Customers have their say

Inno Metal is the primary supplier of sheet metal for WhisperPower

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WhisperPower is a provider of grid-independent energy systems. WhisperPower supplies these systems to maritime (yacht building, commercial shipbuilding, etc.), mobile (motorhomes, healthcare trailers, etc.) and off-grid (construction site security, mobile energy facilities) markets. Through an international network of distributors, dealers and in-house sellers, WhisperPower products are offered worldwide.

We spoke to Mark, who has been working at WhisperPower for 6 years and currently working in the business office where a team of 7 people carry out purchasing, sales, office staff and production control. Mark himself is responsible, among other things, for the incoming material flows.

Important developments at WhisperPower

A hot topic in the markets is reducing emissions. “WhisperPower therefore focused on the development of hybrid and emission-free energy systems a few years ago,” says Mark. “This means that a smaller diesel generator is placed in the system and that it has fewer operating hours or that the diesel generator is no longer used in the system at all. In order to provide sufficient energy, a larger battery bank and battery chargers are used, possibly with solar panels to recharge.”

About the collaboration

When Mark started at WhisperPower 6 years ago, business was already being done with Inno Metal (then called Koridon). Initially, Inno Metal was only a supplier for only a small part of the sheet metal, but thanks to the pleasant and good cooperation, the relationship between Inno Metal and WhisperPower has continued to grow in recent years. “Inno Metal is now our primary supplier of sheet metal and is a good fit for us because of the quality of products, but especially the good delivery reliability and communication. We are always informed in good time when something does not work out and should something go wrong or need to change, this is always properly resolved,” says Mark.

Mark states that partly due to the good cooperation and the professionalism of Inno Metal, it was also possible to maintain delivery reliability during the coronavirus: “Partly because of this, WhisperPower managed to deliver to its customers during the crisis without a major delay”.

“The contact is also very pleasant and the lines of communication are short,” says Mark. For example, he states that he is not only in contact with the sales office but also with the work preparation team. In addition, WhisperPower's engineers are also in contact with Inno Metal's work preparation. All this ensures that issues can be resolved quickly and that there is as little confusion as possible in communication.

Future cooperation

“If our cooperation continues in this way, I expect it to continue and expand in the coming years, as WhisperPower is currently experiencing significant growth.”

Inno Metal thinks along with DeVi-stairlifts

DeVi-Stairlifts is the inventor and manufacturer of the UP stairlift. This is the first fully reusable stairlift that is available immediately. Inno Metal provides the metal sheet metal parts of the stairlifts. “At Inno Metal, we can count on good quality,” says Dennis Vroegindeweij, owner/director of DeVi stairlifts. “In addition, they deliver at the agreed time.”

About DeVi-Stairlifts

In 2018, DeVi-Stairlifts will launch the Up stairlift. Where the rail is no longer made of steel, but made of aluminum. Many stairlifts consist of more than 100 elements, but the Up stairlift only has two. The stairlift consists of straight profiles and their own patented curve segments. This can be easily linked together, so that every conceivable curve can be formed. With the Up stairlift, DeVi-Stairlifts won the Excellence Functionality Award at the Dutch Design Week 2019 in Eindhoven. In addition, they received a second place for the Audience Award. It is a beautiful product with GIO (Good Industrial Design) recognition! Inno Metal manufactures the metal sheet metal parts of the DeVi-Stairlifts stairlift.

Inno Metal likes to think along with its customers, including Devi stairlifts. “It's nice that Inno thinks along with us. If we indicate that a certain assembly should fit together neatly, they will provide an appropriate solution. In addition, she is there for us if we have any questions,” says Dennis. This ensures a good end result: “It all fits nicely.”

The contact between both parties is good and is experienced as pleasant. “We hope for a long-term partnership,” concludes Dennis.

Automatic gates cleverly reengineered together

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Boon Edam is the world market leader in entrance solutions. Frank Hoonakker has been employed here for 9 years in the position of Purchase Manager. For both Boon Edam and Inno Metal, a long-term and transparent relationship is the key to success.

