Renson outdoor: unique example of custom automation

Sustainable Renson production site ready for the future

Offices and showroom are still in the final straight towards completion. But behind the 380 m long facade of the new Renson 'outdoor living' site along the E17, the production of terrace coverings and other garden accessories has meanwhile started. With one press of a button from anywhere in the world, an online configured terrace covering goes into production here. This is unique for an industry in which Renson makes a difference with customization. Sun protection and ventilation will continue to be produced by Renson in Waregem. Flemish Minister of Economy and Innovation Hilde Crevits stopped by to officially open the new production site, in which Flanders is also investing.

Production capacity x 3

The start-up of this new production site comes not a day too soon for Renson's 'outdoor living' department. The demand for patio covers has only really been bursting at the seams over the past few years as people are increasingly investing in their own gardens. "A trend that - even after the Corona pandemic - remains intact. And so it is a blessing that with this site we can eventually produce 3x more than we did in Waregem," Dieter Heyman (General Manager Outdoor at Renson) looks ahead. "Barely two years after the first spade of this new building, the move of the machinery from Waregem and a completely new software package that digitally controls outdoor production, we can already produce here today. From now on, Renson's entire outdoor living range will be delivered worldwide from here: from terrace coverings over carports, garden and façade elements to parcel post boxes."

Dieter Heyman: "From anywhere in the world, a custom patio cover configured online goes into production here."

Custom standardized production? A feat!

That outdoor living for Renson equals customization and is bulging with options and personalization possibilities makes this production site extra special. "Especially when you know that clients from all over the world can configure any custom terrace covering online," Dieter Heyman clarifies. "At the press of a button, it goes into production here. Every order is completely digitally coordinated: from configuration over machining and color optimization to delivery. Similar to how it works in the automotive industry, but one step further with unique orders down to the mm, no 2 of which are the same. That was an important condition for continuing to invest sustainably in local production here." "And we welcome that," adds Flemish Minister of Economy, Innovation and Work Hilde Crevits. "This production site is a great practical example of how innovation transcends the product level, by looking for the most optimal production flow tailored to what rolls off the belt. The brand new production line full of innovative concepts shows Renson's dynamism, a feat for the Waregem-based family business. To retrain employees, train new workers with the latest techniques and organize language training, Flanders has invested 2 million euros in the company."

Hilde Crevits: "This production site is a great practical example of how innovation transcends the product level by looking for the most optimal production flow tailored to what rolls off the line."

Frank Vanhauwaert (Group Production Director Renson): "Specifically, every patio covering that goes out of here goes through a set route. From the unprocessed profiles in the automatic high bay warehouse to the packaging per box, everything is perfectly traceable. This allows us to continually optimize in order to still process, paint and package the thousands of diverse custom orders as efficiently as possible. When you know that there are up to 500 different parts in a patio cover, you understand why this production has become a real feat in that respect." "This investment is primarily one with an eye to the future," CEO Paul Renson looks ahead. "Outdoor living will continue to grow in the coming years, and we want to take full advantage of that as an innovative company. To continue this growth, we are therefore always looking for additional people for this branch."

Frank Vanhauwaert: "When you know that there are up to 500 different parts in a patio cover, you understand why this production has become a real feat"

'We have jobs' ...

So it still adorns the factory wall along the E17 road in cows of letters. "Because yes, even in a modern, digitally controlled production environment, you need the right people and knowledge to deliver the quality custom work that Renson stands for," Paul Renson echoes. "Driven metalworkers, work planners, warehousemen, mechanics, paint line operators, packers, technicians, but also planners and quality controllers ... these are the profiles we are currently looking for to fill the 50 vacancies in this production site in order to be able to realize the intended growth in the future as well. In order to run this production at full capacity, we have already recruited 50 additional people since the beginning of this year, so that today 150 people are employed here. By the beginning of 2022 we want to have a total of 200 people working here. When the test and training centers, offices and 'NOA outdoor living' showroom are completed in 2022, there will already be 300."

Paul Renson: "Even in a digitally driven production environment, you need the right people to deliver quality customization."

Renson job day Oct. 22

On Friday, October 22, Renson is organizing a job day at the new Outdoor site in the Prijkels. On Friday, October 29, a second 'indoor' job day will follow in Waregem. Anyone who wants to be part of an innovative, stable, future-oriented and sustainable growth company close to home can then attend for a look behind the scenes of the new production. Registration and practical info: www.renson.be/jobs