“The IP of the machine goes entirely to our customer. That’s unusual in our industry”
A first introduction to who we are at VINTIV and where we make a difference. The April edition of Belgian Advanced Manufacturing Technologies featured an interview with Joris Ceyssens, one of our directors. A conversation about the transfer of intellectual property, new versus retrofit, and our future plans.
“We develop and build high-tech custom machinery. In addition, we retrofit existing machines into state-of-the-art production equipment. In both cases, we offer our customers a customized total technical solution. We translate their business model or business idea into a machine solution.”
“Suppose you want to launch a new product. But there is no machine on the market that can make that product. Then we engineer and build a custom machine that fits your needs. Or another scenario: you now produce with a standard machine, just like your competitors. But you want to get ahead by capitalizing on your product and process knowledge. Even then, a customized machine is the answer.”
Complete technical construction file
“We help secure the intellectual property in a company to strengthen their competitive position. We do that in full transparency. And that is not so common in the machine development market. As a developer, we offer the complete technical construction file of the machine. This means that not only the machine becomes our customer’s, but also the entire package of intellectual property related to the development. Thus, our customers are 100% sure that their customized machine is completely their property.”
Prototype and retrofit, in other words. Does retrofit involve very different skills and expertise than a new machine? “Not really. The big difference is that the development process of new machines is largely mechanically driven. That means that the first step in development, is the mechanics – how something is going to work.”
“When we retrofit an existing machine, those mechanics are already there. That means we don’t have to reinvent anything: the physical machine is already there. But we will, for example, strip the electrical panel and wiring of the existing machine and redesign it. Add new software, and possibly other functions.”
To 5,000 m² of manufacturing space
From what is now to our future view. What are the plans at VINTIV? “We are fully expanding our factory and offices in Beringen. From 1,000 to 1,500 m² of office space and doubling from 2,500 to 5,000 m² of manufacturing space.”
“We also recently started an engineering hub in Waregem. East and West Flanders is the heart of the Belgian manufacturing industry, so it’s only logical that we have a presence there. At VINTIV, we strongly believe in the future of that manufacturing industry, offering customized machines and the benefits they create for companies looking to increase their competitiveness. Our own focus will be on sustainable growth and financial stability.”
Rather watch than read?
This video takes in you two minutes through the main points.
Or read more?
Then download the April edition of Belgian Advanced Manufacturing Technologies.
The above article is a reworking of the article that appeared herein. Thank you to the team at Belgian Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for making this possible!