_________________________________________________________________________________________________ VDL Steelweld
This approach has formed a key part of the organization’ s overall expansion strategy over the years.
“ We all have responsibilities for our local customers,” Darren elaborates.“ Our entities are established around them. Typically, we support a small number of key customers and support and follow them across the world. For example, we established our entity in Slovakia because JLR have a large production facility there. It means that we can collaborate with all our regional headquarters, ready to call on their strengths and expertise when we need it.”
Digital innovation
Alongside its customer-focused global presence, VDL Steelweld continues to invest heavily in the technologies shaping the future of manufacturing. Richard explains how the company’ s long-standing commitment to digital innovation is helping customers prepare for the next generation of automation.
“ As automation within the automotive sector has continued to improve, we’ ve been developing Industry 4.0 and virtual commissioning for around 15 years – particularly in terms of simulating factories and throughput,” he says.“ The next leap for us would be intuitive automation. It’ s not quite there yet, but technology moves quickly within the automotive sector, and we’ re certainly receiving an increasing number of requests for more autonomous solutions.”
Next chapter
While advancing automation remains central to VDL Steelweld’ s vision, technology is only one part of the company’ s long-term strategy. Richard and Darren conclude our conversation by discussing how sustainable growth, market diversification, and investment in people will underpin the next chapter of the business.
“ We’ re aiming towards sustainable, steady growth. There are certainly automation
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