Company visit to VMI in Epe
Company visit to VMI on October 31, 2025
VMI (Veluwse Machine Industrie) is the world market leader in developing high-quality high-tech machinery for the tyre construction industry.
Around 1800 VMI employees worldwide continuously work on high-tech, innovative solutions to make companies more successful. Since its establishment in 1945, VMI has grown into a modern company with nine branches on four continents, providing proven, reliable equipment, services and solutions.
VMI's headquarters in Epe, the Netherlands, has approximately 1,000 employees. Thanks to experienced and highly qualified people and an ambitious and enterprising management team, VMI is recognised as a respected market leader delivering innovative machinery that is continuously developed and improved.
We would therefore like to invite you for a company visit!
programme
- 13:30 Walk-in / reception
- 14:00 General introduction VMI
- 14:30 Guided tour (safety shoes required)
- 15:30 Workshops / Think Tanks
- 16:30 Networking drinks
Safety shoes are required for the tour of the factory. Bring your own safety shoes or indicate your shoe size when you register and we will provide you with a pair.
When registering, please also indicate which workshop you would prefer to attend and which is your second choice. We want to distribute participants evenly among the four workshops, and will try to take into account the preferences given.
Workshop topics
participants will be assigned to one workshop. During the workshop, a problem or challenge from the daily work of some of VMI's colleagues will be presented. After a short introduction, they will be asked to think along towards a solution to the problem. Sometimes a different angle can lead to new insights, and with this we also give a small glimpse into VMI's kitchen.
please note: Workshop R&D 2 will be given in English. The other workshops will in principle be given in Dutch. English is possible on request and after agreement with the participants.
R&D 1: Unixx Hybrid/Stripwinding
The UNIXX Hybrid is a tyre building machine developed by VMI that integrates multiple technologies to enhance versatility, efficiency, and precision in tyre production. It supports the manufacturing of various tyre types and sizes, incorporates advanced automation, and streamlines the production process, making it a robust solution for modern tyre manufacturing needs.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Innovation: Collaborating to Develop Future-Proof Solutions
How can we enhance the energy efficiency of the stripwind extruder and reintroduce retreading for car tyres to the market? Let's brainstorm innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency of our machinery and create sustainable opportunities!
R&D 2: LAT 100
The VMI LAT100 (Laboratory Abrasion & skid Tester or Grosch machine) tyre tread compound tester, accurately simulates road conditions for fast and economical laboratory testing of rubber samples. This way you can save time and money by evaluating tyre properties before production starts. The multiple test machine can be employed for routine measurements as well as for scientific research, measuring both the abrasion resistance and the friction properties under a wide range of selectable conditions.
Particle Collector Design for the LAT100 and Tire Microplastics: Challenges and Requirements
During driving, tyres wear down and generate microplastics, which end up in the environment. The LAT100, a machine by VMI, is used to test tyre rubber for grip and wear, among other properties. The current challenge extends to measuring microplastic emissions.
What challenges and requirements must be addressed in the machine's design to enable these measurements? Let's explore the design of a particle collector that provides insights into the wear behaviour of various rubber compounds and supports a more sustainable future!
R&D 3: Revolute
The VMI Revolute automatic bead apex assembly system, designed to complement VMI's existing bead apexing solution, speeds production time per item (almost double that of the next best performing VMI system) and reaches new levels of performance in other ways (higher apex than any other on the market, greater variety of compounds), but its main advantage is the use of automation.
Revolute - Anti Cupping
In the production of the bead apex, an apex (filling strip) is wrapped around a bead. During this workshop, we will seek solutions to prevent curvature and cupping issues of the bead apex when using new, more sustainable components.
How can we process these components without the apex losing its shape, and what adjustments are needed in the machine?
SCM
The Supply Chain Management (SCM) department is responsible for managing the entire supply chain process, ensuring the efficient flow of goods, services, and information from raw materials to end customers. This includes procurement, production planning, inventory management, distribution, and returns.