Frank Hoonakker explains: “The way of working used to be: people ask, you produce. No more, no less. But a few years ago, this changed step by step. At the time, Koridon's (previous name of Inno Metal, location Zaandam) Commercial Director Rob Beltman indicated that he would make changes in strategy. In doing so, Koridon created more time and attention for its strategic relationships and, in particular, that they are involved in larger projects at an early stage.”

“Koridon wanted to start redeveloping products at the time, but this did not fit in terms of timing,” says Frank. “From 2017, this has been completely different. Inno Metal and Boon Edam work closely together and this is fully supported internally.

Convinced of opportunities for improvement

At some point, Inno Metal reengineered the Speedlae gates. These are special and ultra-modern access gates that are part of a wider product family within Boon Edam. After putting the new Speedlane on the market, Boon Edam was convinced that there were still important opportunities for improvement. In close cooperation with Inno Metal, this project was thoroughly tackled. The gateway is manufactured and constructed in a smarter way. Curious about the changes? We tell you about them below.

Consistent quality is very important to Boon Edam

“We think it is important that the products supplied are immediately applicable, with consistent quality so that we can build efficiently in a modular way.” “At Inno Metal, the internal processes such as standardised production and quality control are strict, which leads to a well-controlled product. The Inno Metal frame samples were checked and tested by our production line managers and the latest adjustments were quickly approved and implemented. The first production batch was delivered very soon after the final design freeze and it was more than satisfactory. It was a very fast porduct development project.”

Leader in the sheet metal processing industry

Boon Edam is very satisfied with the cooperation with Inno Metal and the results that are being achieved. “Inno Metal has set up a good organization and continues to invest in the company. Thanks to this healthy development, people will continue to bond with you. Your machines deliver high quality, the staff is well trained and manless production also has a positive influence on the cost. That's why I see you as a leader in the sheet metal processing industry. I think it is important that communication runs smoothly and that delivery reliability is satisfactory. This allows us to serve our customers optimally and completes the circle,” says Frank with satisfaction.

“Nowadays, Inno Metal knows exactly which sheet metal parts are important in our project and how the composition of our product forms a bigger picture. Because Inno Metal knows the ins and outs of our needs, we can switch faster together as the product is better understood. We see this as an added value in our relationship with Inno Metal. Suppliers play an important advisory role with us and Inno Metal has grown in this area in recent years.”

Small changes give a big result

“Inno Metal is a knowledgeable company and has the latest production techniques in-house. They always work in a solution-oriented way and together we create and achieve a good end result. Continuous improvement is paramount here.

For example, we have made small changes that have led to a major result. We replaced all blind rivet nuts with rim holes with screw threads, replaced the loose plate parts with punctures, and made camhole connections to ensure dimensional accuracy. These improvements enhance repeatability and turnaround time.”

Transparent and efficient

Frank Hoonakker values a transparent organisation that is easily accessible, helpful and focused on the most efficient production option. “By redesigning the frame together and retaining the original functions, we have achieved a higher quality product.

Koridon was invited to Boon Edam's R&D basement, where they are busy working on prototypes. Owner Ton Koridon immediately saw opportunities to construct the frame differently and keep the same final product. That has been very successful.”

What sets Inno Metal apart?

“The straight talking that's so specific for Noord Holland and technical enthusiasm! For example, the general manager also likes to come to Boon Edam and put himself directly in the shoes of an engineer. Inno Metal is both flexible and involved, and this is reflected throughout the entire business,” Frank concludes.

After almost 15 years of close cooperation, Inno still delivers numerous quality products to Bandall almost every week, with Inno Metal also being directly involved in product innovation and product development. “Inno Metal (Formerly Koridon) supplies products with very high quality, so we can use them immediately without having to process them ourselves,” says Bram van Roosmalen, director of Bandall Benelux BV.

Our intensive collaboration offers Bandall many advantages. “This is precisely why Inno knows exactly what we can and cannot do when it comes to sheet metal, etc. This allows us to switch faster and significantly reduces the development time of new machines and specials.”

About Bandall Production

Bandall is an innovative, Dutch company that focuses on the development of bundling and banding machines. Banding is the bundling or labeling of one or more packages with a foil or paper band. Thanks to Bandall's unique banding system, this is done very quickly, cost-efficiently and damage-free.

