High-Performance Machining: A Formula for Success in a Competitive Industry
In an era where far-east competitors have made a significant impact on the machining industry, companies like Vancoillie & Co. have had to adapt and innovate to remain competitive. Located in MooSelbe, near Kortrijk, Belgium, Vancoillie & Co. is a family-run business that has been specializing in the treatment of high-quality small parts for almost 30 years. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the secrets of their success, and how they’ve used high-performance machining (HPM) to stay ahead of the competition.
A Family Business with a Long History of Precision Machining
José Vancoillie, the owner of the company, has a rich experience in the industry, with his wife Ingrid handling the shooting project and himself the milling task. Today, the company employs 25 operators and 14 machine tools, including a high-performance DMC 60 machine tool. Their journey began with the treatment of parts used in agricultural machines, but over the years, they’ve expanded their services to produce small, complex, and high-quality parts for various industries, including textiles, electronics, and printing.
The Key to Success: High-Performance Machining
Vancoillie’s partnership with Seco, a leading provider of tooling solutions, has been instrumental in their success. By using Seco’s high-performance milling cutters, the company has been able to achieve significant improvements in productivity and quality. According to José Vancoillie, "We have tested several cemented carbide milling cutters from the Seco Hard End Milling series, including the JH 410 machine strawberries and the Tornado JH 40. The performance of the tool is very powerful and immediately improves productivity."
Data-Driven Decision Making
The company’s commitment to data-driven decision making has also played a crucial role in their success. By collecting and analyzing data on the performance of their tools, Vancoillie & Co. can identify areas for improvement and optimize their processes. As Lahoucine Akechtabou, Product Expert at Seco, notes, "When we obtained the test data, we sent it to our R&D team. Vancoillie data is very reliable and can be used to help us develop tools. In this case, we have offered to use another coating, which resulted in a 50% improvement in performance."
Maximizing Efficiency
In addition to using the best tools during the machining process, Vancoillie & Co. is also committed to maximizing the efficiency of their machines. This includes investing in the latest equipment and centralized programming of machining centers to save time. As José Vancoillie notes, "Our partnership with Seco is a really long-term partnership. We work with the company to optimize their productivity of treatment and offer effective solutions, and they will provide us with data on the ‘real world’ of our products with excellent performance. The two parties will provide comments to each other. We all work towards a common goal."
Conclusion
In a highly competitive industry, it’s easy to get lost in the noise. However, by focusing on high-performance machining, data-driven decision making, and maximizing efficiency, Vancoillie & Co. has managed to stay ahead of the curve. As José Vancoillie puts it, "For me, the most important thing is the finished quality of the product. By using high-performance machining, we can ensure that our products meet the needs of our customers and help us achieve our commercial objectives."
As we continue to navigate the complexities of the machining industry, it’s clear that innovation and partnership will be key to success. At Vancoillie & Co., they’ve found that by working closely with suppliers like Seco, they can stay ahead of the competition and deliver high-quality products that meet the needs of their customers. By following their lead, businesses around the world can learn how to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.
