André Groeneveld, automation expert at Hardeman: 'Automation is always the starting point'

In a company with 300 employees, André is responsible for everything related to ICT. So plenty of challenges. Especially since Hardeman develops a lot of custom software. Bocad, now part of Schuller & Company, is one of the few purchased systems Hardeman uses a lot.

Hardeman is, according to André, best characterized as a total builder with an - equally large - trade branch. 'We make it ourselves, or in-house in cooperation with small companies. As long as we control the process ourselves. In doing so, we always work from a single ICT environment, because that is precisely what allows us to automate our processes. Of course we looked for a software party that does everything, but there isn't one. Then you get a lot of parties, a lot of islands that you have to link together. That takes just as much time as developing your own environment. And what we have developed fits Hardeman perfectly.

bocad

'Some of the development work I outsource, mainly to freelancers. The more technical things, such as the postprocessing of machines, I program myself. That's why I also work a lot with bocad.' Tom Smout, senior consultant and bocad specialist at Liemar, is naturally involved in Hardeman from his role. Tom: 'Before I worked for Liemar, I myself worked as a draughtsman with bocad. At that time, I already knew André. Since I joined Liemar in 2016, our contact has only become closer. We have good sparring partners in each other.'

For the music from

In certain technical areas, Hardeman is a leader in the market, Tom says. 'They are hugely focused on automation. If you would otherwise have to do something twice, why not automate it? That way you have less chance of mistakes, faster reproduction times and time for other more important things.' Should automation sound like standardization and, as a result, a decrease in flexibility, you're wrong. André: "On the contrary, we have not standardized anything. Our vision is that you can make anything from scratch. So we have some materials and we make something out of them. You used to be able to make everything by hand, now it can be done digitally. As long as we make sure we have the right knobs to turn. That's a challenge, but we manage.'  

Schuller & Company

Hardeman has been working with bocad for about 30 years. André therefore looked at the acquisition by Schuller & Company with a keen eye. 'It is always a matter of waiting and seeing. But in the meantime I have confidence in it. That's because they initially focus on continuity. Not immediately on expansion or change. Continuity, of course, is very important.' Tom adds: 'Having said that, André has been waiting for some time for an API that will allow him to better control the production line from Hardeman's ERP system. So really a link back and forth. They're going to make great strides with that.'

Early adopter

But the staff at Schuller & Company are busy, of course, and André understands that. 'It now looks like the API is going to be available in the next version, 2025. Together we have ensured that I am allowed to be an early adopter of bocad. This also allows me to use test versions and better prepare for what's to come.' Tom: 'And that statement is immediately another good example of Hardeman's philosophy: working in a pragmatic way that is future-oriented!'

Want to know more?

Want to know more about Hardeman? At www.hardeman.nl you will find a lot of information about this progressive company. Moreover, André is open to transparent cooperation in the industry. We are happy to introduce you to each other!

Want to know what we can do for you from Liemar, as a Value Added Reseller of bocad? Please contact us, we would love to hear from you!

Website: www.liemar.nl
Phone: +31 (0) 40 24 84 041
E-mail: info@liemar.nl