Within the SCM department, material planning plays a crucial role. It involves determining the necessary materials, their quantities, and the timing of their procurement to support production without interruptions. The material planning department ensures that all components needed for VMI's machinery are available as required. It involves forecasting demand, understanding the bill of materials, coordinating with suppliers, and managing inventory levels to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
Web of Success
The current KPI for completeness does not fully capture the performance of the material planning department but rather reflects the joint efforts of the entire supply chain management team. How can we develop better KPIs that specifically measure the quality and impact of material planning? Let's collaborate on innovative solutions to better map and improve the performance of the department!
In this interactive brainstorming session, we will identify the right KPIs for our central supporting role together. We will move from abstract to concrete concepts:
- Brief Presentation: Which departments do we support precisely and how?
- KPI Development: From "what do we do?" to "how do we measure success?"
- Prioritization: Which KPI's are measurable and useful?
Workshops - Think along with VMI!
Note: Workshop R&D 2 will be conducted in English.
R&D 1: Unixx Hybrid/Stripwinding
The UNIXX Hybrid is a tyre building machine developed by VMI that integrates multiple technologies to enhance versatility, efficiency, and precision in tyre production. It supports the manufacturing of various tyre types and sizes, incorporates advanced automation, and streamlines the production process, making it a robust solution for modern tyre manufacturing needs.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Innovation: Collaborating to Develop Future-Proof Solutions
How can we enhance the energy efficiency of the stripwind extruder and reintroduce retreading for car tyres to the market? Let's brainstorm innovative solutions to enhance the efficiency of our machinery and create sustainable opportunities!
R&D 2: LAT 100
The VMI LAT100 (Laboratory Abrasion & skid Tester or Grosch machine) tyre tread compound tester, accurately simulates road conditions for fast and economical laboratory testing of rubber samples. This way you can save time and money by evaluating tyre properties before production starts. The multiple test machine can be employed for routine measurements as well as for scientific research, measuring both the abrasion resistance and the friction properties under a wide range of selectable conditions.
Particle Collector Design for the LAT100 and Tire Microplastics: Challenges and Requirements
During driving, tyres wear down and generate microplastics, which end up in the environment. The LAT100, a machine by VMI, is used to test tyre rubber for grip and wear, among other properties. The current challenge extends to measuring microplastic emissions.
What challenges and requirements must be addressed in the machine's design to enable these measurements? Let's explore the design of a particle collector that provides insights into the wear behaviour of various rubber compounds and supports a more sustainable future!
R&D 3: Revolute
The VMI Revolute automatic bead apex assembly system, designed to complement VMI's existing bead apexing solution, speeds production time per item (almost double that of the next best performing VMI system) and reaches new levels of performance in other ways (higher apex than any other on the market, greater variety of compounds), but its main advantage is the use of automation.
Revolute - Anti Cupping
In the production of the bead apex, an apex (filling strip) is wrapped around a bead. During this workshop, we will seek solutions to prevent curvature and cupping issues of the bead apex when using new, more sustainable components.
How can we process these components without the apex losing its shape, and what adjustments are needed in the machine?
SCM
The Supply Chain Management (SCM) department is responsible for managing the entire supply chain process, ensuring the efficient flow of goods, services, and information from raw materials to end customers. This includes procurement, production planning, inventory management, distribution, and returns.
Within the SCM department, material planning plays a crucial role. It involves determining the necessary materials, their quantities, and the timing of their procurement to support production without interruptions. The material planning department ensures that all components needed for VMI's machinery are available as required. It involves forecasting demand, understanding the bill of materials, coordinating with suppliers, and managing inventory levels to optimise efficiency and reduce costs.
Web of Success
The current KPI for completeness does not fully capture the performance of the material planning department but rather reflects the joint efforts of the entire supply chain management team. How can we develop better KPIs that specifically measure the quality and impact of material planning? Let's collaborate on innovative solutions to better map and improve the performance of the department!
In this interactive brainstorming session, we will identify the right KPIs for our central supporting role together. We will move from abstract to concrete concepts:
- Brief Presentation: Which departments do we support precisely and how?
- KPI Development: From "what do we do?" to "how do we measure success?"
- Prioritization: Which KPI's are measurable and useful?
