Looking back and
looking ahead
Looking back
In 2017, we presented ourselves at a large number of trade fairs around the world. We attended Lamiera in Italy, Industrie Lyon in France, Blechexpo in Germany and FABTECH in the USA. In addition to these fairs, we were also represented together with our partners worldwide at a large number of trade fairs focusing on sheet metal working.
In 2017, we also organised the biennial SafanDarley E-volution Days. We presented the Mini Cell during this event. The Mini Cell is idealy suited for the automatic production of small complex products. Programs for the Mini Cell are created off-line using the Robobend off-line simulation software.
In addition to the latest innovations, we also showed our wide range of machines. Attendees had the opportunity to follow a number of workshops, including ones focusing on AutoPOL software.We can look back on two successful days during which we enjoyed a high customer attendance.
The MTB (mountain bike) Tour stood out as a particularly fun event in 2017. Together with a group of partners, SafanDarley did some exciting work for charity. A beautiful route was followed through the hilly landscape of southern Limburg. SafanDarley doubled the money raised from the registration fee for the tour and donated it to a Disabled Sports Charity.
Maarten Coerman took up the position of General Director of the SafanDarley group in October 2017. Maarten has more than 20 years of experience in various positions in the graphics industry - the last 10 years of which included supervisory positions with North American and European groups. He hopes to contribute to the further international growth and professionalism of SafanDarley with his experience and expertise.
The Management team changed in 2017 with a new R&D manager (Paul van Stratum) and a new Service manager (Frank Spiertz). We plan to develop new technologies and services in the area of R&D and Service over the coming years. In this context, Service has become an independent profit centre and is no longer part of the sales organisation.
Looking ahead
There are a number of great projects in the programme for the new year, which will enable us to continue our growth in 2018. We will further expand our production capacity in Lochem (E-Brake technology) and Eijsden (H-Brake and Hybrid technology). We see a growing market in central Europe and a rapidly growing market in North America. Our service branch in Baltimore (USA) enables us to respond effectively to USA customer demand.
Off-line software is becoming increasingly important. We are responding to this with our AutoPOL software. The new version, called AutoPOL GT, was recently introduced.Another trend we are seeing is the increasing demand for a high tonnage on a small machine.
TechniShow is on the schedule for 2018. Along with our standard machine range, we will also be presenting a number of wonderful innovations during this trade fair. You can visit us at TechniShow from March 20 to March 23 in Hall 7, booth B010.
We also invite you to visit us at EuroBlech 2018, where we will present a number of new concepts. EuroBlech 2018 takes place in the autumn, from 23 to 26 October.