The future is faster, more automated production
Established in 2008 by Rijk Imminkhuizen, the Dutch family-owned company Imminkhuizen Metaaltechniek has grown over the years. It now offers a wide range of services to its customers, who are mainly based in the Netherlands. Their special expertise consists of producing components for both finer and coarser machine construction. In addition, Imminkhuizen Metaaltechniek creates molds that are mostly used for the injection molding of technical products.
Early adopter
The company located in Barneveld is run by Rijk Imminkhuizen and his wife Margriet, together with their sons Wilbert and Henry. They have seven full time employees. “Prodec is of course a reasonably new material, but we have always been keen to work with the best possible machining materials. Before, we used competing materials from a few different companies,” says Wilbert Imminkhuizen.
“Immediately, we were very satisfied with the high, consistent quality of the stainless steel bars. It means less tool wear, so it is sustainable and saves us money, and, following the suggestions made by IMS, it really ensures a faster way of machining. We are well aware of the thousands of options we have in choosing the best machining materials, depending on the type of plate or the supplier and many, many other factors. But for us, it was a very conscious decision to convert completely to Outokumpu Prodec bars.”
Bling-bling and heavy-duty
Imminkhuizen’s customers are mainly machine builders, but their demands range from very fine to much coarser constructions. “On the one hand we have clients in what I refer to as the ‘bling-bling industry’, such as food production and the packaging business,” Imminkhuizen explains. “These clients require very fine machine constructions. On the other hand, we have the building companies, working with heavy cranes and such. One day we work on a series of products, the other on a unique, individual machining solution. But whatever we are working on or deliver, we strive for consistently high quality.”
Fast forward
High levels of productivity and efficiency are equally important. “We can now turn harder and cut faster, so we can produce harder, faster and longer, so it is hugely cost-effective. We can have our machines working around the clock, saving time and labour costs. The Prodec bars also make for better surface quality and tolerances. We have no doubt whatsoever we will make more and more and different use of Outokumpu Prodec bars in the future.”