Stronger towards the future

Businesses around the world experienced a good flow the last couple of years. But now, especially since recent months, the world looks a bit different. Businesses have to deal with sudden circumstances beyond their control. For sure these circumstances change international dynamics for many. This is the time when the wheat separates from the chaff. Translated to our world, the world of plastics, it means: smaller, not so strong plastic suppliers will sadly lose out on global markets and customers, while the financially strong and stable ones will be able to keep their businesses right on track. At Rompa Group, together with ITB and Verhoeven as part of the Rompa Group, we are grateful to belong to the latter and be able to keep providing (potential) customers all over the world with their desired plastic products. We are here, not to survive but to thrive!

Exceptional times call for thoughtful strategies and strong, cooperative business partners, also in the world of plastics. When business is challenging - especially during these times, when COVID-19 rules the world - it is of the utmost importance to stick with or move to a trustworthy plastics specialist. Because no matter what, companies will have to continue to operate and look for creative solutions to sell their products. For some markets, for example, the medical industry, it is even essential to continue to operate these days.

How can we guarantee continuous business? The Rompa Group team is globally proven successful when there are disruptions in the market. We have offices and production sites at nearly every continent, have a lean production approach and are financially stable. We are the right partner to cooperate with our customers during challenging times, because of well-balanced knowledge of and experience with 1) many market segments, 2) many technologies, 3) vertical integrated services and 4) global presence. In short, our international footprint is diverse in every sense of the word and prepared us for 5) the next step.

1. At home in every market

We know our way around in different industries, such as automotive, consumer goods, industrial applications, medical devices & products and packaging. Our customers are market leaders, both multinationals and brand owners. They choose our partnership because of our expertise in injection moulding. But besides that, they appreciate our original design manufacturing (ODM), contract manufacturing (CM) and vertical integrated services, which exceeds the expectation of many.

For several customers we are an A-rated supplier in manufacturing technical, visual and safety components for the automotive industry; over 200 million products per year! We have all the necessary in-house technology and expertise to translate the complex product requirements of our international customers into top-grade solutions. To start with our expertise of automotive engineering. Add to that knowledge of APQP (a structured method for the design and development process) and PPAP (the output that demonstrates the correctness of the process). And last but not least, years of experience and precision work make us experts in the automotive industry.

For the consumer market, we make both components and finished goods, such as cable and pipe detector equipment, car seats, battery packs for wireless vacuum cleaners, router systems and charger bases for electric shavers. Thanks to factories, machines and personnel across the globe, we are able to manufacture and assemble these complete consumer products. Even when the product consists of 50 components - or more - or contains electronics or Bluetooth elements. Our electronics manufacturing services (EMS) are excellent. We organize everything, from scratch to transportation, meanwhile researching – in cooperation with our customers – new product and market innovations, such as IoT solutions (Internet of Things).

We are experts in producing various types of industrial plastic product parts, components and (semi) finished products for leading international companies. Think of connected pest control systems, smart building solutions and price tag threads. We are well-known for being able to take the lead in the entire production process; from product design by our own design studio Verhoeven to delivery ‘at your doorstep’. We are are proud that the average percentage of approved products is above 99.8%.

The production of medical devices and products - such as thermometers, blood sample trays, pregnancy tests, pulse monitoring systems, blister packaging for the medication of personal care products and charging panels for mobile X-ray equipment - should always be in safe hands. As we have multiple cleanrooms at our disposal, we can produce safely in a dust-reduced environment. We are also ISO 13485 certified, which gives our customers the comfort of knowing our production processes are always held to stringent international quality and safety requirements.

We have the capability to design and mass-produce any type of plastic packaging. Our own design department knows how to combine all sorts of plastics and other materials for the perfect packaging: an eye-catching blister, a protective tray or a custom-designed inlay. Besides that, we can produce transport solutions for assembly lines. We aim to provide added value in the packaging pre-development phase. Our optional reverse-engineering approach means that, on the basis of existing products, we can go into mass production. Besides that, we guarantee fast response and fast processing times at very competitive prices.

2. Technological excellence

Many local suppliers, especially in emerging growth markets, are technologically not ready to adopt to change. This gives multinationals often worries about producing locally. It is therefore essential to them that their western high-tech partners are willing to produce at different local places. For us, technological change has become a constant. We are used to move flexible in order to adopt to change.

