Innovation starts with a different way of thinking

Custom engineering has always been the foundation of machine building at Selmers. But behind the scenes, the way these solutions are developed is changing. By building smarter and more modularly, Selmers aims to remain flexible in responding to customer-specific situations while also becoming more scalable.

According to Product Manager Koen van Klooster, innovation is not only about new technology or impressive machines. “What we are really working on now is a new way of operating,” he explains. “We are moving from purely engineer-to-order towards a smart combination of modularisation and customisation.”

The SMS Transition

Within Selmers, this development is known as the SMS transition. Whether SMS stands for Selmers Modular Systems or Smart Module Systems, the principle is the same: be modular where possible, and provide customised solutions where needed.

It may sound technical, but in practice it is mainly about flexibility. “There are different ways to approach modular construction,” Koen explains. “In the past, we worked more with fixed variants: small, medium and large. That worked well when customers mainly built new plants. But the market is changing. Customers are increasingly focusing on expansions, upgrades and integration with existing systems. And that requires much more flexibility.”

He compares the new approach to a modular building system. “A bit like LEGO,” he says with a smile. “You work with standard components that can be combined flexibly. But unlike a completely fixed system, we deliberately want to maintain the freedom to adapt solutions to the customer’s specific situation.”

Scalability and Engineering

The change is driven not only by technology, but also by the growth of the organisation.

“One of the main challenges is scalability within engineering,” says Koen. “We want to continue growing without needing a proportional increase in manpower. By building smarter and more modularly, we can scale more efficiently while still offering customers solutions that perfectly fit their needs.”

For customers, this translates into shorter lead times and systems that integrate more easily with existing installations.

Modularisation, Data and Lifecycle Management

“What we see now is that several developments are coming together: modularisation, data and lifecycle management. This means we are not only delivering equipment, but also thinking about maintenance, performance and support throughout the entire lifecycle of an installation.”

According to Koen, it is precisely this combination that makes the difference. Selmers is no longer only looking at individual machines, but increasingly at the bigger picture. How can an installation remain reliable? How can data be used more intelligently? And how can customers be supported for years after commissioning?

Innovation and Mindset

Yet according to Koen, innovation is ultimately not just about systems or technology, but above all about mindset.

“Courage is an important word,” he says. “Innovation means doing something that has not been done before. That involves risks. Not everything works perfectly the first time, but that does not stop us from trying new things.”

What appeals to him most is the combination of freedom, trust and ambition. “You are given a goal, but also the trust to decide yourself how to achieve it.”

For Koen, innovation at Selmers is visible on multiple levels: in technology, in data, but also in the way teams collaborate and continue to evolve.

“It is truly part of the company’s DNA,” he says. “We are always looking for ways to improve, and we are not afraid to try something new.”