How buyers can save a lot of time, costs and effort with integrated processes
FACTUREE champions component production and surface finishing from a single source
Berlin, 30. April 2024 – In procurement, it is common practice that the production of components is commissioned from one supplier and the surface treatment is entrusted to another service provider. This process often overlooks the fact that there are manufacturers who offer not only machining but also surface treatment on one place – and can therefore supply the fully machined product. The Online Manufacturer FACTUREE (www.facturee.de) recommends the complete processing of drawing parts from a single source – an integrative approach that not only saves costs and effort on the part of purchasers, but also guarantees high quality.
Today's markets are faster and more volatile than ever before. Speed in procurement can offer a decisive competitive advantage to better meet customer needs, bring innovative products to market faster and differentiate yourself from the competition, for example. It is therefore important to minimize risks and slowdowns.
An all-in-one solution speeds up processes and closes gaps in quality
"Many companies are used to having parts manufactured first and then sending them to electroplating companies or surface coaters. This is inefficient. Transporting the parts costs time and money, while communication between different partners can lead to misunderstandings and quality problems," explains Lukas Schlicker, Co-Founder and CPO of FACTUREE.
With two suppliers, more paths are created – especially if there are defects or irregularities in the component. This is because these things often only become visible during surface treatment. "At that point, the parts have to be sent back. With complete machining from a single source, defective areas can be corrected immediately, or the part can be remanufactured. This avoids unnecessary complaints and saves the customer a considerable amount of time. They simply receive the finished product," says Lukas Schlicker and continues: "Even in the case of tight tolerances, there are disadvantages to having the surface treatment carried out by a separate supplier. The interaction of tight fits and anodizing is a typical example, as there is a risk here that the fit no longer meets the tolerance specifications after anodizing, making a further processing step necessary. An all-in-one provider can rework this directly so that the tolerance and fit are maintained."
With its procurement model, FACTUREE has a network of around 2,000 manufacturing partners from almost all areas, such as CNC machining, sheet metal processing, 3D printing, casting and forging processes as well as common additional treatments from surface technology and hardening processes. This enables FACTUREE to have almost all common surface treatments carried out by full-service providers directly after machining in a single process. The company also cooperates with specialized electroplating companies, for example, in order to offer techniques that are less in demand. This also has the advantage that most electroplating companies have minimum order quantities. As FACTUREE has a high order volume with the manufacturers, these are met and parts can be anodized for an attractive price, for example.
All surface coatings are possible
Lukas Schlicker says: "We are the sole contractual partner for our customers and take responsibility for the flawless quality of the production and surface treatments. We can also test sample parts in advance of the finishing process. This allows us to precisely match the color tone, gloss, and structure. The appearance of products can therefore be matched to the requirements."
FACTUREE therefore finds a tailor-made solution for every requirement. Every industry has its specifics, and these are taken into account. "There is almost no surface treatment that we cannot offer. Thanks to our large network of manufacturers, we can find the right solution, even for the most specialized requirements. We have customers from the medical technology sector, among others. The surfaces of many of the components required here are treated at the same time – for example, anodized, painted or powder-coated. This treatment ensures that the products are flawless and aesthetically pleasing for doctors and patients, which is an essential requirement in this area," explains Lukas Schlicker.
Anodizing is one of the most frequently requested surface treatments at FACTUREE. In addition to anodizing, painting and powder coating, the company enables all other forms of surface coating, for example hard coatings such as hard anodizing or DLC (diamond like carbon), conversion coatings such as chromating, various metallic coatings made of zinc, nickel, chrome, silver or gold as well as zinc-nickel coatings, which are popular in the automotive sector. This means that all requirements for drawing parts can be covered from a single source and time-consuming sourcing processes for purchasers are no longer necessary.
Online Manufacturer impresses expert jury with innovative form of procurement
Awarded: FACTUREE wins INDUSTRIE 4.0 AWARD for innovative procurement model
Berlin, February 02, 2024 – The Online Manufacturer FACTUREE (www.facturee.de) has won the "INDUSTRIE 4.0 AWARD 2023" in the "Manufacturing Platform" category. The international operations consultancy ROI-EFESO has been awarding this globally renowned industry prize to the pioneers of industrial digitalization since 2013. FACTUREE received the award for its innovative form of procurement: Online Manufacturing. This model creates flexibility, reliability and independence and enables the digitalization of purchasing in the industry.
FACTUREE takes first place in the "Manufacturing Platform" category of the INDUSTRIE 4.0 AWARD. The jury for this award is made up of high-caliber decision-makers from the industry and choices are made through an extensive application process based on anonymized project presentations. This means that all companies applying for the award have the same starting conditions and opportunities.
