FOCUS ON DIGITALISATION
Joachim Deeg , CEO of LaserCloud GmbH ( right ), demonstrates a processed sheet metal part .
A NEW PHILOSOPHY
Produced regionally , delivered globally ; how a mid-sized job shopper became a sheetmetal processing provider with a web shop . Under the name LaserCloud , Deeg ’ s new online shop allows customers to order laser-cut and folded or deburred parts around the clock .
Deeg GmbH in Germany is a mid-sized job shopper for sheet metal processing ( including laser cutting , bending and welding ). It began close to 30 years ago with a personal mortgage to finance its first TRUMPF laser cutting machine and has now stepped up to the next level with the LaserCloud online ordering platform . Via TRUMPF , the sheet metal processing company came across the digitalisation specialists from Optimate . In a joint pilot project , an automated feasibility analysis was integrated into the web shop .
“ We started off with laser processing and gradually added subsequent processes such as bending , welding and the installation of assemblies ,” said Joachim Deeg , explaining the company ’ s evolution into a full-range provider of sheet metal parts . The CEO of LaserCloud GmbH had also been working in the family business before the online ordering service became an independent company a year ago .
With a workforce of about 200 , Deeg manufactures a diverse range of sheet metal parts in large batches on laser cutting and bending machines . The spin-off ’ s production area of 17,000m ² is equipped with the latest machinery , primarily TRUMPF machines .
At Deeg , visitors are greeted with a laser-cut and bent sheet metal handshake .
Squeezing in smaller batches
“ There were times when we had to hire as many as ten new employees every year and expand our production area every two to three years . But we have also worked on product groups with several thousand parts over the course of a year , or on specific welded designs requiring many hours of machining on a single part ,” recalled Joachim Deeg .
The subcontractor ’ s customers are mainly large industrial companies from the region who order medium to large batches of 100 to 1,000 units made of structural steel , aluminium or stainless steel .
“ Customers would repeatedly request smaller batch sizes or even batch size one ,
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