Company visit Lankhorst
On a cold afternoon in March, we were welcomed to Lankhorst Engineered Products. With almost 20 participants, a fine turnout. In the hall, where coffee and tea were ready for us, we were warmly welcomed by Mr Van Belkom .
We started with a presentation, followed by a tour of the factory in two groups. So we now know that Lankhorst Engineered Products bv in Sneek, is part of the WireCo WorldGroup (USA), is a market leader in innovative plastics, specialises in the development and production of high-quality plastic products from recycled materials that fit into a green and sustainable living environment, and has its doors open for young talent.
Mr Van Belkom explains that the products LEP makes are, on the one hand, developed at the initiative of a customer and, on the other, initiated by the Research & Development engineers team itself. This has two main reasons:
- Due to the fact that recycled material is the raw material of the new product, product development focuses on thick and robust products.
- There is a need in the market for durable with long-life products that meet the desired stiffness and strength through the design and use of recycled plastic.
Typically, the products are specially tailored for customers. This puts Lankhorst Engineered Products at the forefront when it comes to product innovation in a growing market for recycled plastics. And what products can you think of? Besides plastic poles and plastic planks, they also produce plastic sheet piling, sheet piling, scaffolding, facade panels, bridges, street furniture and decking from recycled raw materials. So you may not realise it straight away but if you love sailing, regularly travel by train, take walks in the dunes or work in offshore you will come across Lankhorst's products.
After an interesting presentation on the origins of Lankhorst, the path taken and the added value of LEP, it was time to see for yourself how the products are made.
Due to the recycled material used, the 'rigidity and strength' requirement and the sustainable nature of the products, all machines have been adapted to their own requirements. The black granulate, the raw material for the products, arrives via Germany. The black carbon, which provides the black colour, is an excellent shield from UV light. An important property of a Kunststof Lankhorst Product (KLP). On request, they supply other colours, fibreglass-reinforced or steel-reinforced products. Due to their many years of experience with thick and robust products, they have extensive knowledge and experience of production processes, material compositions and areas of application. The process they use is therefore unique. For instance, instead of opening the mould and ejecting the product for cooling, the mould disappears with product and all in a cooling bath. Now that's dealing with a challenge!
Once back in the room, we are all impressed by the added value of Lankhorst Engineered Products. Several easily made the link between the production process and the safety, sustainability and lifecycle costs of the product. With all the enthusiasm of Mr Van Belkom and Mr Heida, most KIVI members did not leave the premises until around six.
More information about Lankhorst? Visit http://www.lankhorst-ep.com/.
Got your own ideas for an excursion? Contact Mariska van Cronenberg | m.vancronenberg@outlook.com | +31 6 512 02 681
Text: Ir. Mariska van Cronenberg
Description
Lankhorst Engineered Products is a market leader in innovative plastics and specialises in the development and production of high-quality plastic products made from recycled materials.
The products are usually specially tailored for customers. The R&D engineers team ensures that all products meet the customer's specific requirements and wishes. In addition, Lankhorst carries out fundamental research in their own laboratories. The behaviour of different forms of plastics is constantly being studied. As a result, Lankhorst Engineered Products is at the forefront when it comes to product innovation in a growing market for recycled plastics.
Lankhorst's plastics products are typically used in:
- civil and structural engineering
- infrastructure & railway industry
- offshore oil and gas extraction
- poultry industry
- transport and storage systems for heavy industry
- and many other industrial applications
During this excursion, we will take a look at products made from recycled materials, among other things, and see for ourselves the added value of Lankhorst Engineered Products when it comes to safety, sustainability and product lifecycle costs.
Would you like to know more about how Lankhorst manages to deliver custom-made products using these criteria? Then we look forward to seeing you on 10 February in Sneek!
The programme is as follows:
15.30 -15.45
Reception by Mr Van Belkom of Lankhorst and KIVI Region North
15.45 - 17.00
Company presentation, tour of the company and explanation of current and new projects
17.00 - 17.15
Closing
Location
8607 AD Sneek
Organiser
Region North
Lankhorst Engineered Products
Name and contact details for information
Ir. M. van Cronenberg | 06-51202681