Jury member Prof. Dr. Ulrich Löwen, Siemens Corporate Technology, explains: "One of the particularly visionary ideas in the early days of Industry 4.0 was the scenario of 'order-driven manufacturing'. This was the subject of lively discussion in research but was viewed with scepticism in industrial practice - in fact, a high level of complexity and immense need for standardization stood in the way of implementation. After more than ten years, it has now been confirmed that researchers had the right topic on their agenda as FACTUREE is now implementing this visionary idea on the market with impressive results. It is therefore a worthy recipient of the INDUSTRIE 4.0 AWARD. We wish FACTUREE continued success on their journey."
Christopher Walzel, Co-Founder and CTO at FACTUREE, says: "We are delighted to receive this prestigious award. Our company started in 2017 in a living room and established itself as a real early mover in the DACH region coining the term Online Manufacturing. Today, FACTUREE has an eight-figure turnover - without investors. We are active throughout Europe and companies such as Siemens , Parker Hannifin and CERN are among our customers. The award once again encourages us to further expand our procurement model."
Online Manufacturing as the procurement model of the future
With online production, FACTUREE has established a new form of procurement on the market. It offers advantages such as free supply capacities at all times, even in times of crisis, and is therefore far superior to conventional contract manufacturing. The Online Manufacturer thus enables manufacturing companies to procure production parts in line with the times, eliminating dependence on individual suppliers. This is made possible because FACTUREE has an extensive production network of around 2,000 manufacturing partners from almost all areas of production technology, such as CNC machining, sheet metal processing, 3D printing, casting and forging processes and surface technology. Around 15,000 machines are constantly available for projects.
With its network concept and the strict selection process of its manufacturing partners, FACTUREE provides diverse and highly qualified manufacturing capacities. The Online Manufacturer selects the most suitable supplier for the respective order in terms of price, delivery time and quality based on smart algorithms . The end-to-end digitalization and automation of the ordering process leads to greater efficiency for the end customer.
"Online Manufacturing platforms are becoming increasingly relevant - both for clients and manufacturers. The networking of all participants in the value chain as well as simple and short processes for the end customer are some of the key advantages in the modern production world, which requires flexibility and speed. Conventional contract manufacturing is reaching its limits, especially in times of crisis - but Online Manufacturing also opens up new opportunities for manufacturing companies, as they can participate in the network," explains Benjamin Schwab, Co-Founder and CMO at FACTUREE.
Experienced marketing expert takes over from Benjamin Schwab
Chantal Kasper is the new Head of Marketing with Online Manufacturer FACTUREE
Berlin, 25. January 2024 - Chantal Kasper is now Head of Marketing at the Online Manufacturer, FACTUREE (www.facturee.de). With over 10 years of experience in marketing and media strategy, she brings extensive expertise with her. She will take over from Benjamin Schwab, who is leaving the company at the end of February on friendly terms. In her new role, Chantal Kasper has set herself the goal of further strengthening the FACTUREE brand and raising the company's profile on the international market.
Chantal Kasper was most recently Head of Brand Marketing & Communication at the online used car platform heycar. Prior to this, she gained valuable experience in marketing at the textile company Walbusch and on the media agency side, where she worked for clients such as Siemens AG. In her new role as Head of Marketing at FACTUREE, she is working to position the platform as the comprehensive one-stop-shop solution for almost all manufacturing inquiries among the target groups.
FACTUREE - a brand of cwmk GmbH - has a production network of around 2,000 partners in the fields of CNC machining, sheet metal processing, 3D printing and surface technology. As a result, the online manufacturer maintains the broadest manufacturing spectrum on the market. More than 15,000 machines are constantly available for projects, ensuring timely deliveries.
One of Chantal Kasper's declared goals at FACTUREE is to further increase brand awareness in the competitive environment. She says: "In doing so, I am focusing on making our offering more visible to both existing customers and potential new customers. My expertise lies particularly in branding, developing, and implementing media strategies and strengthening customer loyalty. This helps me to successfully drive forward marketing initiatives and contribute to the further growth of FACTUREE."
Co-founder and CMO hands over the baton at the end of February
Chantal Kasper succeeds Benjamin Schwab, who will hand over the baton at the end of February. The latter is co-founder of FACTUREE and has helped write the company's successful history to date as CMO. Benjamin Schwab says: "FACTUREE was founded from the living room in 2017 as a real early mover in the DACH region and we coined the term Online Manufacturing. Today, FACTUREE has an eight-figure turnover - and that's without investors. I am proud to have helped shape this exponential growth from the very beginning and will continue to watch it with pleasure - I have found a worthy successor in Chantal. I will always be close to the company, which will always be close to my heart, and I will remain friendly connected to it in an advisory capacity in the background."
Moritz König, Co-Founder and CEO at FACTUREE, says: "We have joined forces to launch and grow FACTUREE and have mastered significant growth steps and pains along the way. We regret that Benjamin Schwab will no longer be an active part of the team and would like to thank him for his great achievements."
