Several firsts. Specialist in machine tools packs big at Polyclose

Since 1930, Calvet has been the specialist in machine tools with a strong focus on service and maintenance. At the anniversary edition of Polyclose (August 31-September 2) there will be several firsts for the Benelux and even a real world first. Thijs van der Meeren, General Manager of Calvet Netherlands, gives us a foretaste and tells us about the planned market expansion in the Netherlands.

As a specialist in machine tools, Calvet Netherlands provides the complete picture from purchase and commissioning to service, maintenance and aftercare. "We distinguish ourselves in the market mainly with our comprehensive service and maintenance services," says Van der Meeren. "The service consists of a personal help desk for remote assistance and a qualified technical service on site. In 85 percent of cases, we manage to solve questions about or the occurrence of malfunctions on a machine remotely. Should a technician still be needed on site, we send him out with specific information and the right parts. That, too, allows us to move quickly and keep downtime to a minimum."

Extensive assortment

Calvet operates throughout the Benelux with branches in Zellik (near Brussels) and Werkendam. "We have an extensive range of processing machines for aluminum and steel profiles, ranging from sawing and manual milling machines to complete CNC machining centers from renowned brands such as Schirmer and Mecal. We also supply angle press machines, fittings tables, punching machines, length stops, roller conveyors and complete tables and inventory for workshop equipment. Absolutely unique in today's challenging times of scarcity, is that we can deliver many machines "simply" from stock. We have a nice stock of 1- and 2-head saws, angle presses and the more compact CNC machines." 

World first

At Polyclose, Calvet unpacks with several firsts. "With the Schirmer Alu BAZ, we have a world first at our booth," says Van der Meeren proudly. 

"The Rolls-Royce among walk-through machines has been expanded with a second vertical saw blade. The working range has also increased considerably (up to 300 millimeters wide) and the possibilities in terms of raveling increase enormously, so that the machine is also suitable for element construction and the machining of larger (curtain wall) profiles. Another first, albeit for the Benelux, is the Mecal MC312 Taurus CNC machine. A closed 5-axis machine with a working area of 7.60 meters and a large saw blade of 300 millimeters. With standard twelve tools and servo-controlled clamps for positioning, the compactly built machine is an asset for every aluminum processor."

Two booths

Also on display at Calvet's booth during Polyclose is the 2-head saw Mecal TDC 622 Edge Master, a 3D saw with an extremely large working range and two 600-millimeter saw blades. "The saw can both incline and pivot, ideal for creating 3D miters," explains Van der Meeren. 

"In addition, we are showing a lifting tilt table from Urban for the large, heavy sliding doors. By the way, during Polyclose we present our range not on one, but on two stands. We 'show' our extensive range of inventory and workshop equipment on a separate stand in another hall. In this way, we have the opportunity to draw additional attention to this market segment as well." 

Plastic Market

Speaking of market segments, until recently Calvet Netherlands focused exclusively on aluminum and steel. That is about to change. Or rather, that change has already begun. Van der Meeren: "The plastics market kept approaching us for support (read: service and maintenance) on machine tools, a segment we have been serving from our division in Belgium for many decades, by the way. In fact, we have the representation in Benelux for the brands Urban, Thorwesten and Pertici, leading manufacturers in the plastics world. Companies with these machines can now turn to us for support and maintenance, as well as for new machines."

Van der Meeren therefore has no shortage of ambitions. "Calvet is the market leader in the Benelux when it comes to aluminum processing machines and in Belgium also for the plastics market. In this sector, we expect to achieve nice growth in the Netherlands in the coming years."