To find out exactly what the purpose of buying this machine was, we knock on the door of the company's managing director Jean Oosterlinck. He outlines a story that talks about capitalising on a renewed interest in classic, luxurious patterns and thus further expanding the range, allowing customers to be served even more tailor-made. Through this new technology, Oosterlinck nv also wants to anticipate a demand that has been growing for years for engineered parquet floors, which are easier to install and less dependent on specialised craftsmen. Thanks to this investment, the company aims to offer its customers a unique and flexible product, with the added benefits of local production and a parquet product guaranteed to be of top quality.

‘The parquet market has changed significantly in recent years. In doing so, we see a clear trend towards multilayer, complemented by an increasing demand for patterns such as herringbone and Hungarian point, among others,’ Jean Oosterlinck outlines. ‘Herringbone used to be made mainly in solid wood, which is quite labour-intensive. This has to be sanded on site and requires an experienced craftsman. Engineered planks can be fully finished in advance if necessary, which means the installation becomes easier and customers see results faster. By investing in the new machine, which has been trial running since the beginning of October, we can produce these engineered patterns with great precision, with tongue and groove all around, making the installation process even easier for our customers.’

Aesthetically pleasing, easy installation
‘What we find is that many people are looking for unique, classic elements in their interiors, but with a modern twist. Herringbone and Hungarian dot patterns bring a timeless elegance, and this fits well with current interior design trends. At the same time, people want convenience and less reliance on craftsmen for complex installation. Engineered parquet planks offer great flexibility, and with our new machine line we can offer patterns that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easy to install. In the process, the installer himself no longer needs to be a full-fledged parquet installer either.’

Naturally, we would like to know how this new machine will affect the production process. What does it mean in terms of technology?

Maxim Oosterlinck:
‘This new machine line offers unparalleled accuracy. Every board that goes into the machine comes out as a fully finished product, ready for installation. The system works with tongue and groove joints that are accurate to the tenth millimetre. This means that not only do our boards fit together perfectly, but installation is as easy as with straight boards. Previously, we relied on imports from Eastern Europe, for example, but by producing in-house, we can now offer our customers a much wider range of options.’
‘This means we can meet special requests, both from the residential and project markets, because we control the production ourselves. Much imported parquet has standard sizes, but now it becomes possible to produce parquet boards in widths of up to 180 mm to longer lengths that are less common. This not only allows us to offer customisation, but also to manufacture parquet in exotic wood species, mainly afrormosia or wenge, but also afzelia, merbau, teak, iroko and jatoba. Supplemented by the increasingly popular non-exotic ash. These kinds of exotic woods are often not available in Eastern Europe, which allows us to offer something truly unique. Moreover, we can produce smaller quantities, which is advantageous for customers with a specific or small-scale project.’

Full production in Belgium
Investing in a new process almost inevitably means further differentiating yourself from the competition. How does Oosterlinck nv make a difference in quality and service?
‘Extremely important is our choice to produce in Belgium. This ensures that we can monitor every aspect of the production process, from wood selection to final finishing. This gives us a high degree of quality control that is often lacking with imports. We can offer customers solid and multilayer parquet that is not only of high quality, but can also be delivered quickly. For a finished floor, for example, the delivery time is about four to five weeks, while unfinished parquet is often available within three weeks. In addition, we can better focus on projects for professional customers such as parquet installers and joiners, up to even painting companies, who are thus less dependent on standard sizes and import restrictions.’

‘This new development is perfectly in line with our company's long-standing overall vision. We have always been focused on craftsmanship, sustainability and a long-term vision and this new production line helps us respond to the demand for quality parquet without making concessions to our Belgian standards. Everything happens under one roof, which not only makes us decisive, but also enables us to work sustainably. Our customers can count on a consistent level of service and quality that you only get when production is done locally. Instead of depending on fluctuating import prices and longer delivery times, we can offer stable delivery times and a reliable, personal service. It is an investment in both the present and the future of our company.’

Responding to changing market demand
Since one investment often triggers the next, we naturally sound out whether there are other investments in the pipeline. It turns out there aren't, but...
‘New investments are not planned for the time being,’ Jean Oosterlinck informs us. ‘After all, this new production line gives us the capacity and flexibility to respond to changing market demand, without depending on additional imports or external manufacturers. We see the current investment as an important part of our strategy to serve both the private market and projects for professionals. Although the investment was significant, we believe this decision will bring many long-term benefits to our company, not only in terms of production capacity but also in terms of customer satisfaction.’

‘To put it succinctly, those who knock on our door are assured that we remain focused on strengthening our reputation as a reliable Belgian manufacturer with an eye for quality and sustainability. As a family business, we have always invested in craftsmanship and flexibility and we will continue to do so. This technological expansion keeps us competitive and allows us to offer our customers ever-higher quality and customisation. All this without losing sight of our values and craftsmanship, precisely what has made us who we are over all these years.’