We keep the finished product in mind, every step of the way, whether we design travel cases for electric toothbrushes, windscreen wipers, engine components, automatic towel machines, thermometers, razor stands with an order button or something completely different. Our design studio Verhoeven understands the different design and technology requirements that any new product or packaging system needs to fulfil. We have experience with design for Functionality (industrial design), Protection (packaging technology), Sustainability (environmental design), Cost efficiency (product engineering) and Selling (3D design). To actually produce designs, we use known manufacturing technologies like:
•    injection moulding
•    metal injection moulding (MIM)
•    metal stamping
•    thermoforming
•    electronic manufacturing (PCBA)
•    decorating
•    assembly (ESD)
•    packaging

We also have our own toolshop so we can develop and manufacture our moulds in-house, which guarantees efficiency and premium quality. So, a fully-finished, complex, custom made product - with for example inbuilt electronic components, outward decorations and packaging to match - is possible thanks to our experience with wide-ranging techniques, vertical integrated services and lean production approach. The possibilities are virtually endless.

The global consensus that CO2 emissions accelerate climate change makes it clear that knowledge of controlling additional technological development programs is also a desirable asset for modern manufacturers. With regards to the reduction of CO2 emissions, energy efficiency offers the greatest potential. Simultaneously we have to have a critical view of operational costs as well. We are able to take a deep dive into this sustainable energy challenge in order to help our customers even beyond ‘just the product’. Besides sustainable energy challenges, we take other commitments on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) very seriously. It is the way to integrate environmental, social and economic concerns in our business operations and interactions with stakeholders. We believe that to be sustainable, a company must be financially secure, minimize (or ideally eliminate) its negative environmental impacts and act in conformity with societal expectations.

By changing technologies and shifting production sites, we opt for a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, large mass production clusters develop in Eastern-Europe, Asia and the NAFTA-area; in these areas, you see 'the biggest demand' against 'the shortest possible lead times' and 'the lowest costs'. On the other hand, Western-Europe mainly focusses on small(er) production runs and flexible production of customized products. This sets high demands on flexibility and quick installation of machinery and equipment (SMED). We know how to handle both, due to many years of experience.

3. A to Z services

We can deliver fully-finished products, with or without electronics, custom made for different industries and markets. We deliver exactly what is needed, from the drawing board - at our Verhoeven design studio - to delivery. All based on the ideas and wishes of our customers. Within this vertical integrated services process, we follow these steps:
•    Assessing ideas
•    Drawing up design specifications
•    Creating a prototype
•    Mass production
•    Assembly
•    Delivery

4. Global presence

The business model for many suppliers, to produce in one location and supply their customers from that location, is outdated and the idea of delivering Western-European technology and premium products to (new) markets is too costly. Companies want their products to be produced in the major continents for the local market; time-to-market, flexible supply chain, lower transportation costs and contribution to CO2 reduction are important reasons.

Our locations in the Netherlands - with a design studio and production site, including a clean room and toolshop, are premium locations of an outstanding level. We also have production sites across 3 continents (Europe, Asia and Northern-America), so we are in a great position to provide local-for-local production as much as possible. This advantage leads to increased efficiency, more flexibility and low(er) transportation costs. As a result - and due to global quality standards - our customers can benefit from the same excellent service levels and quality, no matter where they are situated.

To meet the requirements of customers and markets, it is not enough to attend at a local level with merely a sales office. To increase competitiveness, we invest in local production facilities. That means among other things to recognize and capitalize on local developments and potential. We systematically promote (on a micro-level) the integration of regional characteristics and cooperation between (new) local organizations and local environments. Now, as well as in the future, we are able to adapt much faster to new (local) market conditions and needs. The ability to and the speed with which our (potential) customers can - or even must - change, are critical success factors; not only with regards to technological changes. But also at strategic and organizational levels.

Our customers can be certain that we can operate from any location. Using any technique. For any market. Even when times are unfavourable. Thanks to our international footprint we are able to guarantee production, so the business can continue to keep operating. Key is to listen to the long-term needs of customers. Therefore we prepare our business for international expansion and flexibility. We already have production facilities in The Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Mexico and China, but we remain alert to what is happening or is about to happen in the rest of the world. We also invest in multicultural management teams.

5. The next step

Despite the challenging times we have to deal with, we are as ready as we can be: ready to continue to serve our existing customers, even beyond their expectations. Ready to accept new customers. Ready to develop new products. Ready to grow to new markets. Ready to develop new technologies. Ready to take the next step. Ready for the future.

Nice to work with, nice to work for!