From the head office in De Meern and from the production location in Heemskerk, banding solutions find their way to over 90 different countries worldwide. Bandall's success comes from the combination of patented technology, customer and solution-oriented thinking, intensive collaborations and optimal service.

About the collaboration

Van Roosmalen: “Our cooperation is very good and is actually a bit like working with our distributors. At Bandall, we attach great importance to good business partners with whom we can grow and develop together. Doing good business together depends on building good personal relationships. We are convinced that this will make cooperation even more fruitful. That is why we also see Inno Metal as a very pleasant and reliable business partner, with whom we have enjoyed doing business for more than 12 years.”

The first contact between Bandall and Inno Metal dates back to mid-2003, when Inno Metal Zaandam was still Koridon. Bandall decided to look for a new partner to supply their sheet material. The previous supplier was unable to meet the tolerances and conditions, so we were looking for a new, specialist partner that could be involved early in the production process. Koridon's work immediately proved to be of higher quality; for example, the cut material no longer had sharp edges.

The collaboration between Inno and Bandall works both ways. For example, Jos Cornelisse, director at Bandall Production in Heemskerk, explains: “In addition to the delivered quality, you also see that there is real added value in the service and in thinking along at an early stage. Through Inno's advice on assembly, we know immediately whether or not some operations are possible. In addition, Inno thinks along with you if there is anything to improve with regard to our products. As a result, Inno is really closely involved in the development of our machines. It also works the other way around. If we can help Inno with anything, we will always and immediately do it, because that's how true partnerships work.”

Fixed delivery times

Inno Zaandam is praised by van Roosmalen for its punctuality. “In consultation with Inno, we have agreed fixed delivery times for certain products. In all the years in which we have now worked together, it has almost never happened that a delivery has been delivered too late. Despite the fact that our own delivery times are regularly under pressure and we regularly come to Inno urgently, everything is completed to our full satisfaction and in the right time frame. Of course, all of this is done in good consultation. You shouldn't drive each other crazy if you don't have to.”

More small orders, still organized

Because Bandall is increasingly focusing on fully automatic lines and specials in addition to standard machines, the number of small specialist orders with Inno is also increasing. Within 1 order (i.e. within 1 Bandall machine), for example, several small suborders can be placed at Inno, depending on the type of machine.

Cornelisse explains: “Outsourcing a larger number of small orders is a huge puzzle that can be placed almost literally with Inno and is therefore produced there. Once the products come back to us, our own employees can lay the puzzle neatly. And I think that's also a good example of our collaboration. Not only are a few hundred pieces of sheet metal delivered to us, but correct labeling and packaging also make it easy for our employees to find everything. This way, we can ultimately build our machines efficiently, with the right materials.”

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Partly thanks to an excellent cooperation with Inno Metal Zaandam, Lode, supplier of exercise devices, is able to produce the best ergometry equipment. Inno Metal was not only used to perform various operations on sheet material, but also because of its knowledge about the possibilities of sheet metal processing. In this way, Lode can produce more efficiently.

About Lode

Lode is a global player in the development of high-quality ergometers for the medical industry. Lode is known for its accuracy, durability, and ergonomic design. The range of products offered by the Groningen company ranges from bicycle ergometers and treadmills to ergometry software and various other special ergometry equipment. In addition, Lode uses his knowledge and specialties to develop customized products and software.
Long-term experience in the production of medical devices and continuous development to meet the changing market requirements make Lode a flexible and reliable partner. Specific ideas and wishes are converted into custom-made products together with the customer.

About the collaboration

Inno Metal and Lode have been working together for over 25 years. Thanks to the good contact between Lode engineers and Inno employees, both companies are constantly looking for new opportunities to make Lode products even better. In addition to the amount of work, the opportunities at Inno Metal have also grown enormously over the past 25 years. Hans ten Hoope, buyer at Lode, explains: “The technical requirements for our medical equipment have become much stricter in recent years. This has been handled very well by our supplier. Inno has, as it were, grown with that. They meet all the standards and values they need as a supplier.

Our cooperation is based on three fundamental pillars: good price, meeting delivery times and meeting specifications and tolerances. Inno meets each of these three pillars and is also a very good organization because they contribute to the application of the products and the options they can offer. We regularly receive advice and feedback from their team. We are very happy about this.”