As global markets become more competitive and customer demands evolve, companies across industries are turning to advanced manufacturing techniques to maintain their edge.
BMW, for example, has invested €15 million in its Additive Manufacturing Campus, which produced over 300,000 parts in 2019. The new facility consolidates production, research, and training in 3D printing under one roof, enabling BMW to streamline the integration of additive manufacturing into its vehicle production process. The campus employs up to 80 associates and operates around 50 industrial systems, with plans to further expand the use of 3D printing in series production and across the company.
In the aerospace sector, GE Aerospace is significantly boosting its use of additive manufacturing through a $650 million investment to scale production and enhance fuel efficiency. This investment will expand 3D printing capabilities across its facilities, enabling the production of lighter and more efficient engine components. These efforts aim to support the growing demand from commercial and defense clients while contributing to advancements in performance and fuel savings.
At Driessen, we actively explore advancements in manufacturing technologies from various industries to identify methods that can enhance our production efficiency and support our sustainability goals. A recent example is our adoption of laser cutting technology, which allows us to cut aluminum sheet metal components into their final form in a single step with unmatched precision. This innovation combines multiple processes—such as coil cutting, shearing, punching, and drilling—into one streamlined manufacturing step. The result is not only improved product quality but also reduced inventory, fewer process steps, and lower material usage, contributing to both efficiency and sustainability.
We are also actively exploring forming technologies, particularly hydroforming and hot/warm forming. Previously limited to prototype production, these techniques have evolved into solutions for large-batch manufacturing. By studying and integrating these methods into our operations, we aim to further enhance our production capabilities, enabling us to meet evolving customer needs while maintaining our competitive edge.
Driessen has long embraced advanced techniques to streamline our production processes. Our use of CNC milling machines and plastic injection molding equipment ensures high precision and minimal waste in component manufacturing. Additionally, our anodizing installation, one of the most advanced in Asia, leverages computer controls and online data management to deliver maximum quality and consistency. Similarly, our powder coating installation allows us to offer high-quality finishes in any required color, meeting the diverse needs of our global customer base.
Driessen’s vertically integrated approach consolidates every step of manufacturing—from raw material processing to final assembly—within our operations. This seamless integration not only enhances product quality and operational efficiency but also ensures agility in responding to customer demands and industry trends. By maintaining control over our supply chain and production processes, we can consistently deliver innovative and sustainable solutions.
By integrating cutting-edge manufacturing practices within a vertically integrated framework, companies in the catering equipment sector can not only enhance product quality but also achieve significant cost savings and improve sustainability. This strong foundation in manufacturing leads directly to a focus on quality control, which is critical to maintaining a competitive advantage in the industry.
Note:
This article is part of an ongoing series entitled Innovation at the Core: Leadership & Continuous Improvement Strategies from Driessen Catering Equipment.
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