Hygienic design with stainless steel

Just over twenty years ago, Frans Noest made his dream come true and founded the company Dertec, focusing mainly on the supply of gearboxes, gears and motors. In 2023, the company employs more than forty people, his two sons and daughter have joined the management team, and the focus is on the development, production and commissioning of hygienic drive technology. Unchanged are the passion for technology and attention to the employees, who are all equally dear to them.

Whereas in the early years Dertec operated primarily as a trading company that bought and sold drives, Noest's love of technology clearly demanded more. Drive technology would remain central. But what was a good focus and how could he develop, produce and commission his own products for that specific market? A Dutch brand with Dutch quality.

Food Industry

Knowledge and experience and the better "gut feeling" led Noest to the idea of using stainless steel gearboxes - possibly
combined with engines - to focus on the food industry. "A niche market, but an important one and moreover:
one that's fun!" With this, he says nothing too much. After all, food appeals to practically everyone. Whether it's fresh vegetables packed sliced, meat products or sweet pastries.

The food industry is a dynamic sector. On the one hand, laws and regulations are becoming increasingly stringent and there is a strong focus on hygiene during the various processes to prevent contamination. On the other hand, the degree of automation is increasing, which affects the demand for suitable drives. "We focus our products on all unprocessed, unpackaged foods," Noest points out. "Foods that are still at a stage where contamination can have negative consequences for consumer health."

Stainless steel and hygienic design

To minimize the risk of contamination, the (internationally) growing Dertec is committed to hygienic design using only stainless steel. A separate engineering department uses advanced drawing and design programs to work out every customer request in detail. Characteristic of the products are always the rounded shapes so that no dirt can remain after (high pressure) cleaning. Also, the products are free of dead spaces and, as mentioned, completely made of stainless steel. Meanwhile, the package includes forty different types of stainless steel gearboxes and various stainless steel electric motors that are supplied worldwide. From practically all countries in Western Europe to Australia, New Zealand, the US and Japan.

Even the details "add up. Seals, lubricants, hoses, push buttons ... everything is food-safe. Son Mark Noest: "Moreover, because we focus exclusively on stainless steel products for the food industry, we can never make a mistake and have only built up more knowledge in recent years. Also with regard to variators, reducers and parts for conveyor lines."

Innovation

Completely according to requirements, at Dertec every customer request is seriously considered and, if necessary, answered with a customer-specific design. About eighty percent of the gearboxes and motors are designed as standardized versions (IEC) and can be ordered "from the catalog. But the real challenge lies in the deviating issues. Son Martijn Noest: "For this we have everything in-house. We can design, 3D print prototypes and have the final product produced, but also test and trial. And where our knowledge is not sufficient, we work together with partners. For example, in the field of control technology. We are also working on truly new products, such as the energy-efficient synchronous motors in stainless steel. Energy efficiency class IE4+ and thus recouped within a reasonably short time."

People

Just as the family speaks passionately about technology, so do all the employees. Noest: "We realize very well that the reputation Dertec has built up in recent years is largely due to our team. And with the entry of the next generation
within the management, the future of Dertec is also guaranteed. As a four-member management team, our mission is pursued passionately on a daily basis. As a real family business with the accompanying standards and values, small-scale and with attention for everyone. And with a driven, committed family at the helm, this will remain so for a long time to come." Daughter Mandy Noest concludes, "Every employee is valued for who he or she is. We make no distinction in function, education, origin, age or gender. And you notice that in the atmosphere that is just right in all parts of the company. Whether you walk around the warehouse, the purchasing department, the assembly hall or the engineering department. And that seems to speak for itself, because recently we received dozens of applications via www.werkenbijdertec.nl from young people who would like to work here. And that says enough in these times..."