Quality and responsiveness are the keywords

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 11:28:00 +0200

At the speed of the HST

Manuel Dimblon, the General Manager of Andiman & Co, is smiling. His company, based in Louveigné, has not stopped moving up the rankings. An observation mainly due to the accuracy of the services provided to customers.

“From the start, we have focused mainly on the rail sector. We are also established in the defence sector since we are NATO certified; an authorisation that allows us to supply certain specific parts, but that only represents part of our activities.”

The rail market is quite narrow. Andiman & Co therefore mainly works to specifications. “We are oriented around the manufacture of subassemblies for incorporation into assemblies. In other words, we are part of a chain for which we manufacture a whole series of elements such as wiring and cases. Customers often ask us to assist with modifications that have to be carried out on trains and trams, even if we are increasingly called upon to also work on buses. I could cite, for example, the installation of control systems.”

Obviously, to meet demand, Andiman & Co has advanced equipment so that accuracy and quality can always be provided. “Once the product has been manufactured, we place it completely at the disposal of the customer, who will be able to carry out a whole series of tests. If these meet expectations, a pre-series is launched and then a series. In fact, the product is continually developing according to customer requirements, but also with respect to increasingly stricter safety and technical standards.”

And the rail sector, is it promising in Belgium or do you always have to look further ahead? “It is such a complex market that each company is specialised in a specific area such as rolling stock or infrastructure. Today, we are well established in the Benelux, as well as in France and Germany, we are not against the idea of integrating markets further away. Even if we already have contacts, we prefer to proceed step by step.”

An understandable caution particularly in terms of operation. “Apart from the quality of our parts, we are equally proud of our responsiveness. We have a complete logistics structure that allows us to respond quickly to customers. These are specific sectors where speed is very important. When the customer has a concern, we act immediately and provide the part from our own stock and then deliver it on site. The downtime involving this type of equipment is very expensive. Our customers cannot allow themselves to have their activities come to a halt for 15 days. We therefore strive to distinguish ourselves by being the ones who are more attentive to their customers.”

You could write, without mistake, that Andiman & Co moves as quickly as a high speed train.

ANDiMAN & Co - News

Quality and responsiveness are the keywords