Back to our core competences
NB. Translated version below. Article from Sjællandske Erhverv - November 4th
Westrup: Back to the Core Competences
At Westrup in Slagelse they produce cleaning and sorting equipment for the agroindustry. Now the company has turned its focus back to their core competence; special seeds (flower, vegetable, etc.)
The pallet trucks drive full speed between the marked booths in the production halls, the sparks fly around the blacksmiths’ welding helmets in their workstations, all whilst you can sense the powerful smell of paint from the adjoining room where the big equipment is painted in Westrup’s well-known green brand color.
It is supposedly the low season for Westrup in Slagelse who manufacture cleaning and sorting equipment for the agroindustry, but that is not noticeable in the large production halls.
- From October up until January is usually our low-season, but at the moment we cannot feel it, not in our production and definitely not in our order-intake, which at this time already stretches into the new fiscal year.
A confirmatory statement from Westrup’s CEO, Bo Borne Jørgensen when Erhverv Sjælland meets him in one of the 10 large production facilities, that are present on Sorøvej in Slagelse.
According to him this demand manifests two key points; one that the company once again is on the right path economically, and secondly that the company has successfully shifted their focus back to their key competence: special seeds and customer-focused solutions.
Largest and most expensive manufacturer
The company, which is Indian owned by Mahyco, manufacture the majority of their cleaning and sorting equipment in Slagelse, but more than 90 percent of their machines are exported abroad.
- We have 60 employees in our production. When you look at it, the production usually starts by us receiving the raw steel, and by the time we are done there is a complete sorting machine which is then sent out into the world to our customers, explains Bo Borne Jørgensen.
Our exports go mainly to France, Germany and USA. That is a huge accomplishment and somewhat of a large footprint to leave when the company only exists of roughly 135 employees in total, Bo Borne Jørgensen reflects.
- We are present in seven countries across four continents. That is a lot of locations for a relatively small company, he adds.
Westrup has been in Slagelse, Denmark for more than 60 years – since 1958, and are one of the largest and most expensive manufacturers in regard to cleaning and sorting equipment, Bo Borne Jørgensen explains.
- We work using a very traditional production design with many different work halls, where specialized workers contribute to the final product, says Bo Borne Jørgensen.
That is the way it has always been, and something we plan to continue with, Bo Borne Jørgensen states. According to him Westrup’s ‘conservative’ route is what ensures the highest quality machines.
- It is about quality and local anchorage. The designs of the equipment are old, but they last forever. That is also the reason why we are among the best, but also are some of the most expensive in the world on the machine part, Bo Borne Jørgensen explains while he gives us a tour through the big production halls.
Back to the starting point
Bo Borne Jørgensen has been the CEO of Westrup for almost two years. He took over when there was a slight deficit in the annual accounts. But according to him, the previous economic downturn is now - for the first time in seven years - about to be reversed. The cause; Westrup has once again got a hold of the core market.
It is in our DNA that we are locally anchored and value good local craftsmanship – it is also perceived as a quality stamp out in the world. The improved finances at the same time reinforce that we got a good hold of our core market after some years with a big interest burden caused by some costly administrative decisions, Bo Bone Jørgensen tells Sjællandske.
Every month an average of 25 machines are exported – almost one every day of the month. If you ask Bo Borne Jørgensen the large demand has root in Westrup change of focus – from the more traditional customers to now focus on organic seeds and vegetable seeds.
- These seeds (organic farming) are difficult to produce, but it is also here where we excel and provide valuable solutions. It is also in this specialized area that we can offer critical knowledge and service contrary to many others, he explains.
The organic b(l)oom
- Times are with Westrup, says the CEO, and points out that the economical growth has set its mark in the production.
According to Bo Borne Jørgensen, Westrup looks into a future where organic farmers more often will seek specialized solutions for organic seed.
- Previously approximately five percent of our production lines handled organic seed or grain. Now we are moving towards 25 percent, he says.
According to Bo Borne Jørgensen there is a huge movement towards organic seed farming all over Europe, he explains.
In France, Southern Germany, Austria and of course Scandinavia there is a huge focus on organic produce, while larger companies in the market have started the transition towards organic farming as well, says Bo Borne Jørgensen, who also states that 10 years from now, Westrup must be the largest manufacturer of cleaning and sorting equipment for organic seed and grain.
- It is definitely my expectation. We are possibly already the largest providers when it comes to equipment for cleaning and sorting sowing seed. And this we must hold on to, Bo Borne Jørgensen concludes.