In Depth: Dutch Production as a Guarantee for Quality
To be able to compete with the lower labour costs in Asia, Africa and the outer regions of Europe, we simply have to meet the highest quality standards. We don’t try to be the cheapest, we want to be the best. Still for a reasonable price of course.
Van Voorden Castings is a foundry based in Zaltbommel, the Netherlands. We are part of a large industrial group comprised of companies mainly based in Holland: Andus Group. All companies are specialised in high quality products, with fast and accurate service of the same level; as are most companies with production facilities in the Netherlands.
Over the years, we have seen many companies move their production sites towards countries where cost could be lower. And, especially during the first years of the economic crisis, their customers loved the new price level. But when products coming from these countries did not match up to the original products, the cost quite often turned out to be much higher. Buying cheap components does not necessarily mean the ship will turn out to be cheaper after finishing it. When products do not arrive as ordered and service lacks to adjust these mistakes, things can take a turn for the worse.
We are currently the largest propeller foundry left in the Netherlands and see a sharp rise in customers coming from all over the world, looking for an extra guarantee in quality. Former customers from larger competitors are looking for a higher level of products. They also find it easier to sell their ships with components that are guaranteed to come from a Dutch production site. Their customers are actually willing to pay extra for this. Would you be flying comfortable in an airplane, when you know all components on this airplane are the cheapest on the market? Or would you prefer that they are the best available?
As long as we keep our standards high, there will always be a demand for our products. Only by keeping this course we can keep the phrase ‘Made in Holland’ a guarantee for the best on the market.
Jochem Goldschmidt
Sales Manager Propulsion Van Voorden Castings BV
