From forklift to AGV: how Vanderscheuren is digitizing and becoming more sustainable towards the Factory of the Future

From niche supplier to agile manufacturing partner with AGVs, MES and a human-centered approach

The West Flemish metal processor Vanderscheuren is in the midst of a major transformation. Since 1957, the company has been producing components in Diksmuide and is now fully committed to digitalization, customer diversification, automation, and sustainability. With the support of Agoria and Sirris, Vanderscheuren aims to evolve into a true Factory of the Future. From internal automation with AGVs to a strong focus on ecology and human-centered innovation, the foundations have been laid for a future-proof factory where growth, flexibility and sustainability go hand in hand.
 

Metal processor Vanderscheuren is fully committed to the future

Broadening, digitization and robotization will bring growth and the Factory of the Future label in the long term. "We are in full transition. The foundations are in place, now we are building a future-proof factory with Agoria and Sirris," says CEO Yves Vandenhende.

With the Yser Tower within walking distance, trenches and bunkers in the ground, the past is always present in Diksmuide. Also at Vanderscheuren. The company was founded in 1957 and develops and processes metal parts into semi-finished products or fully finished and tested products. After almost 70 years, the company has 20,000 m2 of business space, 110 employees and a turnover of 13 million euros.

For years, Vanderscheuren ran on two large West Flemish machine builders. That strategic focus paid off, but became a risk. In 2023, the company initiated a change of course: broadening was necessary.

"With the support and guidance from the Make The Future-program van Agoria en Sirris we plan an acceleration of growth. We are broadening our customer portfolio to include several sectors. In the short term, we plan to grow at least 10% per year to an annual turnover of 18 million in 2027. We want 80% of our turnover to come from at least twenty customers from now on," says Yves Vandenhende, CEO of Vanderscheuren. "And the widening is succeeding. A number of new customers from various sectors have already found their way to us."

From scan to multi-year plan to growth

The first step in the transformation? After a clear consultation with Tjorven Denorme, community manager at Agoria Sirris evaluated Vanderscheuren thoroughly through the Factory of the Future-scan. This was completed by the entire management and laid the foundation for a multi-year plan. Vanderscheuren has already scored on several of the seven strategic transformations. But especially in Digital Factory, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and Eco Factory, the metalworker is making great strides today.

Vandenhende: "Agoria and Sirris are our most important partners in this. Through their network and expertise, we don't have to invent the wheel. And we speak faster with the right experts. We meet weekly. Every two months, we participate in a learning network with other candidate companies."
 

Concrete innovation: AGV provides internal transport

An example of innovation? The introduction of an AGV, or an automated guided vehicle. "This self-driving vehicle will provide internal transport from production to logistics," explains Vandenhende. "Our forklifts travel up to five kilometres a day between production and shipping. One AGV will already automate thirty percent of internal transport. If that goes well, a second one will soon follow. In the past, it would have taken us months. Now it is up and running in four months, thanks to knowledge sharing with a fellow company via the Agoria network."

Technology is essential, but not an end in itself. Vandenhende strongly believes in a people-oriented approach. Employees are involved in transformations, such as in the AGV project. "We organize small working groups. People know that robotization does not threaten their jobs, but rather helps them to keep safe and meaningful work." This human-centred approach is also reflected in training. The company trains classic profiles to become multi-deployable employees, with attention to communication and the culture of 17 nationalities.

Exciting journey to label 'Factory of the Future'

Vanderscheuren also makes a difference in terms of sustainability. Fifteen years ago, it installed solar panels on the roof. And now it is also accelerating in this area. "We are becoming more sustainable on several fronts: electrification of the vehicle fleet, more thorough collection for recycling, and a sharp look at the ecological footprint of packaging and production processes. Applicants, especially the younger generation, explicitly ask about this. Sustainability is no longer an add-on, it is a core value."

Vanderscheuren has not yet been officially recognized as a Factory of the Future, but the process is at least as important as the final destination. Vandenhende: "We invest in what makes us competitive: speed, flexibility and reliability, in a sustainable way. Moreover, we also inspire others. Companies from our working group have already come to look at our MES system (Manufacturing Execution System) with which we digitized the logistics flow. That also inspires us to continue."