Link magazine: While demand is increasing, ProCleanroom is preparing for further growth

Source: LINK magazine 

The move to the new building beckons. And that’s a good thing, they say at ProCleanroom. The growth was there in 2022, but that it would go so fast this year? They had not expected that at the full-service provider in Valkenswaard. So there is literally a need for more space. A fresh look at the structure of the organization, to restructure processes where necessary. Because no matter how solid the foundation is, it must be future-proof. Ready to continue to serve the customer with a broad portfolio, now that the importance of cleanroom solutions that are as energy efficient as possible is greater than ever, outline the directors – and brothers – Ferguson.

Cleaner than ever – and as energy efficient as possible

It may sound a bit abstract when he speaks of ‘an outside-in-view’. Yet Mike Ferguson does not use the term just like that. This is exactly what he is all about as a business administrator: looking at an organization from a distance and then determining what it needs. It works refreshing and clarifies a lot. “Ultimately, it’s all about process efficiency. Where are the responsibilities, how are they fulfilled? Look from the process and improvements become clear.”

How and where can it be done better, faster and smarter? More efficient and cheaper, while maintaining quality? These are questions that Mike Ferguson applies to ProCleanroom, now that he has been director of operations there since September. The development, production and installation of cleanrooms and flow cabinets: it is a different environment than the organizations he previously worked for (see box). But streamlining processes can be done anywhere. And what’s more, Ferguson knows the company all too well. His father once founded it. His brother Niels, general manager since 2016, asked Mike to support him earlier this year. So both brothers have joined for a conversation. Intended to look ahead, and yet also to reflect on recent times.

Turnover almost doubled
Because the fact that things went fast in 2022 is beyond dispute. The brothers are proud to say that ProCleanroom has won an FD Gazelle is. Niels previously spoke in Link Magazine about an annual growth of 20 to 40 percent in the past five years, but this year there was a big shovel on top of that. And to such an extent that turnover almost doubled compared to the previous year. “Last year we came to 4 million euros, for 2022 the turnover will be around 7.5 million euros.”

‘We plan far ahead, and our portfolio of solutions is broad’

A few large projects certainly contribute to that result, although according to Niels, the growth also has other reasons. We are active in several industries. Consider, for example, the market for medical devices, which is growing steadily. But even more than that, the main boost for us is the developments in the high-tech sector. ASML is scaling up considerably, both in terms of capacity and its own cleanliness-grades for clean working. Suppliers have to go along with this, which has boosted the demand for our solutions.’ Macropolitical developments also have an impact, Mike adds. “With the current chip shortages, Europe wants to become less dependent on other regions. And therefore bring more production here.”

Plan far ahead
ProCleanroom also has to deal with the difficulties in the global supply chains. Take, for example, the delivery times for the air treatment systems, which customers use to regulate the temperature and humidity in their cleanrooms, according to Niels. ‘While the delivery time for those systems was ten to twelve weeks, it is currently twenty. It is up to us to anticipate this, which we do by planning our purchasing far in advance. Moreover, our portfolio of solutions is broad. As a result, we can always deliver, also by using smart technical alternatives.”

Control energy consumption
Responding to what the market needs: according to Niels, ProCleanroom also delivers when it comes to controlling energy consumption by the customer. ‘We have been focusing on sustainability for some time now, and all those applications come in handy now. For example, we use EC fans that, in addition to a low heat load, have an efficiency of more than 90 percent. That makes them very energy efficient, especially in combination with smart controllers. As a result, a customer can achieve minimal consumption during downtime and even use a closed loop: link the controllers with particle counters and a filter system is created that continuously monitors the air quality and never consumes more energy than necessary. Moreover, such a loop ensures that filters last longer, which contributes to overall lower operational costs and less raw material consumption.”

Niels also mentions the PanelBloc® wall and ceiling system for energy-saving applications. “This offers insulation that is about 55 percent more cost-effective than using EPS or glass/mineral fiber insulation. Moreover, the coating ensures that the panels require less cleaning. Add all these properties together, and the result, according to Niels, is a solution that is considered the most efficient and sustainable on the market. And that combined with products of the highest quality. We are committed to this broadly; after all, you are only as good as your weakest link.”

Preparing to move
In 2023, the brothers are aiming for a stabilization of the current turnover, accompanied by a slight growth. An almost doubling like this year is in any case not a goal. Because no matter how many possibilities: such a high flight creates the necessary challenges. Think, according to Mike, for example of the IT processes, which have to scale up with such rapid growth. In addition, the new building in Eersel is coming up. ProCleanroom is expected to move in next summer, which means that the company is expanding considerably in terms of square meters. It is up to Mike to shape the logistics process now and to ensure that the warehouse is set up as efficiently as possible. He also focuses on optimizing his own policy for Health, Safety & Environment (HSE). Moreover, he says: what about internal communication? “About four employees once worked here, now there are about twenty and there are still a few vacancies. The company has several teams, where it is of course important that they perform optimally in every area. That is why we keep an eye on the well-being of our employees: it is important that everyone feels good.’

The coming year will be challenging anyway. And dynamic too, says Mike, who, like his brother, realizes what is needed for a successful collaboration. ‘A proper division of responsibilities is essential. So let’s work together from everyone’s strength, which I believe is the basis for the best result.’

A boost with the webshop
Mike Ferguson previously worked as a consultant in the worlds of warehousing, logistics and e-commerce, for Albert Heijn, bol.com and FrieslandCampina, among others. He contributed to the design and optimization of the supply chain organization, processes and associated applications. And now uses his knowledge at ProCleanroom, where as operational director he focuses, for example, on the range of consumables and accessories. “We can expand that relatively quickly: sales are made through our webshop, where we can scale up without the need for many extra technical hands.”