the owner emphasises, recognising the value of total control over the production chain.
Optimal size for customised service
Saomad positions itself in what Kamphuis calls the ‘ideal size range’: large enough to have everything in-house, but not so massive that direct contact is difficult. This philosophy of accessibility is also reflected in the relationship with retailer Gerretsen, with whom DE HOEF has established an excellent relationship over time. A crucial aspect for a company that, despite being a ‘rather small player’, needs quick and competent answers.
Customer service that makes a difference
“If we have a problem, we know we can count on the Gerretsen service, no matter if we call them at 23:00 at night, they answer the phone and give us all the help we need,” says Schoonderbeek.
This level of support, described as ‘very important’, represents invaluable added value in an industry where downtime can jeopardise deliveries.
Woodpecker Mirai: the answer to modern market challenges
The investment in the new CNC machine is not only dictated by the need for technological renewal, but responds to precise strategic requirements:
Greater production versatility
“What we really expect from this machine is that it will make us more versatile,” explains Kamphuis. Current production requires ‘bundling things together to be efficient’, limiting operational flexibility. The Woodpecker Mirai will allow us to be ‘more flexible in our production‘, which is crucial to meet the increasingly customised demands of the market.
Automation as a competitive necessity
The Dutch window market now demands the use of CNC machines and machining centres as a production standard. “We really cannot wait any longer,” admits Kamphuis, “everyone is doing it, we have to do it too. This is not a race for profit, but a necessity to remain competitive in a ‘very fierce’ market.
The answer to the skilled labour shortage
‘All young people want to be influencers and don’t want to be in the factory,’ Schoonderbeek realistically observes. The Woodpecker Mirai, capable of operating with a single operator and working ‘without a human presence‘ after working hours, is a concrete response to this generational challenge. From four machines with four operators, the company will be able to optimise available human resources while increasing production capacity.
First impressions and future prospects
Initial feedback on the Woodpecker Mirai is positive: “We have confidence in what we have seen here. The machine works,” confirms Schoonderbeek. There are a few ‘details that we need to calibrate’, but collaboration with the Saomad technical team is progressing effectively to optimise the machine to DE HOEF’s specific requirements.
An investment in the future based on establishedvalues
DE HOEF’s decision to invest in the Woodpecker Mirai represents more than just a technological upgrade. It is testimony to how solidrelationships, proven reliability and sharedvaluescan create lasting partnerships in the B2B sector.
In an increasingly competitive and automated market, where the shortage of skilled labour is a growing challenge, the combination of DE HOEF’s craftsmanship expertise and Saomad’s advanced technology promises to open up new opportunities for growth, ensuring quality, attention to detail and efficiency.
