Our network not only generates ideas, but also tangible business relationships. Many of our member companies work together as part of our network, in working groups and negotiating groups, in recurring exchanges of experience and in individual projects.
Time and again, we see how valuable our cooperation is: trust grows, distances become shorter and solutions are found more quickly.
Our new series shows that some of our member companies also successfully enter into business relationships with each other: as customers and suppliers.
In this first article, Dr. Gerrit Schlömer from KODA Stanz- und Biegetechnik GmbH and Felix lütke Zutelgte from BSW-Anlagenbau GmbH report on what their business tandem looks like.
Which member companies are doing business in this tandem?
Dr.-Ing. Gerrit Schlömer: We are the customer in this tandem. HOBA STEEL GmbH, a KODA Group company based in Holzwickede, develops and manufactures high-quality wall and floor elements made of stainless steel, ferrite steel, brass and bronze. The product range includes tiles, parquet, mosaics, skirting boards, profiles and stair treads. Another major business area is stainless steel guidance systems for the blind, which are used in many public buildings throughout Europe, such as the Bochum District Court. A current reference for our tiles, which were processed by BSW: the Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier, the newest shopping center in the Hanseatic city.
Felix lütke Zutelgte: We are the supplier. BSW-Anlagenbau GmbH from Everswinkel near Münster is a family-run company with around 200 employees. Our company specializes in metal and sheet metal processing and plant engineering. We develop machines and systems for the pharmaceutical industry under the MBL brand. In sheet metal processing, the focus is on design support and production optimization of machine cladding, housings and welded assemblies. At BSW, we use state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies to produce precise metal and sheet metal assemblies made of stainless steel, steel and aluminum – reliably and in high quality for demanding customers.
What exactly does your collaboration consist of?
Dr.-Ing. Gerrit Schlömer: The cooperation is based on the fact that BSW’s machinery, which specializes in stainless steel sheet metal processing, optimally complements HOBA-STEEL’s production capacities – especially in the processing of large format plates. In addition, we have the opportunity to flexibly outsource order peaks in our project-intensive business to BSW. This means that both sides benefit from an efficient division of labor and a reliable partnership.
How did the first contact between your companies come about?
Felix lütke Zutelgte: The decisive impetus for the collaboration came during a tour of our company as part of a NIRO workshop. Our customer was able to see for himself the care and conscientiousness with which we process high-quality stainless steels. Our professionalism and responsible handling of the material tipped the scales in favor of doing business together – supported by the fortunate circumstance that we had free capacity.
What tipped the scales in favor of doing business together?
Dr.-Ing. Gerrit Schlömer: The decisive reason for our cooperation was the reliable and high-quality execution of the sheet metal work. While our previous supplier had difficulties delivering the parts without damage, here we could rely on clean, precise and flawless processing. This convinced us to do business together.
Do you see any advantages in working with a NIRO member?
Dr.-Ing. Gerrit Schlömer: Yes, working with a NIRO member offers clear advantages. In particular, the direct exchange from management to management creates short decision-making paths, promotes open communication and enables fast and uncomplicated processing. This creates a basis of trust on which joint projects can be implemented efficiently and in a spirit of partnership.
Were there any particular challenges in the collaboration? If so, how did you solve them?
Felix lütke Zutelgte: There were no significant challenges in the collaboration, both sides knew each other and immediately knew what was important thanks to the mutual company visits.
What role did personal trust from the network play for you?
Dr.-Ing. Gerrit Schlömer: Personal trust in the network plays a central role, as it forms the basis for cooperation, mutual support and reliability. At NIRO in particular, trust determines whether recommendations are made, whether sensitive issues can be addressed openly and whether long-term partnerships develop. Without this personal trust, the network would be significantly less effective and sustainable results would be more difficult to achieve.
Are there plans for further joint projects?
Felix lütke Zutelgte: On the recommendation of the KODA Group, we at BSW are now using the cognitive RPA software EMMA from WIANCO OTT Robotics GmbH. EMMA helps companies to efficiently automate manual and recurring processes – even without in-depth IT knowledge. By combining classic RPA with artificial intelligence, complex applications, touchscreen devices and voice control can also be integrated. In the future, we are planning a regular exchange to discuss use cases and solve mutual challenges together.
Thank you very much for answering the questions and for sharing this joint success story of member companies with us!