Article Industrial Automation | Text Valérie Couplez | Image Ekkow Fotografie
Source: Industrial Automation
You don't just become a global market leader. That is why KLINGER Belgium continuously invests in product research to further improve its extensive range of valves, seals, hoses… At the same time, the company invests in people to translate that top quality into the best possible solutions for customers. Meet the KLINGER Belgium team, which helps industrial companies every day to work more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.
KLINGER Belgium stands for top quality.
It is a team of specialists who bring knowledge and experience to the table. They are of invaluable value to customers.
The KLINGER story began 130 years ago in Austria, with the development of a level gauge. With this, the family business met the needs of the local process industry. The craftsmanship continued to expand, and in 1922 KLINGER reached a new milestone: the first ball valve. “A product that we still produce ourselves,” says Manuel Sannen, managing director for KLINGER Belgium. “We have also maintained our focus: distinguishing ourselves with solutions that go beyond the classic offering. We excel in everything that is non-standard: think of high-pressure applications, high temperatures, ATEX environments… Everything is, of course, produced according to the highest quality standards.”
Sustainability at the top
With just under fifty employees, KLINGER Belgium translates the wide range of products into concrete solutions for customers.
In 2024, KLINGER is active in sixty countries across the world. The company has 2,800 employees and achieves an annual turnover of around 650 million euros. As a family business, KLINGER pays particular attention to its unique values: innovative strength, local presence, excellence, bringing value to the customer, sustainability, and people spirit. “Sustainability, in particular, is in our DNA. Our products require little maintenance and are made to last. Moreover, they help our customers work more efficiently and with fewer losses,” says Manuel Sannen. “Our filters, for example, end up in applications to recover and reuse water. Our seals, in turn, ensure that media are not lost and that the health of people and the environment is not compromised. At the same time, we also make efforts to reduce our own impact on the environment. For instance, our fleet consists of hybrid and electric cars, we offer bicycle leasing, and we are replacing our standard lamps everywhere with LED lighting. In 2023, every KLINGER branch appointed a sustainability manager: this allows us to see where we stand and how we can contribute even more.”
Top quality, top team
The Belgian branch of KLINGER originated in 2019 from the Brussels company Achille Marchal, active in seals and valves.
With just under fifty employees, KLINGER Belgium translates the wide range of products into concrete solutions for customers. “KLINGER Belgium stands for top quality. But I am especially proud of my team of specialists, and of the knowledge and experience they bring to the table. They are of invaluable value to our customers,” Manuel Sannen continues. “In the coming years, we want to grow and expand our organization. In doing so, we will always continue to offer added value to our customers: that is who we are.”
Systematically improving processes
Anyone who sits at the table for five minutes with KLINGER’s product specialists is immediately immersed in a passion for technology.
They are all specialized in their own field: seals, expansion joints, filtration, fluid control solutions, valves for steam, process automation… By working together, they can offer their customers the maximum added value. Technical manager David Dierickx: “We always start from a concrete problem at a customer’s site. You need specialists who know what our products can do, what requirements a sector or application sets, and what the situation is regarding certificates and documentation. But you also need a close-knit team to bring all those parameters together and devise the technically best solution.” Customers are increasingly appreciating this customization, as new technologies are constantly being added to work more efficiently. “With our expertise and experience, we try to systematically improve companies’ processes. Relieving our customers of their worries and offering them a total solution is what we do it for.”
Hydrogen skid
A great example of such a customized solution is the hydrogen skid that KLINGER Belgium’s product specialists recently developed.
Elke Ghersin, product specialist Sealing: “Working sustainably and saving energy are currently very important for our customers. That is why we help look for innovative solutions. In this case, a customer wanted to stop running their oven for incinerating e-waste (electronic waste, ed.) on natural gas. Therefore, we devised a hydrogen-based solution. We took care of the engineering ourselves and also built the installation, including automation. In addition, we performed the necessary tests, for example on the gas-tightness of the seals, so that the customer was certain everything would work safely. Companies often need that bit of trust, because these are significant investments. KLINGER’s name and reputation are important in that story. Ultimately, we delivered the skid ready for use for the installation.”
KLINGER Belgium and Philippe Jans: a top team!
Now that KLINGER Belgium has built a solid foundation in Belgium, it is time to grow.
The first step will be the acquisition of the company Philippe Jans, a supplier of sustainable rubber products for industrial applications. The acquisition was initiated in 2023.
“It was a real match from day one,” confirms manager Christophe Jans. “I was looking for a partner to be able to grow further. Preferably a family business with top products and expertise. KLINGER Belgium could check everything on my wish list.”
The acquisition is also an added value for KLINGER Belgium itself, as the company can further expand its portfolio. Manuel Sannen, managing director: “We always look at how we can further improve the service to our customers. The die-cutting facility that Philippe Jans possesses is a very nice addition for us. In the service and assembly center in Ranst, they cut seals to size. Until recently, we ordered those from our sister companies. By having this in-house, we can serve customers faster.”
Broad perspective
Customers who contact KLINGER Belgium for an order or a customized solution first reach the team of key account managers.
“It is our job to clearly define the customer’s request,” says Frank Vanwynsberghe. “For simple orders, this can be done just by selecting the right product. If it is a bit more complex, we go on-site to take a look. What does the application involve? Which materials are involved? What problems is the customer encountering, and how often do they occur? If someone orders a new ball valve because the previous one failed after three months, we want to find out why. That is the only way we can truly help them.”
Colleague David Wallenus adds: “In doing so, the team keeps a very broad perspective. By not starting from products, but by mapping out the entire process, we arrive at better, more sustainable solutions. And that is the basis for a satisfied customer. We do not see ourselves as a supplier, but as a partner. The customers know their processes, we know our products. With our team of specialists, we provide the added value that has made KLINGER Belgium great.”
Strong synergy
Because both companies were already active in the same sector before the acquisition – think of sealing and gaskets – the synergy between them is very high.
“We are regulars at the same companies, but with different products. That offers a lot of possibilities for cross-selling,” says Christophe Jans. “But the most important thing is that it clicks so well in terms of mentality. We both rely on top teams of specialists who know their products and their market inside out. We are celebrating our 75th anniversary this year: the perfect time to look forward and see new opportunities. For our customers and employees, things will only improve. With this acquisition and collaboration, we are laying the foundation for a bright future. Knowledge and quality will become more important than ever in achieving a safe and sustainable industry.”