As a supplier to the manufacturing industry, I naturally find it interesting to follow what kind of installations our products end up in and which end users eventually apply these process systems. A great example is a cheese pasteuriser for the dairy industry. Another one was delivered the other day, equipped with CIP-cleanable sampling taps from our range.
In a pasteuriser, heat treatment takes place, killing pathogenic bacteria and most of the harmful bacteria. A process in which, of course, you have to be able to rely 100% on the results of your product samples. And you can, provided the sampling taps are properly applied and cleaned.
Sampling issue
This is where I think you get to the point that our role as a supplier goes beyond sec supplying process parts. Let me explain what I mean by way of an example. My colleague Anne Marijke Zwarts, a specialist in sampling technology, sometimes comes into contact with dairy companies looking for the supplier of the sampling taps in their production systems because they have a technical question.
Take, for example, sampling the air supply in a dairy process. This air is used to pressurise and empty tanks. When the analysis of the samples yields unexpected results, people ask Anne Marijke how best to initiate a process of improvement here. Point is that the operation of the sampling taps is then in order, but there are uncertainties about cleaning the taps with CIP (Cleaning In Place) or SIP (Sterilisation In Place). Anne Marijke then provides targeted training and advice on this.
Specialists
This is a sampling example, but we also see the demand for knowledge increasing in other technical disciplines. The ageing population within the industry certainly plays a role in this. Suppliers to the manufacturing industry have a lot of specialist knowledge in-house that can be useful to end-users. That is why we are increasingly joining forces with interested parties and organising seminars on a specific theme within a particular industry. During such a training course, we really go into depth; after all, we are among fellow professionals. Specialists from abroad are often present to give presentations.
Responsible
Because it is important for all parties involved (suppliers to manufacturing industry, the machine builder himself, the end user of the installation and ultimately the consumer) that installations are optimal and safe to use, I believe it is all about cooperation and sharing knowledge. The added value that suppliers of technical process components can offer in this respect is greater than people may think. Even the technical trading companies themselves do not always realise how much knowledge there is in the organisation. By no means all specialists are yet ready to stand in front of a group and share their knowledge. But if we want to keep the level of technical knowledge in Dutch industry high, we suppliers certainly have to take responsibility.
