Digitization makes Anders Beton ready for diversification and internationalization
The Kempense Anders Beton makes precast concrete products for the agricultural market. From its factory at the Albert Canal in Grobbendonk, the family business transports its concrete products all over the world. We spoke with CEO Dominique van der Velden about the digital future of Anders Beton and the cooperation with Rank1.
Dominique van der Velden: "Anders Beton is a real family business. I belong to the dangerous third generation, as they say (laughs). My grandfather Korneel came up with the idea of making concrete barn floors as a farmer's son in 1964. My father started a second branch and lifted the company to market leadership. In 2017, my sister and I took over the torch. Our biggest challenge is finding new markets and applications and tailoring our processes to them."
"Our barn floors are manure and urine permeable. They promote animal welfare and reduce emissions. But with the current emissions legislation, the government is making our work impossible. Our turnover in Flanders has been reduced to zero because of the nitrogen policy. Our customers in Belgium and the Netherlands are forced to close down and receive subsidies as compensation with which to restart in Eastern Europe. Nationally the emission figures are correct, but worldwide you do not solve the nitrogen problem this way. On the contrary."
"The precarious situation of our farmers due to policies forces us to think about our future strategy. As an SME, we cannot afford the ad hoc decisions of governments on these issues. We need to think carefully about our future and guard against arbitrary policy changes. To this end, we have drawn up a strategic digitization plan with 2023 as the final goal. This past year saw the start of that, and in that context our collaboration with Rank1 began."
What did that collaboration entail?
"The goal is to make our processes agile. Digitization should ensure that our activities are easily movable, along with those of our customers. We chose to install our software in English, with a view to our further internationalization. For example, an Indian company is already doing some technical calculations for us today.
Digital processes smoothly enable homeworking in the departments where it is possible. This flexible homeworking strategy gave us an edge during the pandemic, but corona was not our starting point. The digitalization we have in mind is primarily intended to future-proof our business with a view to diversification and internationalization. Recently, for example, we have also become active in hydraulic engineering, where concrete can be part of the solution to provide better water infiltration to avoid flooding. Our updated processes allow for that."
How did you proceed?
"In the past year 2021, we worked with Rank1 to digitize our business processes. Rank1's consultants analyzed our needs and proposed a plan of action. Specifically, they improved our hardware infrastructure by equipping our employees with laptops and docking stations. New servers, firewalls, switches and Office 365 software were installed. The Citrix environment was rolled out and technical issues ironed out. It was an investment of about 350,000 euros for our company's 90 employees."
How did the collaboration go?
"With a project of this magnitude, there is bound to be a kink sometimes, but when things didn't go smoothly with a consultant, we listened to Rank1's management and things were resolved. That's why I like doing business with another SME, we understand each other better. I am direct in my approach and put my finger on the wound. At Rank1 they can handle that well. Through confrontations you come to solutions. That is essential in this kind of project. IT people are not easy to find, and the search for the right profile is a challenge for everyone."
"I consciously choose to work with Belgian companies. Not mastodons, but SMEs where I have a short line with the business managers. IT is so complex, often opinions differ on the ideal solutions. As an outsider in the business, it's hard to know who to believe and then you have to be able to count on your partner. Their open approach gives me confidence in Rank1."
"In the past, our finance manager also took care of the company's IT. That was not sustainable. Now we use an external IT employee two days a week, who coordinates the cooperation with Rank1. Rank1 also helps ensure our security and guarantees that the systems remain up and running. Soon Rank1 will train our employees to learn how to work as securely as possible, including workshops to identify phishing emails."
What is the next step in your digitization plan?
"In 2022, we want to replace our ERP system and move it to the cloud. Thanks to the brand new environment we realized, we are ready for this next step. Together with Rank1, we have laid the solid foundation on which we can build our digital future."
Summary:
Anders Concrete was founded in 1964. The family business is now in the hands of the third generation. The team consists of 30 employees and 60 workers. The steel plant and concrete factory are located in Grobbendonk, the office in Hoogstraten. Rank1 renewed the hardware, installed a new Citrix environment and guarantees the uptime and security of the systems. The cooperation is part of a strategic three-year digitalization plan with which Anders Beton is arming itself for the future.